Super Typhoon Yagi may cause heavy rain, should cars driving through flooded areas turn off the air conditioner?
Typhoon Yagi swept through the northern provinces, threatening to bring heavy rain and flooding to roads. Drivers need to be careful to ensure safety.
Before driving through a flooded area, drivers need to carefully observe and estimate the depth of the water. If the water level does not exceed the center of the wheel, the vehicle can drive through safely.
The most important thing to note is that before driving through a flooded area, the driver must turn off the air conditioner and lower the car window to a moderate level so that he can look out and observe. After driving through a flooded area, the driver must not turn on the air conditioner immediately. Because turning on the air conditioner immediately after driving through a flooded area can kill the engine because when the fan rotates, it can suck water into the car's engine.
In case the engine does not die, the electric fan can sweep up floating debris in the water, breaking the fan blades, causing the engine to overheat abnormally, causing serious damage to the engine.
When driving through flooded areas, drivers should use low gears, depending on the severity, they can adjust to first or second gear. Drivers should also adjust to keep a steady throttle, avoid sudden acceleration to gain momentum to drive through puddles, and must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Drive at a suitable speed so that when there is a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, both vehicles will not be splashed with water above the engine compartment cover or the water will increase the flooding of the vehicle, causing water to flood into the engine compartment and air filter.
When leaving the water, press the brake pedal gently and repeatedly to dry the brake until you feel the brake start to “grip”, then release the brake pedal. The driver should also choose a suitable, safe, and regulated stop point to get out of the car to check if there are any plastic bags or trash stuck in the radiator grille or radiator fins inside to throw them away.
After crossing a flooded area, drivers should also clean the vehicle, especially the chassis and wheels, to remove grass, leaves, and dirt because they can cause unpleasant odors and even cause the vehicle to catch fire when traveling long distances.
In particular, you should immediately change the engine oil, because when going through flooded areas, water may have entered the system. In addition, you need to clean the car carpet to prevent mold, and check the wheel bearings and the entire system to ensure the vehicle is safe to move.
