10 Things to Do When the Car is Flooded - Drivers Need to Remember

 Do not try to start the engine, check the fluid system, engine air filter are the first things to do when the car is submerged in a sea of water.

Cars submerged in water can destroy many parts of the vehicle, especially the engine, electrical system and interior. For sedans, hatchbacks or urban crossovers, water can be flooded over half the wheel when it can cause damage to the vehicle. In this case, the driver should take the 10 steps below to identify the damage and fix it.

1. Do not try to start the engine

When the car is flooded, turn on the key and try once to see if the car can start the engine or not. If you can't, ignore the thought of trying to start the engine a few more times because the harder you try, the more damage the car will do, especially when water gets into the engine causing hydroplaning. Move the vehicle to a dry place and call for help.

2. Determination of flooded water level

Mud and small pieces of garbage will stick to the body of the car to create a marking line, based on that to determine the maximum depth of water that the car is flooded. If the water is no more than the bottom edge of the door, you can rest assured that your car will not have any problems. Usually, insurance companies start calculating flood damage when the water level hits the dashboard.

3. Call the insurance company

Most of the current car body insurance packages have provisions for damage when flooded, depending on the level of insurance that the owner buys, with hydroplaning or without hydroplaning... Call the insurance company as soon as the car has a problem to carry out the procedures to prove the facts, repair or replace as soon as possible.

4. Dry the interior

If water gets into the interior, the possibility of destruction will be very fast. So, after taking your car out of the water, open all the doors to let the water out. Use the tools you can, including a towel, to absorb any remaining standing water. Then use a large fan and dryer to dry the basic furniture before the rescue comes to take it to the garage.

5. Check engine oil and air filter

Open the bonnet and observe, if there is a lot of standing water in the air filter, engine or oil tank, there is a danger that your car has got water in the engine. For ordinary people who do not know about technology, the best way is for a technician to check and repair.

6. Check other liquids

With new cars, the system of fluids is tightly sealed, but on older cars there is still a risk of leakage. Therefore, in addition to engine oil, it is necessary to check other fluids such as brake fluid, power steering fluid, and cool water.

7. Check the electrical system

If the car can be started, check all electrical components such as headlights, turn signals, A/C, audio, door locks, power windows, trunk opening, seat adjustments, mirrors even interior lights. If there is any part that does not work smoothly, it is a sign of water causing the electrical system to flicker.

8. Check tires, wheels

Before moving, carefully check tires, wheels, and brakes for debris, dirt, metal, glass or not. Mud entering the brake disc reduces brake efficiency and damages when traveling for a long time. It is best to wash the car thoroughly in this area.

9. If in doubt, replace

If your car has not been maintained or repaired for a long time, it is time to check it again and it is flooded, it is best to replace the easily damaged parts as mentioned above. A car that is flooded with water may not cause problems right away for a few days, but it may take up to a month to get sick, so "be careful not to worry".

10. Beware of flooded cars

This last item is for those who intend to buy a used car. Many drivers will refurbish the vehicle to give it a new look from the outside for sale while hiding its history of flooding. Therefore, it is best to buy a used car when you know the vehicle's history, otherwise it is not necessary to check it at a reputable facility.

Your car running in the rainy season is very dangerous, you need to know about hydroplaning, it's a phenomenon that occurs when a layer of water builds up between the wheels and the road surface, resulting in a loss of traction that renders the vehicle unresponsive to control inputs.

Article source: https://tireer.com/what-is-hydroplaning/