HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAR AFTER FLOODING
Floods have struck Malaysia. Seven Malaysian states have been affected by floods caused by heavy rain, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan. More than 125,000 people have been hit by torrential rain, the National Disaster reported. Thousands of people have been evacuated.
Tens of thousands of Malaysians were forced to flee their homes as a result of the country’s worst floods in years, which also devastated property.
Our Malaysian family and friends have been deeply touched by the news. Please don’t let this calamity take everything away from us at once. Keep the faith we’ve built in each other.
Seeing floods, the colour of the TehTarik may sound like a good enough reason to worry, but this is precisely what you should avoid during a flood. One of the most frightening events for any vehicle owner is a flood. Although avoiding flood-affected regions is preferable to staying indoors, this isn’t always practicable.
Here are some survival tips for you to follow:
- DRY ALL PARTS OF THE CAR – To avoid damage, thoroughly dry all elements of the vehicle, particularly those in the ignition system, such as the spark plug, alternator, air filter, coil, and wires.You can do this yourself if you have a hairdryer. After that, check to see if the system functions properly to avoid a breakdown while driving.
- REPLACE OIL – The engine of a car is largely designed to be waterproof and coated with a heat-resistant sealant. In the case of a flood, it is unlikely that water will enter the engine. However, if the car has previously overheated, a water break is likely. If your engine’s jacket bends as a result of overheating, water is more likely to enter the combustion chamber.
- EMPTY THE FUEL TANK – Fuel will not mix well with water, and you may have additional issues. If the tank is left uncontrolled for an extended period of time after flooding, rust may begin to emerge and erode the tank’s inside – the major source of gasoline leaks and the reason why emptying your fuel tank after flooding is critical.
- REMOVE BATTERY CABLES – Not only road flooding but your car may also get trapped in the water when parked. Immediately remove the battery cables to avoid short circuits and damage to the car’s electrical components.
- DON’T START THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR CAR HAS BEEN SUBMERGED!
If the car has been in a flood, it’s advisable not to start the engine to prevent a short-circuit in the car. The floodwaters might have gone into the engine and the electrical of the car.
*Last but not least, remember to clean the cushions and air filter to prevent a musty smell.
While these five steps can generally be done at home, never hesitate to bring your car to a repair shop if you feel more comfortable doing so, or if the car exhibits serious problems.
