How To Identify Flood-Damaged Vehicles

Friday, March 1, 2019

How To Identify Flood-Damaged Vehicles (NAPSA)—Following record-setting rainfall in many areas of the country, flooding has takenits toll on vehicles. Its importantfor those considering buy- ing a used vehicle to be car care aware and check for signs of water intrusion or contamination, advises the nonprofit Car Care Council. “Purchasing a usedvehicle andlater learning it has beenflood damaged can be very problematic andlead to costly issues down the road. Worseyet, these vehicles can be unhealthy to occupy because of mold and bacteria growing in the carpet and ventilation system,’ explained Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. ‘The Car Care Council and the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN), a group of automotive service provid- ers, say it all comes downto how much water the vehicle took in and where it can be reached. They recommend these five steps to determineif a vehicle has been flood damaged: Take the sniff test. Close all the windows anddoors and let the car sit for aboutfive minutes. Then, crack open a door and sniff. Mildew and mold have very distinctive smells andit doesn’t take Jong for that smellto present itself. + Try the touch test. Get some paper towels and press them against the Jow spots in the carpet. The paper towels will draw the moisture out andreveal if the carpet is wet under the surface. Some carpetscanbe several inches thick to insulate from heat and sound.If the Getting a flood-damaged vehicle can put a real damper on the whole used car buying experience. But there are ways to tell. + Inspect the instrument panel. Tum onthekey and perform a bulbtest. ‘Make sure every bulb lights up. Ifa system hasanissue, removing the warning bulb can hide it. Many times,vehicles that have flooded have malfunctions in their anti-brake and air bag systems. If the light comes on and then goes out after the bulb test, that’s an indicator that the system is on and hasnoactive faults. + Take it to a professional. Let a service and repair technician inspect your vehicle. He or she can raise the car and look underneath to see if there is any mud, sticks or rocks in the suspension. A professional can check the oil in the differentials to make sure they contain no water. Spend a few dollars to have it looked overto give yourself peace ofmind. ‘The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care paper towel becomes wet,it could mean Aware” consumer education campaign under theseats and dashfor corrosion consumers. is untreated. There are metal springs under the frontseats that are usually not painted. If they are rusted, thatis a sign theinterior has been wet. Look for mud media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular “Car Care Guide? visit promoting the benefits of regular vehi+ Investigate the interior Look cle care, maintenance and repair to water has gotteninto thecar. andrustandlook for exposed metal that anddebris in places they don't belong. Forthe latest car care news, visit the council's online media room at http:// the council's consumer education web- site at www.carcare.org.

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