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If you live in Louisiana or anywhere around the Gulf Coast, you well know the dangers of a flood vehicle. It may look OK on the outside, but under the engine and inside the car you may have a lemon.
Many dealers may have flood vehicles on their lots and not even know it, but there’s a way you can tell.
How Do You Tell That A Used Car Is A Flood Car?
This article will point out several ways you’ll be able to tell a flood vehicle. You don’t necessarily need to have an eagle eye, but you do have to be able to spot the visible signs of flood, namely rust. But there’s more to it than that.
Look For These 5 Signs On A flood Vehicle
Hurricanes are a yearly occurrence in Louisiana and Florida, so those two states especially have to be on guard against a vehicle market that contains flood-damaged vehicles.
You need to especially be on guard against vehicles written off as “salvage” or “totaled.” Their titles might not disclose that they’ve been in a flood. But here’s how you can tell:
1. Check the VIN
You can use a free VIN checker to find to find out the history of the vehicle you’re interested in. A VIN (vehicle identification number) will list the historical data about the car, including the status of its title.
VehicleHistory.com offers a free VIN check so you can find out about a vehicle really quick.
2. Check Under The Hood
Open the hood of the vehicle and look for signs of rusted metal around the engine. The wirings will also show a corrosion or faded color that could indicate flooding.
A glimpse at the gauges under the hood like the water meter and oil filter will also show water signs.
3. Inspect The Car’s Interior
Look inside the car to see if the fabric on the seats is faded or discolored in any way. Also, you’ll want to pay attention to the dashboard and look for cracks (this could also be caused by heat).
The seatbelts may have crud inside the fasteners, so that’s another sign to look out for.
4. Get The Car Examined
See if you can get a mechanic to look at the vehicle for flood damage. The mechanic shouldn’t give the car a simple once over, he or she should thoroughly examine under the car’s hood, the interior and trunk.
If the mechanic says the car does not have any flood damage, there’s still one way you can find out…
5. Ask The Car’s Owner
If you ask the car’s owner if it’s been in a flood, more than likely they will tell you the truth. If they’re not honest, then they will be committing fraud, which is a felony.
Because they have a major incentive to be honest, a quick question about whether the car has been in a flood should suffice in most cases.
Final Word
Flood-damaged vehicles are the biggest problem facing people who are shopping for cars. But you can protect yourself.
Remember to check out the car’s service history. You can do this by either calling the dealership where the car has been serviced or by asking if the previous owner kept the records.
And don’t forget about the free VIN check, which will save you a lot of time.
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If you’re interested in making lemon juice, you may wonder how much is contained inside one normal-sized lemon.
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If you’re building your home gym, no doubt you’re aware that you need a good mat to work out on.
In this article, we’ve identified some of the best workout mats on sale online. While you need to keep in mind the price of the mat, the quality is of equal importance.
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As much as we hate it, cold weather is coming sooner or later. When it does arrive, you’ll want to be prepared.
In this article, we’re going to tell you how you can protect yourself by keeping warm in cool weather.
How To Stay Warm In Cold Weather
Is a cold front coming in? Contrary to popular belief, staying warm has a lot more to do with what type of activity you do rather than where you’re located?
Here are five ways you can stay warm when it gets chilly.
1. Weather Strip Your Home
You’ll want to make sure your home’s windows and doors aren’t susceptible to drafts that will lower the temperature inside.
The best way to do this is to weather strip your doors and windows. You can buy weather strip tape at your local home improvement store like a Home Depot or Lowe’s. You should be able to find it at Walmart as well.
2. Drip Some Coffee
Ok, it doesn’t have to be coffee, that’s a personal favorite. The key is that you want to drink something that can warm your insides.
When it’s chilly outside, I personally like to drink coffee early in the morning, then transition to tea later in the day.
3. Dress In Layers
One inexpensive way to warm up is to dress in layers. If you layer your clothing by putting a sweater over your shirt and a jacket over your sweater, you’ll be warmer for it.
Don’t forget to take advantage of gloves and scarves to protect your body.
4. Move Your Body
Because your body’s temperature will drop with the less movement you do, it’s a good idea to stay active when you’re cold.
Increasing your body’s metabolism will actually increase blood circulation, warming you up in the process.
5. Turn On The Heat
Although it can be an expensive option, turning on your home’s heat can be just the thing you need to thaw out.
If you choose this option, remember to raise the thermostat and keep it there. Don’t move it up and down based on how cold it is outside. What you want to do maintain a stable temperature inside your home. If you do that, your heating unit will expend less energy.
Final Word
Colder weather can be a challenge when you don’t have heating or the right clothing, but if you follow these tips you’ll be OK.
No matter what you wear, it’s always a good idea to stay out of the weather if it’s too cold. Common sense may be uncommon today, but it’s something that’s badly in need.
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