It’s been 2 years since the stories of cars flooded by Hurricane Katrina saturated the ‘buyer-beware’ world. But it’s not just the flooded cars that cause problems. Other liquids like spilled milk, melted snow, pressure washed carpets, or a leaking windshield can also cause serious problems. Let us show you how serious a wet floor can be!

Our expertise is in airbag systems, airbag replacement, and airbag service, which is why we are often asked to conduct investigations for insurance companies, attorneys, and individuals that involve accidental or inadvertent deployment of bags. of air. After inspecting many of these vehicles and learning about the serious personal injuries they can cause, the reason for these airbag deployments is shocking. What we’ve found has a common theme … liquids and electronics don’t mix!

This article will show you exactly what happens; not necessarily right away, but 6 months, 1 year, or even 4-5 years in the future. Once you know the facts, just being aware of these potentially serious situations and hazards can help you deal with the causes and can save you from serious personal injury.

Although it is estimated that between 500,000 and 600,000 cars were damaged by the hurricane and subsequent flooding, many vehicles that were not inundated are susceptible to the same types of damage. What harm? Water or moisture collects under the seats and console and damages highly sensitive electronic components.

The airbag control units for most vehicles on the road today are located on the floor or near the center of the vehicle under the seats and consoles. Manufacturers place them there specifically to reproduce, as closely as possible, the effects of an accident on the passengers of the vehicle. But being placed so low on the vehicle, they run the risk of contamination by water or many other situations. Some simple, normal, everyday things that happen when you drive a car can have serious consequences. Here are some.

With winter coming and snow blowing in many states, melting snow and ice will now be introduced to vehicle floors across the country. Turn on the heater and this snow and ice will turn to water, saturating the carpet and ultimately draining even the lowest pint of the vehicle … the floor under the seats.

As vehicles in the ‘sunshine states’ age and sit in the sun day after day, the soft rubber seals around the windshield begin to harden and crack. Once the brittle seal is cracked or broken, rain or water from the car wash hitting the roof and windshield is now funneled into the car, hidden by the interior trim panels and down to the lowest points from the car … the floor and under the seats.

Or how about the used car dealership who wants to get the most out of their cars? With the best of intentions, he powerfully cleans the interior of every vehicle he gets from the auction. These are not flood cars, just used cars with dirty carpets. With a pressure wand in hand, or a steamer, rugs are purposely washed and then dried as well as possible. But it’s too late … the water that soaked the carpet during the process has already leaked out, drained under the seats and now accumulates on the metal floor, saturating the padding along the way and going exactly where we don’t want it to be. wet. ; around the airbag control unit.

And with so many people eating and drinking in their vehicles, cup holders all over the dash and console, the chance of a soda or cup of coffee spilling is greater now than ever. And guess where that spilled liquid goes … Right, through the console to the floor, or between the seats where it can’t be dried.

Whatever the reason, liquids get onto the carpet and into the interior of the vehicle exactly where we don’t want it … mixing with the electronic control module.

This is what happens when water and electronics mix. These images capture the inevitable results of ignoring the problem of a wet floor. Over time, the water can turn the part on the left into the part on the right. What is in your car?

The owner of the vehicle this part came from was seriously injured as the airbag deployed immediately after starting his car one morning. It was not fastened or prepared for the impact of the airbag. She was starting her car to go to work when an air bag hit her in the face and jaw at 200 mph. (General Motors Safety Website)

Air bags are designed to protect us from injury, but like many other conveniences in our lives, they require care and maintenance to ensure their reliability. Most automakers recommend servicing airbag systems every 10 years. Checking floors for moisture build-up should be included in that procedure and performed more frequently. However, as a vehicle owner, it is ultimately your responsibility to care for and maintain your car. After all, it is you who is at risk.

Here are some simple things you can do to identify if your car is at risk. Consider any of the following indicators. They can indicate a serious problem when brewing beer:

• Moisture on the floor and carpets; moisture inside the instrument panel

• Rust on interior screws and other metal parts
• Mold, debris and mold in places where it should not normally be found
• under seats or rugs,
• in the trunk, or
• in the back floor pits
• Water stains or discoloration of seat belts and door panels.
• A musty odor or a strong lysol or deodorizer odor is used to cover up an odor problem.