There are many car owners today who do not have a spanner in their boot.
Yes, lets start with the average compact car driver. Ask them a question about any part under the front hood and they will give a blank look. I know this as I have nephews and nieces that have shown me their blank looks.
Then move up the age ladder, ask the average 30 to 50 something professional male or female car driver and they will probably show you where their tool kit is, but will not know and have never used any of the tools provided including a spanner.
So, when social media is filled with advice from experts, car enthusiast and even vehicle workshop mechanics on the need to remove the connection to their car battery (not hybrid or electric car battery) and NOT start your ignition, there is little use.
As we have seen in the last week, there have been hundreds of cars stuck in flooded car parks with their hazard lights blinking and their horns blaring. These are cars that have flash flood waters knocking against them, sometimes even large debris and even other cars parked next to them. This activates the vehicle’s alarm and so the lights start flashing.
By the time you rush down to find a spanner and remove the battery connection to prevent an electrical short circuit which could damage the main ECU or all the ECU’s in some cars, you are too late.
- You will need to do this even before the flood water starts rising.
- You need to have the right spanner size to turn the nut holding the battery connection.
- You need to know how to do this without inflicting more damage.
- You need to know how to safely put aside the connection without touching a metal part of the engine bay which might do further damage.
- You need to do this in the rain.
- You need to know how to reconnect the battery safely after the flood water had subsided.
- You need to have an umbrella handy.
So, lets start with a trial run asap (this coming weekend) before it is too late. Try it at home or go see your trusted mechanic, or a car enthusiast friend, or a relative who knows and try this for yourself and make sure you know exactly what to do.
This simple 5 to 10-minute training could save you thousands of Ringgit and leave you much wiser about your car.
