How to Overcome a Car Submerged in Flood
Heavy rains hit Jakarta and its surroundings from early December to mid-January 2022. This heavy rain caused several areas in Jakarta to be flooded. At several points in Kemang, South Jakarta, many cars were even flooded. Well, about this flooded car needs to be handled carefully. If mishandled, the car may be seriously damaged. Expert Technician from Wormer Matic, Specialist Workshop for Automatic Transmission & Matic Cars, Hermas Prabowo, shares tips for dealing with flooded cars, especially those with automatic transmissions. "Do not start the car that is submerged in a flood. The engine may fall out," wrote Hermas on his personal Facebook account. According to Herman, the rattling sound followed by the engine shutting off indicates that the car is seriously damaged. "The engine collapsed," he said. He then wrote that the nature of water can change form but cannot be compressed (compressed). It is different with air. If water enters the combustion chamber, he continued, and continues to be compressed by starting the engine, the piston can be damaged. The piston arm is bent or broken, the crankshaft is damaged, the block and cylinder head may crack. "Many components are damaged," he said. He again reminded the owners of flooded vehicles not to start the engine, but to take it to the nearest repair shop for professional mechanical handling. According to Herman, modern cars are generally equipped with complex electrical systems. All of them have control modules that work electrically, both for engines, AT, ABS, airbags, power steering, lights, instrument clusters, and so on. "What the owner can do is prevent further damage from occurring," he said.
The following are six tips for dealing with flooded cars (automatic cars):
1. Slide the lever to N by pressing the shift lock.
2. Pull the car from the flooded area as soon as possible, when conditions allow. The longer it is submerged, the more severe the potential damage.
3.Never try to start the car engine. Even if it's just for a moment or trial and error.
4. Do not jump the battery either. Disconnect the battery connector at the negative pole. To avoid other adverse effects on the electrical system. Just get to point 3. Next is the work of a professional workshop/mechanic.
5. Try not to try to handle anything yourself. The automatic car is fully controlled by the electric system. Incorrect initial handling can make the damage widespread and severe.
6. Immediately call towing, and take the automatic car to a repair shop who knows very well the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and computer systems of automatic cars. Don't speculate. Look for a truly professional. Avoid working at home, because limited tools such as air compressors, electrical tools and scan tools make work results not optimal. With proper handling and not too late, your automatic car can be saved without great expense and serious damage.Meanwhile, there are a few more tips if the vehicle is flooded
A.Immediately Remove the Negative Battery Cable
The first and most important step is to secure the electricity in the car by removing the negative cable in the battery. Water is a good conductor of electricity so it can cause short circuits or short circuits that have the potential to cause damage to electrical components in the car, from lights to audio accessories in the car.
B.Do not start the engine when submerged in water
Don't even start the engine when it's submerged in water. When you start a submerged engine, water will easily enter and flood the engine. In addition to causing a short circuit in the battery, water will also prevent the engine from working normally even if it has been drained. If you are planning to move it to another place, it is highly recommended to just push it.
C.Use Rocks to Block the Car
Flooding not only threatens the engine, but
also brake pads. When flooded, the water will make the brake pads expand so that they stick to the wheels. This often happens in cars with drum brakes. Therefore, never use the parking brake to hold the car in position. Instead, use a rock as a wedge. Complete it by inserting the gear into 1st gear (on manual cars) or P position (on automatic cars).
D.Check Oil and Fuel Conditions
Even though the flood has receded, it's best to avoid starting the engine right away. Check the condition of the oil and fuel first. It is possible that the oil and fuel mixed with water after the flood. It is highly recommended to drain the mixed water. Oil should be replaced with new. As for fuel, usually water collects at the bottom so it is necessary to just throw the water away.
E.Take it to Dealer for Further Check
Maybe your car engine is running normally after being submerged in a flood. But it's a good idea to take your car to an authorized dealer for a follow-up check. For new cars usually use the ECU which is very sensitive to water.
F.If it is flooded, the car's ECU may be damaged.
If a flood occurs, your car will be spared if you use a Nissan Navara. The high clearance position makes the Navara flood resistant. The high position of the engine also makes the Navara tough to face floods, especially when it is supported by the power and size of the car body which is equally large. Then, do you still bet the machine in every flood comes
