Following a record of high rainfall in many regions of the country, flooding has affected vehicles. It is very important for those who are considering buying used vehicles to find out about car maintenance and check for signs of water intrusion or contamination, advice from the non-profit Car Care Board.
"Buying used vehicles and then knowing that floods have been damaged can be very problematic and cause expensive problems on the road. Even worse, these vehicles can be unhealthy to be occupied by fungi and bacteria growing on carpets and ventilation systems," explained Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.
The Car Care Board and Car Care Professional Network (CCPN), a group of automotive service providers, say it all depends on how much water the vehicle takes and where it can be reached. They recommend these five steps to determine whether a vehicle has been damaged by flooding:
Take the sniff test
Close all windows and doors and let the car sit for about five minutes. Then, open the door and breathe. Mushrooms and mushrooms have a very distinctive aroma and do not take long for the aroma to emerge by itself.
Try the touch test
Take a paper towel and press it at low points on the carpet. Paper towels will emit moisture and reveal if the carpet is wet under the surface. Some carpets have a thickness of several inches to protect from heat and sound. If the tissue is wet, that means water enters the car.
Investigate the interior
Look under the seat and run for corrosion and rust and look for exposed metal that is not treated. There are metal springs under the usually unpainted front seat. If it's rusty, it's a sign that the inside is wet. Look for mud and debris in places that do not belong to them.
Check the instrument panel
Turn on the key and do the bulb test. Make sure each bulb lights up. If a system has a problem, removing the warning bulb can hide it. Often times, vehicles that experience flooding experience damage to their anti-brake systems and airbags. If the light is on and off after the bulb test, it is an indicator that the system is on and has no active errors.
Take it to professionals
Let service and repair technicians inspect your vehicle. He can lift the car and look down to see if there is mud, sticks or stones in the suspension. A professional can check oil in a differential to make sure they don't contain water. Spend a few dollars to see it to give you peace of mind.
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