FLOOD ALERT: Prevention, Cure, & Tips
FLOOD ALERT: What should I do? Where do I go? Who do I find?
It’s the time of the year again when Mother Nature starts working overtime to water Malaysia. Some people may think that it’s the best time of the year to enjoy chilly weather, but for car owners, it could possibly be a nightmare.
Let’s take a look at one of the most severe floods here in the Peninsula Malaysia that marked a historical record of natural disaster.
Photo credit: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/21/do-not-start-car-during-and-after-floods
What should you do if your car is caught in a flood? –
1) Turn off your engine. If the water level is high enough to reach the floor of your vehicle, it is most likely possible for the water to get inside the vehicle. Hence, whatever’s underneath the car would be soaked with muddy water, and water may enter the exhaust pipe which would enter the internal parts of the car especially when the water gets to the car engine through the exhaust pipe, the engine would stop functioning and would be damaged.
2) Take note of the water level. It would greatly assist the repair centre in examining the condition of the car and quickly identifying the damaged parts of your car.
3) Bring along all your important/valuable belongings and get out of the car. Staying inside the car would risk being swept away by the underwater current. Also, if your car is submerged and you did not manage to escape on time, Stay calm and wait for the car to fill with water. Once the car is full, you’ll be able to open a door. (The water pressure needs to be equalised between the outside and inside of the car for the door to open.) Hold your breath and swim to the surface.
What to do after a flood? –
- Do not attempt to start a flooded car. If there is water in the engine, you could cause even more damage. Cleaning and drying out a submerged car would cost RM2,000 to RM5,000. But if you try to start the engine of a flooded car, you can expect the cost to skyrocket to over RM30,000.
- Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any standing water.
- Use towels to absorb water that may have soaked into the seats and cushions.
- Use dehumidifiers and fans, if possible.
- File a claim with your auto insurance company.
Finally, HOW TO SPOT A DAMAGED CAR IN SECOND HAND CAR SHOWROOM?
- Pull the seatbelt all the way until the end and check the inner trimming to see if it is damp or filled with mud.
- The smell won’t lie. If the car smells nasty or is bombard with all sorts of car fresheners, you know why!
- Check the engine oil dipstick and see if there’s water residue inside the engine OR open the lid to see the colour of the engine oil.
- Look out for rusty metal parts or car parts that have watermarks. Well technically if the engine is in contact with any form of water, it’s probably doomed…
- If the air filter is watery, brownish in colour, damp, please consider other better cars!
If you find these article useful and insightful, feel free to like and share it to your family and friends for safety purposes.
Or if you have other tips to share, leave a comment or tag someone you love to encourage them to read it too!
In the mean time, stay safe and drive safe. Stay at home more often to avoid being stuck in the jam or risking your car when it’s pouring!
