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Floods are always a serious threat to motorbike riders and car drivers, but the latter often experience the worst. Every driver does their best to avoid floods because their cars can be badly damaged afterward.
When a car gets caught in the flood, the engine and electronics can be damaged, plus it can cause rust and leaks.
Even after the flood water is drained, the car will smell bad from dirty water inside. If it’s not cleaned up immediately, mold and rust can appear.
Drivers always try to avoid driving through floods, especially when the water is deep. But there are times when cars get stuck in floods. In this situation, what should you do?
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Check out some steps below to diminish the issues after a car gets flooded.
Firstly, move the car to a safer place. Avoid starting the car immediately to prevent water from entering the engine, an issue known as water hammer.
It’s better to push the car to a safe spot without starting the engine. If you need to take it to a car repair shop, you can use a tow truck.
Secondly, disconnect the battery cables from their terminals. Since the battery powers the car’s electrical parts, this step is a must to prevent short circuits. If the battery isn’t immediately disconnected after the car gets flooded, the short circuit risk is higher.
Once the car is safe, release the handbrake to prevent the pads from sticking. For manual cars, instead of relying on the handbrake, rocks are used to stop the wheels and put the car in first gear. For automatic cars, just move the gear lever to P.
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Next, dry the ignition components in the car, such as spark plugs, coils, and others. They can be damaged if started when wet. By quickly handling it, you can reduce the risk of possible damage.
When flooded, water can get into the gas tank and mix with the fuel. This can cause issues like rust in the tank and disrupt the car’s ignition.
If not fixed quickly, the inner part of the tank can also rust, which can lead to gas leaks. Therefore, drain the fuel tank.
Oil likely mixes with water when a car gets flooded. You can see this when the oil turns a brownish-white color. Water in the oil damages the lubricant, preventing it from lubricating the parts.
So, if you see any signs of color change in all the old oils, replace them with new ones, such as engine oil, transmission, axle, brake fluid, and power steering fluid.
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To keep the exterior and interior of the car from getting moldy or rusty, clean and dry the car well. Open all car parts, like the trunk, windows, hood, and doors. Take out the carpet and wash it with soap.
Make sure to clean the car seats as well. If needed, take off the door panels for better cleaning. If it’s too hard, you can call a professional car cleaning service.
You still need to repair your car even after all the steps above. You can call a towing service to take the car to a car repair shop. After getting flooded, the car needs more work at such a shop to fix it thoroughly.
When the car has to stay in there for a long time and needs a replacement, renting a car can be the solution. But don’t choose the wrong one. Ensure the rental provider is professional and reputable, like TRAC.
TRAC is a subsidiary of PT Serasi Autoraya (SERA) and part of the Astra Group. As a pioneer in vehicle rental services in Indonesia, TRAC offers comprehensive transportation solutions for individual and corporate clients.
TRAC provides a wide range of vehicles for daily and long-term rental. You can rent a fuel-efficient car for your daily commute. Choose from fuel-efficient options like the Avanza, Xenia, Ertiga, Agya, Brio, Sigra, and Xpander.
For hatchbacks or sedans, you have options such as the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla Altis, and BMW 5 Series.
For MPVs, you might want to look at the Daihatsu Gran Max, Toyota Alphard, or Toyota Vellfire. If you prefer SUVs, choose from models like the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero, BMW X6, and Toyota Land Cruiser.
TRAC guarantees that all vehicles are in excellent condition and ready to use, including the latest models. With 24-hour customer support, you can enjoy a hassle-free rental experience.
Booking your rental car is a breeze. Visit the homepage of the TRAC website or use the TRACtoGo app, available on the Play Store and App Store.