When the rainy season arrives, flooding is often a problem we experience. Not only does it dirty the house, floods can also damage our beloved car. For this reason, we need to immediately repair cars that have been submerged in flooding.
If not, the car will actually be damaged and difficult to repair. In fact, it can cost us a lot of money to repair components that have been submerged in flood water.
What should you do if your car is submerged in floodwater?
If your car is flooded, there are several steps you must take as first aid, such as the following.
1. Not starting the car engine
Avoid starting the car engine after being submerged in water. This method can prevent damage to components in the car, including the engine and transmission. If you force the engine to start, a lot of water will enter it.
This is what can cause more serious damage, such as short circuits and piston damage, which is usually called “hydrolock”.
If a hydrolock occurs, then you must be prepared to incur very high repair costs. This can cause the car to suffer serious damage and the worst case is a complete engine failure.
2. Remove Water Quickly
The longer you let the water sit in the car, the more damage the vehicle’s cables and components will cause. For this reason, you have to move quickly to remove the puddle of water in the car.
Use a vacuum that can absorb both dry and wet material to help remove puddles quickly. Alternatively, you can use a towel to absorb the water and remove it from the car.
3. Check the engine parts
After removing the water from the car, now is the time to check the engine. The first thing you need to check is to find out whether water has entered the oil tank or not. You can use a dipstick.
If water has entered the tank, the color of the oil which was previously clear and shiny will change to milky white or coffee milk. The oil viscosity level will also appear to change.
If this happens, avoid starting the car because it can damage the cylinders in the engine. It’s better to immediately take your car to a repair shop to have it checked directly by a professional mechanic. So, the car will not be further damaged.
4. Check Electrical Components
To find out whether the electrical components are still functioning properly, you can do a test.
This is done by turning on the car’s headlights, rear lights, power windows, turn signals, power locks, lights in the cabin, AC and other components connected by cables.
You should also test the handbrake, clutch, steering, and fluid reservoir. If one of these components or parts is not functioning properly, immediately ask a mechanic to check your vehicle as quickly as possible.
5. Leave the ventilation and car doors open
After successfully removing the water from the cabin and other areas in the car, you must work as quickly as possible to dry the interior of the car that has been affected by the flood water.
Then, take the car to a warm area while opening all the car doors. So, there is air and heat from the sun that enters evenly to dry the car.
If there is no sunlight, you can use a fan to dry damp areas. You can buy the product below. This method can also help eliminate unpleasant odors and keep mold and mildew away.
6. Replacing Vehicle Components
If the vehicle has been flooded, the smell of the car will become unpleasant. Therefore, you must replace damp components as soon as possible, such as floor mats, carpets, upholstery, and door panels that have absorbed water.
Remove your car seat and dry it in the sun. Open all the car doors to give the cabin more ventilation. To get rid of mold and odor, you can use baking soda.
If you can no longer use the car carpet, you can buy a new one, as we recommend below.
7. Claiming Insurance
After your car has been checked by a mechanic, immediately claim vehicle insurance to evaluate whether the vehicle needs to be repaired or replaced.
If the cost of repairing a vehicle is greater than the cost of buying a new one, then it’s a good idea to choose a new vehicle or a used vehicle in good condition.
Conclusion
Those are some tips for dealing with a car that has been submerged in floodwater. Before problems caused by flooding further damage your car, it is better to immediately do the things above and take it to the nearest car repair shop. So, your car can be used again.