Learn how to deal with accidental heavy rain and vehicle flood damage!
I thought it was the rainy season and the typhoon season, but this time, torrential downpours hit and cause a lot of damage. In addition to casualties, countless property damage is occurring. Among them, roads are flooded and people leave their vehicles behind and go home one after another.
In low-lying areas, many vehicles were flooded due to flooding of underground parking lots and rivers. What should I do if my vehicle is flooded while using the rental service? Here's how to deal with vehicle flooding.
The road is being flooded!
Never enter even when the water level looks low, as the water can rise rapidly. You must move the vehicle quickly to a safe place before the vehicle's tires are more than 2/3 locked. If there is no way to detour and flooding is proceeding from the rear and you must pass there, proceed slowly without stopping at a low speed of 20 km. When driving at high speeds, water can enter the engine, and when it stops, water can flow back into the exhaust.
After exiting the flooded area, drive after checking the engine oil level and A-Cleaner for water, and press the brakes frequently so that the wet brake pads and discs can be dried by frictional heat.
After that, it is important to undergo a safety check.
The car was flooded while driving!
It is best to avoid places where water overflows, but there are cases when this is not possible. In that case, you must first turn off the ignition of the vehicle. It is always a good idea to get out of the vehicle with the key without restarting the engine.
In the case of an electric vehicle, there is a moisture sensor that cuts off the power by itself, so you just need to remove the key and evacuate. Electric vehicles especially have high-voltage wires located inside the bonnet, so you should never open the bonnet and look directly into the water when submerged.
Parked vehicles are flooding!
If a parked vehicle is flooded without moving parking, you must never start the engine. If water gets into the engine after starting it, it may cause a malfunction. In addition, since seawater conducts electricity, there is a risk of fire as well as component failure. The gear must be in neutral and a person must push to move or request tow.
Stuck inside a flooded vehicle!
If the vehicle is flooded and the vehicle door does not open, you must break the window to escape. If you have an emergency escape hammer, you can use it, but if you do not have it, it may be easier to break the corner of the windshield with a metal such as a neck support bar or a seat belt fastening device for the driver's or passenger's seat.
However, if your car's windows just don't break, don't panic and wait until the inside of the car is filled with water. Normally, the door opens easily when the water level difference between the inside and the outside is less than 30cm.
The car was flooded in the underpass!
If a vehicle is flooded in an underpass, you must escape from the vehicle and evacuate to a higher place. The water can blow up in an instant, so you need to move quickly and wait for the rescue.
How to manage the vehicle after flooding?
After the water inside is completely dry, you can proceed with proper inspection and repair. It usually takes at least 7 days, but it may take longer depending on the circumstances. The point here is that even if it looks fine from the outside, it must be inspected. Vehicle interior parts are often corroded or wet and should be checked.