7 Car Care Tips after Flooding, Interior Inspection is Just as Important
Car maintenance after flooding requires patience and precision. This is because the water and mud brought by the flood can damage the engine and interior of the car, leading to expensive repairs when taken to the workshop.
However, you can check it yourself first after the car is submerged in floodwater before taking it to the workshop. Especially if the submersion is not too severe, to minimize costs.
So, what should you know for the initial check when your car is affected by flooding? You can follow these 7 tips for car maintenance after flooding to avoid panic when the rainy season arrives and the risk of flooding is relatively high.
Do Not Start the Car!
One taboo for a car that has just been flooded is not to start it! Starting the car's engine is the biggest mistake as it can cause a short circuit. If you really want to move the car to the side, it’s better to push it without starting it.
Immediately Disconnect the Battery Cables
In addition to not starting the car engine, you should quickly disconnect the battery cables. This can help avoid other short circuits in the engine so that the electronic components in the car do not get damaged or, if damaged, the impact will be minimized.
Deactivate the Handbrake
Just like leaving a car idle for a long time because you have to travel out of town, you should also deactivate the handbrake as a maintenance effort after flooding.
Deactivating the handbrake is to prevent the brake pads from sticking. If your car is manual, shift the gear to first gear to keep the car safe and not carried away by the current if the flood intensity is very high. For automatic cars, shift the gear to the stop position.
Drain the Fuel Tank Clean
The next self-maintenance after flooding is to drain the fuel tank completely. Especially if the flood is very high, the fuel tank is certainly mixed with water and must be cleaned thoroughly.
This is because if floodwater enters the fuel tank, the tank can rust. A rusty fuel tank will definitely disrupt the ignition system and in the long run, the tank will experience leaks.
Dry the Ignition Components
Spark plugs, carburetors, coils, air filters, distributor cables, and alternators must be dried as they are prone to damage if left too long after being exposed to floodwater. Carefully check whether these components are still functioning well or not.
If overlooked, these components can suffer damage and cause the car to break down easily on the road.
Check the Car Interior in Detail
Equally important, the car interior must also be checked and cleaned to ensure safety. It’s better to move the car to a place where it can get direct sunlight to help dry the wet interior parts.
Open the doors, hood, windows, and trunk so that the interior can dry quickly. The carpet on the car floor should also be removed. Once dry, proceed with further cleaning as floodwater certainly brings mud and makes the interior look messy.
Ensure the Air Filter is Normal
Check the condition of the air filter, whether it is still normal or has issues due to flooding. This check is one of the essential steps for self-maintenance after flooding.
Open the air filter box and check its condition to see if it is wet or not. If it is wet, the air filter must be replaced with a new one.
Go to the Workshop for Further Checks
These are the 7 tips for car maintenance after flooding that you can do yourself before going to the workshop. Once everything is confirmed safe, then take the car to the workshop for further checks.
Also read: How to Handle a Car Submerged in Floodwater Along with Estimated Service Costs
This check includes oil changes, air filter replacements, and other engine inspections. Do not let the interval between checks be too long since the flooding occurred to save the engine!
Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa
