First action for flooded car to save your money
Entering the rainy season is often accompanied by flooding events. This flood is sometimes unexpected, such as the flood that occurs at night when everyone is fast asleep until they wake up only when the flood starts to grow.
When the flood gets bigger, sometimes we don't have time to move parked cars, either in the garage or parked on the side of the road, so that the big flood finally submerges them.
Of course, the flood-hit car had to be taken to the workshop for repairs and cleaning up the flood remnants, which generally, a flooded car repair may cost a lot of money. Below is the first action you can do for a flooded car repair to save your money from the expensive repair cost.
1. Never start the engine
After a car is submerged in a major flood, the first precaution is never to start the car's engine, even for a moment. Yes, a flooded car usually still keeps water inside the engine cylinder.
This condition is what you must be aware of. The reason is when the water is in the engine cylinder, and you start the engine. There will be a water hammer event inside your car's engine that can cause worse damage to your car's engine.
Therefore, it would be better to push the car manually if you want to change its position because starting the engine will only increase the repair cost even more.
2. Disconnect the battery cables
After the car is submerged in a big flood, the next precaution is to remove the cable connected to the car battery. Disconnecting the battery cables needs to prevent short circuits and damage to other electrical components in the car.
By removing the cable from the car's battery, the car's electrical components such as the Engine Control Unit, Transmission Control Unit, EPS Control Unit, Immobilizer Control Unit, and others will prevent short circuits.
A short circuit when these components are exposed to water can damage the electronic components inside. And of course, all these control units are very expensive. As a result, the weight of a flooded car repair cost will increase. Removing the car battery cable is an action you need to avoid the car's damage to the electrical components.
Also read :3. Secure the car's position and lock all doors manually
After the car is flooded, the next precaution is to secure the car's position and lock all doors manually. It is necessary to maintain the car safely without disturbing the road and traffic position if your car is right on the side of the road.
4. Contact a trusted auto repair shop
The last step as a precaution for the flooded car is to contact a trusted repair shop. Try to choose an auto repair shop that provides towing services or a carrying car crane. It makes your dealings with the workshop easier later without having to spend money first to pay for a tow service.