7 Things To Do If Your Car Is Trapped In A Flood
In Malaysia, it is currently the monsoon season, which means that there are plenty of rain happening. Huge rainfall means flooding, which wreaks havoc on the streets in terms of traffic. But sometimes, when you’re stuck in a situation where you cannot escape from the floods in front of you, your car is the one who will be affected the most.
Image from: theSunDaily (7 Things To Do If Your Car Is Trapped In A Flood)
Immersion in water can really mess up a car, especially its engine, electrical system, and interior. So here are 10 things you should do to assess and address the damage if your car has been through flood waters.
1. Do not start your engine
Humans are weird creatures. We always tend to try out things that aren’t right for us. For example, it’s really tempting to start your engine again to see if your car is still working. But if there is water in the engine, it could really destroy your engine beyond repair. So no matter how tempting it is, don’t start your engine.
2. See how deep your car has been submerged
Image from: Malay Mail (7 Things To Do If Your Car Is Trapped In A Flood)
In Malaysia, when there is flooding, there is bound to be mud or other debris. Use this as a guide to see where the waterline is. If you cannot see the water rising above the bottom of your car, you’re probably safe. However, if you see that it has entered into the car interior, it would be good to get it towed to a mechanic to see what the damage is.
3. Clean and dry your interior
Image from: SAYS (7 Things To Do If Your Car Is Trapped In A Flood)
You should do this as quickly as possible, as you will want to prevent mold from forming. Open the doors and windows to air out your car (or it’ll stink!) and dry out all the water possible. You can also start to replace anything that got wet, like carpets, floor mats, door panels, seats and so on.
4. Check the oil and air cleaner
If you see droplets of water on the dipstick or the level of the oil is high, or if the air filter has water in it, do not attempt to start the engine. This may lead to a damaged engine or even the chance of your engine bursting into flames. If in doubt, check with your mechanic.
5. Check your car’s electrical systems
Image from: State Farm (7 Things To Do If Your Car Is Trapped In A Flood)
If your car engine is okay to start, it’s time to check everything electrical: headlights, turn signals, air conditioning, stereo, power locks, windows and seats, even the interior lights. If you note anything even slightly amiss, like the way the car runs or the transmission shifts, it could point to a sign of electrical trouble.
6. Check your fluids
Check your fuel systems to make sure that there is no water damage. Fuel systems in newer model cars are usually sealed, but older cars may need to have their fuel systems drained. Brake, clutch, power steering and coolant reservoirs should be checked water damage. Again, it would be recommended that you do this only if you know what you’re doing. If you don’t, have a mechanic take a look at it.
7. Check your tires
Image from: Car Max (7 Things To Do If Your Car Is Trapped In A Flood)
It’s always a good idea to check your tires before you drive your car, because there may be debris lodged inside your wheels, brakes and underbody. Attempting to drive off with debris potentially underneath your car may cause internal damage and safety issues for your car. You can clean your wheels first before driving off to be extra safe.
We would like to wish everyone a safe drive on these roads, especially during this rainy season. What do you usually do when you’re stuck in a flood? Leave a comment below!