Tags: Automobiles, Car Accessories
By KC Santos
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA – The ordeal of some Filipinos whose cars were submerged by Typhoon Ondoy a year ago serves as a precautionary reminder this rainy season.
Due to constant rains, floods are getting to be a common occurrence in many areas these days. Vehicles may have been driven in flood waters or high water, which may cause serious damage without the owner realizing it.
A car owner or vehicle operator’s first concern is how much water the vehicle took in and where it reached.
To ensure vehicle safety and efficiency, Certified Philippines, a division of NCH Corporation, which manufactures a wide range of products for water-damaged vehicles, offers these helpful tips for car owners.
- Inspect suspension joints and lubricate them as needed. Even if vehicles are lubricated at the factory for life, submersion in water may cause these joints to rust sooner than you think.
- Check the exterior lights for moisture and water. Replace headlights and bulbs that shows signs of water intrusion.
- Examine the undercarriage, bumpers, radiator area and frame for mud, dirt and debris after driving through floods. To avoid rust, wash and clean these areas as soon as possible.
- Check the vehicle’s carpets, upholstery and doors and trim panels for dampness. Water damage to these areas immediately depreciate the value of the vehicle. Dry the carpet thoroughly and sprinkle baking soda on it to prevent mildew and nasty odors. Seat brackets, interior motors and modules could also have been attacked by rust and may not operate properly. Dry them thoroughly and lubricate hinges to fight off rust.
- Water damage may also affect the brake system. Let a competent mechanic inspect this area thoroughly.
- Check the air filter to see if it has been affected by water. Replace the air filter and change the oil, if necessary.
- If there are abnormal noises while the engine is running, this is a sign of car water damage. Identify where the noise is coming from and take the vehicle to a mechanic soonest. Pay attention to the alternator, serpentine belt, starter, power steering unit, air conditioner and wheel bearings.
- Car water damage can seriously affect engine oil and gear oils or transmission fluids, including electrical plugs and wires. First check the fluids. If they look milky, diluted, and do not have their original color, they have been badly affected and the vehicle should be towed to the repair shop.
Driving a vehicle with water present may damage internal parts and require extensive overhaul or repairs. Flood-damaged cars can cause the owner a minimum of P25,000 to as high as P200,000 depending on the amount of damage.
Car owners are advised to invest in products for water-damaged vehicles. There is now an array of car products available in the market that can keep vehicles from getting corroded by floods.
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