Driving through a flooded area can be a major nightmare for many drivers. Excess exposure to water can wreak serious havoc to your vehicle, affecting how it looks and its mechanics. If your car is exposed to excess water, here is a guide for you to help caution the situation.
Do Not Start The Car
Most importantly, attempt to dodge flooded areas. On the off chance that you spot water on the road, it's better to turn around and take another route. The water might be much deeper than it looks. The most common flood deaths happen when vehicles are crashed into floodwater. So the first thing to do is do not start the car. This reminder must not be taken lightly because if water gets into the engine, transmission, or fuel system, it'll only worsen the situation. Water can damage every single component inside the car; if you try to turn the engine on and more water enters, it can cause 'hydro lock,' when the pistons fail to compress and move as they should. In case the car is hydro locked, you're facing a high cost of repair bills, and in severe cases, you might be looking at getting a new car.
Drain The Water
Don't wait any further; try to drain the water in your car. The longer your car is filled up with water, the more damage it can cause. It would be best if you were as fast as possible because the mechanical components are the first things that can get damaged. Immediately it's safe to go in the car; you need to start the drying process.
Aerate The Car
Once you have effectively drained out the water from the vehicle, you should work quickly to dry out the affected areas. In the case where there is sufficient sunlight close to your vehicle's parking spot, you need to lower the windows, open all the doors, and let the warmth from the sun-dry the car. If there isn't adequate sunlight, you can leave your vehicle in an open space and utilize an electric table or standing fan for drying out the wet areas. The fan will likewise help eliminate any bad scents and will help prevent moles. If your vehicle was not seriously flooded, but the cabin stayed wet, you can utilize the radiators in your car to dry the interiors rapidly and, Whenever possible, bring the seats and cushions outside to dry.
You should also check the following.
File a Claim
The next thing for you to do is to file a claim with your insurance company. They will check if your policy covers the flood damage. Depending on your insurance coverage, the damage could very well be covered by your insurance company. They will also be able to tell you if they're going to pay to have your car fixed after checking it out or not. If there has been a large flood, car insurance companies will automatically total cars that have endured flood damage. So you might not be the only one trying to make a claim; therefore, you'll need to be patient.
They do this because there are so many shrouded issues with these vehicles that could spring up later and cost them a fortune. So, as a rule, they prefer to total flood-damaged vehicles rather than attempting to have them fixed.
Conclusion
If your car is swept into a flood, try not to panic and stay calm. Follow these means and act proactively. Don't consequently expect that everything is lost, we suggest that you have a professional take a look at the car just in case!
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