| Looking for a new car involves considering different | | | | U.S. market are equipped with electronic components, |
| areas, factors, and features of an automobile. | | | | these features should be checked properly before |
| Safety, fuel efficiency, and performance are just | | | | buying a car. The vehicle's onboard computer can be |
| some of the things car buyers need to consider to | | | | permanently damaged by flood water as well as |
| ensure that they will be driving a vehicle that suits | | | | airbag sensors. That alone poses a very high potential |
| them perfectly. | | | | risk to consumers. |
| Auto experts though has reported that prospective | | | | If an airbag sensor is damaged, when needed, the |
| car buyers should also check for water damage on | | | | airbag can no longer protect the occupants of a |
| the car they are planning to buy and they do mean | | | | vehicle, endangering them of severe injuries or even |
| flood water to be exact. After the damaging effects | | | | death. Some other electrical components like Volvo |
| of Hurricane Katrina, car experts fear that the auto | | | | window motors can also be damaged by flood |
| market in the United States is proliferated by | | | | water, but these damages can readily be checked |
| flood-damaged vehicles. With regards to this, they | | | | unlike the status of an airbag sensor. |
| warn car buyers to avoid buying a car which has | | | | One of the most telling signs that a car is |
| suffered the wrath of Hurricane Katrina and other | | | | flood-damaged is molds in the vehicle or a musty |
| smaller floods across the country. | | | | smell. This, of course, is the effect of the prolonged |
| Bryan Gregory, the Director of Consumer Education | | | | exposure to dirty flood water. New upholstery and |
| for Advanced Auto Parts, has this to say about the | | | | carpets can also mean that these are replaced due |
| influx of flood-damaged vehicles in the United States | | | | to the damage of flood water on the original |
| auto market: "Auto industry experts estimate that as | | | | upholstery or carpets. Rust on the interior of a |
| many as 400,000 vehicles may have been damaged | | | | vehicle is also a sign that the vehicle is |
| by Hurricane Katrina alone. Add to that total the | | | | flood-damaged. |
| number of vehicles caught in countless smaller floods | | | | Auto experts also advise car buyers to inspect the |
| that occur across the country each year and you | | | | air box for mud or water residue. Consumers can do |
| have a significant flood-damaged vehicle population | | | | this by simply removing the air filter of a vehicle. |
| that consumers need to be on the lookout for." | | | | Waterlines on the bulb or lenses of headlamps and |
| Staying way from flood-damaged vehicles needs a | | | | taillights are also telltale sign that the car was |
| thorough inspection of the vehicle on the part of the | | | | submerged at one time or another under a flood. |
| buyer. Although the tell tale signs of flood damaged is | | | | Aside from keeping away from flood-damaged |
| relatively hard to spot, auto experts want to arm car | | | | vehicles, Gregory also advises car owners to prevent |
| buyers with the proper information to spot these | | | | their cars from being victims of a flood. According to |
| damages. "Flood damage can be hard to spot, unless | | | | Gregory, "In addition to knowing how to avoid buying |
| you know what you're looking for. The time to spot | | | | a flood-damaged vehicle, drivers should also take |
| a car that's been in a flood is before you purchase it, | | | | steps to prevent their own vehicle from becoming a |
| because once it's in your driveway and the | | | | flood victim. The number one action drivers can take |
| flood-related mechanical problems start to show up, | | | | to avoid water damage to their vehicle, and possible |
| it's too late for most consumers," says Gregory. | | | | personal injury or death, is to never, ever attempt to |
| These damages may not show themselves yet right | | | | drive through water that is covering a road, no |
| after you buy a car but in the long run, these | | | | matter how shallow or slow-moving it appears. Also |
| damages will play a major role in the shortening of a | | | | avoid parking in areas prone to flash flooding and |
| vehicle's lifespan. Since all new vehicles released in the | | | | close your vehicle's windows when rain threatens. |