Storm is an extreme hydrometeorological phenomenon, characterized by heavy rainfall combined with strong winds in a short period of time. This phenomenon often causes a lot of damage to people and property, especially to means of transport such as cars.
According to statistics, on average, each year in Vietnam there are about 10-12 storms, causing many difficulties in ensuring vehicle safety.
To prepare your car thoroughly before the rainy season, you should perform general maintenance including technical inspection, replacing oil and other fluids, nano coating, and equipping emergency tools. At the same time, choose a safe parking location, avoiding flooding and fallen trees.
When driving in stormy conditions, to ensure safety for yourself and your vehicle, you need to note:
After a storm, wash your car thoroughly, check the condition of the tires and electrical components, replace the air and oil filters, and lubricate the door hinges and trunk.
Especially for electric cars, it is necessary to carefully check important systems such as high-voltage wires, battery cases, interior compartments and engines to prevent short circuits.
A study shows that 70% of accidents and car damage during the rainy season are due to car owners not preparing and protecting their cars properly. Therefore, equipping yourself with knowledge and skills to protect your car is extremely necessary.
Follow the article to discover valuable experiences to protect your car when storms come.
Before the rainy season comes, you should conduct a general check, comprehensive maintenance, change fluids such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, apply protective paint, prepare necessary tools and find a safe parking place to effectively protect your car.
Conduct a general check and comprehensive maintenance of the vehicle by checking the brake system, tires, wipers, washer fluid and lighting system - brake lights, turn signals to ensure all parts operate properly in bad weather conditions such as storms.
Change engine oil, coolant and brake fluid if they are due or if the quality is not guaranteed. This helps maintain the performance and life of the engine and brake system.
Experts recommend changing engine oil after 5000-7500km or 6 months depending on usage conditions.
To protect the car's paint from acid rain and impurities, you can use nano coating services or wax the paint yourself. These measures create a protective layer, preventing dirt and corrosive chemicals from sticking to the paint surface.
According to a test, the nano coating reduces 80% of dirt and 90% of UV rays from adhering to the paint surface.
Prepare necessary tools such as car covers, raincoats, boots and emergency repair kits. Specifically:
Personal protective equipment: raincoat, rubber boots, hat, umbrella when getting in and out of the vehicle.
Safety and emergency repair tools:
Essentials for long journeys:
These items will help you protect your vehicle as well as handle unexpected situations when necessary.
According to the survey, 60% of car owners regularly carry a repair kit and 40% have a car cover.
Choose areas away from old, fragile trees and areas prone to flooding to park your car. If possible, prioritize parking indoors or use a specialized tarpaulin to limit the direct impact of storms.
Figures show that 55% of vehicles damaged by storms are due to being parked in unsafe places.
When driving in stormy weather, to protect yourself and your vehicle, remember to reduce speed, keep a suitable distance, turn on your headlights, avoid deep flooded areas and do not try to start the engine if water has entered the engine.
Heavy rain reduces visibility and tire grip. Therefore, adjust your speed appropriately, reducing it by 10-20% compared to normal conditions and maintain a safe distance of at least 4-5 seconds from the vehicle in front to have time to react promptly when necessary.
Turning on your headlights and fog lights not only improves visibility, but also makes it easier for other drivers to see your vehicle in bad weather conditions. Traffic laws require headlights to be turned on in rain, fog, or other bad weather. Fog lights can help improve visibility in heavy rain or dense fog.
Water can enter the engine through the exhaust or air intake system, causing hydrolock and engine damage. Water can also cause damage to the electrical system and other parts of the vehicle.
Experts recommend that you do not drive through water that is more than half-way up your wheels. If you must drive through water, drive slowly and steadily to avoid splashing water into your engine.
If your car is unfortunately submerged in water, do not attempt to start the engine as this could cause serious damage. Instead, call a tow service and take the car to a garage for inspection and repair.
Statistics show that 40% of cars that stall due to flooding are due to the owner trying to start the car. Trying to start the car can cause water to enter the cylinder, causing hydrolock and completely damaging the engine.
In addition, you should also pay attention to using air conditioning to avoid fogging up the glass, check and replace the wipers if necessary, and always stay calm when encountering unexpected situations.
After the storm has passed, to ensure your car is still in the best condition, you should wash it thoroughly, check the tires, electrical system, replace filters, and lubricate the door hinges and trunk.
Use high-pressure water and a specialized cleaning solution to remove mud, dirt, and salt from your vehicle. Pay special attention to the undercarriage, wheel wells, and other crevices where dirt tends to accumulate.
According to research, washing your car properly after a storm can help prolong the life of the paint and effectively prevent rust.
Inspect your tires for signs of wear, damage, punctures, or imbalance. If you notice any problems, contact a reputable tire repair shop for advice and treatment.
Statistics show that 60% of damaged tires are due to lack of regular inspection and maintenance.
Storms can affect your car’s electrical system, especially the battery and ignition system. If your car is hard to start or shows signs of low voltage, take it to a garage to have the battery checked and replaced if necessary. According to a survey, 25% of car batteries fail after the storm season.
After a storm, filters such as the engine air filter and air conditioning filter may become wet or dirty. Check and replace them to ensure efficient engine operation and clean air in your vehicle.
Experts recommend replacing the engine air filter after 10.000-15.000km and the air conditioner filter after 20.000-30.000km or 1 year depending on usage conditions.
Rain and high humidity can cause door and trunk hinges to rust. Check and use specialized lubricants to protect and maintain their durability.
One study found that regular lubrication can extend the life of hinges by up to five years.
If you detect any signs of damage or unusual operation after a storm, do not hesitate to take your car to a reputable garage for timely inspection and repair.
This will help prevent more serious damage and save on future repairs. It is estimated that proper vehicle maintenance and repair can save up to 30% in costs compared to major damage.
After wading or flooding, to avoid short circuits, it is necessary to check the high-voltage wiring system, battery system cover and interior compartment - engine compartment of the electric car. Timely dry, clean and repair to fix damage that reduces the life of the car.
The high-voltage wiring system of an electric car includes the wires connecting the battery system, inverter and motor. This is one of the parts most susceptible to damage from flooding.
When an electric car is flooded, over time the sealing gasket at the connectors can deteriorate, creating a risk of water and moisture entering the two electrodes, causing a battery error and the car being unable to move.
If this condition is not treated quickly, moisture and water will accelerate the oxidation process of the two poles, causing broken contact pins, increasing repair and replacement costs many times over.
When moving through flooded areas, mud or sand can accumulate around the battery system casing in hidden locations, causing the protective casing to rust, allowing water to seep deep into the system, leading to damage to many related components.
Not only that, because it is installed under the car, the battery cover can also be impacted when going over potholes and bumps, causing dents. Therefore, this is a part that needs to be checked immediately after wading or flooding to avoid increased repair costs.
For the interior compartment, it is necessary to carefully check to detect and promptly handle problems related to water overflowing through the air conditioning vents or pressure balance slots. This not only helps prevent mold but also avoids unpleasant odors that may arise in the cabin space.
For the engine compartment, the inspection procedure should be carried out systematically:
Use a dehumidifier or desiccant bag to reduce humidity in the car. Place them in places such as the car floor, seats and luggage compartment. A dehumidifier with a capacity of 20 liters/day can effectively dehumidify a space of 30-40m2.
Open the windows or turn on the air conditioner in outside air mode for 5-10 minutes every day to create ventilation and air circulation in the car. This helps reduce 40-50% of humidity in the car.
It is best to wait at least 1-2 days after rain for mud to dry and be easier to remove. If you wash your car too soon, wet dirt and sand can scratch the paint.
However, if your car gets a lot of mud or salt (especially in coastal areas), consider washing it sooner to avoid corrosion and rust.
According to research, rainwater in coastal cities has a low pH (4,5-5,5) and contains a lot of salt, which can corrode paint and metal five times faster than normal water.
This depends on the type of insurance and the insurance company you choose.
Usually, common, normal, auto insurance will pay for damage caused by weather, including storms, floods, hail, and other natural phenomena. However, deductibles and coverage can vary between plans.
You should read your insurance contract carefully and discuss with your agent to understand the coverage as well as the related terms and conditions. Some car insurance packages can pay up to 100 million VND for weather damage, while others only pay 50% of the damage value.
Water can seep into the engine through the exhaust pipe or air intake system, causing water hammer (water entering the combustion chamber) and damaging the engine and gearbox. The cost of repairing a water hammered engine can be up to 20-30 million VND.
Dirty water and mud can clog the air filter, reducing engine power and filter life. If water enters the brake system, it can reduce brake pad friction and cause unsafe braking.
Power system and the car's electronic components such as sensors, starters, ECUs, etc. can also be damaged if flooded. Repairing a car's electrical system can cost 5-10 million VND depending on the severity.
when the car with water hammer, absolutely do not try to restart the engine. Push the car to a dry place, open the hood to check. If water has entered the combustion chamber, the car needs to be towed to a professional garage for handling. Statistics show that 85% of water hammer cases can be saved if handled properly.
Thanh Phong Auto is a professional car service center in Ho Chi Minh City, providing a variety of car care - inspection - maintenance - repair - rescue services during the rainy season.
With a team of experienced and well-trained technicians, the company is committed to providing customers with high quality services at reasonable prices.
Outstanding advantages when using services at Thanh Phong Auto:
With the above advantages, Thanh Phong Auto is a reliable address for many car owners in Ho Chi Minh City when they need to take care of, maintain or rescue their cars in an emergency. Contact us now if you need to check, maintain or rescue your car.
Hopefully, with the information provided in this article, you have equipped yourself with the necessary experience to protect your beloved car during the rainy season. Read the article now: Driving in the rainy season – skills, handling methods & most detailed notes shared by many drivers.
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