It is commonplace to have old cars falter and stop and modern vehicles wade through deep water. Many automobile experts, however, say that there is no basis to the conception that certain cars and two-wheelers get stalled while others don't. "It all comes down to how you drive," say experts.

Since the distribution cup of a motorcar is its most vulnerable part during rains (see inset), mechanics suggest measures to protect it. There are other areas too that need to be saved. "If the silencer outlet is at a lower level than water, it will stall the vehicle," adds Prof Harinder Jeet Singh Saluja of Punjab Engineering College. "The best way is to put your vehicle on the maximum torque which can be done by driving the vehicle in the first gear at maximum throttle."

Then there are other factors. "The fact is that even if you drive most cautiously, you can get stalled," says Kishie Singh, an automobile expert and writer. "The truck or a bus coming from the opposite direction could splash water on the engine of your car."

Of course, vehicles such as a Gypsy, an "off-road" vehicle, don't normally get hauled up in water. "It is made to be driven on slush, mud and water. Its distribution is also at a very high level," adds Kishie Singh.

Rajesh Kumar, a mechanic in Sector 21, says that diesel vehicles, unlike petrol-driven vehicles, don't have electric cabling, which puts them in an advantageous position.

"Old Indian cars like Ambassador and Padmini also have poor electric wiring. The distribution of the newer breed of vehicles is very water-tight and water-proof," says Surinder Singh, a car mechanic in Sector 28.

Ingenious mechanics and enterprising drivers have devised their own precautions: Explains one of them: "Before you drive out, and if you have an old-model car, use a polythene bag to cover the distribution cup tightly with rubber bands from above and below because the contact breaker seal is placed right in the centre."

"Silicon sprays, which make the electricals water-resistant, are very useful," says Kishie Singh. "You can also cover your car's engine with plastic sheets when it's raining."

Prof Saluja adds that gaskets or rubber seals put over the distributions also don't allow water in.

But should your car stall, what do you do? Explains a mechanic: "Remove the distribution cup, which is usually held by two clips. Wipe with soft linen or tissue paper to remove vapour beads which will be apparent. Replace the cup. The engine should start up."

Certain other problems like aquaplaning which also occur during rains are hard to handle. Most cars have disc brakes on the front wheels and hydraulic brakes on the rear wheels. Now, if the brake leather, or the disc brakes, become wet, it causes temporary lubrication which prevents effective braking. If the car tyres are well-worn, the film of water on the road builds up in front of them and underneath them and actually lifts them off road surface. When this (known as aquaplaning) occurs, the driver loses control.

In such a situation, experts caution against stamping harder on the brake. They suggest shifting to a lower gear. If the car stalls, wait till the sun is out, or a few hours after downpour, pump brakes a couple of times which, because of friction heat, will be restored to their normal functioning.