What's Under Your Car's Carpet?

<p>It's&nbsp;now&nbsp;been&nbsp;2&nbsp;years&nbsp;since&nbsp;stories&nbsp;of&nbsp;flood&nbsp;cars&nbsp;from&nbsp;Hurricane&nbsp;Katrina&nbsp;saturated&nbsp;the&nbsp;world&nbsp;of&nbsp;'buyer-beware'.&nbsp;&nbsp;But&nbsp;it's&nbsp;not&nbsp;just&nbsp;flood&nbsp;cars&nbsp;that&nbsp;cause&nbsp;problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other&nbsp;liquids&nbsp;like&nbsp;spilled&nbsp;milk,&nbsp;snow&nbsp;melt,&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;washed&nbsp;carpeting&nbsp;or&nbsp;a&nbsp;leaking&nbsp;windshield&nbsp;can&nbsp;cause&nbsp;serious&nbsp;problems&nbsp;too.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Let&nbsp;us&nbsp;show&nbsp;you&nbsp;just&nbsp;how&nbsp;serious&nbsp;a&nbsp;wet&nbsp;floor&nbsp;can&nbsp;be!</p><p>Our&nbsp;expertise&nbsp;is&nbsp;in&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;systems,&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;replacement&nbsp;and&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;service,&nbsp;so&nbsp;&nbsp;we&nbsp;are&nbsp;often&nbsp;called&nbsp;upon&nbsp;to&nbsp;do&nbsp;investigations&nbsp;for&nbsp;insurance&nbsp;companies,&nbsp;attorneys&nbsp;and&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;involving&nbsp;accidental&nbsp;or&nbsp;inadvertent&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;deployment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After&nbsp;inspecting&nbsp;many&nbsp;such&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;and&nbsp;knowing&nbsp;the&nbsp;serious&nbsp;personal&nbsp;injuries&nbsp;they&nbsp;can&nbsp;cause,&nbsp;the&nbsp;reason&nbsp;for&nbsp;these&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;deployments&nbsp;are&nbsp;shocking.&nbsp;&nbsp;What&nbsp;we&nbsp;have&nbsp;found&nbsp;has&nbsp;a&nbsp;common&nbsp;theme...liquids&nbsp;and&nbsp;electronics&nbsp;do&nbsp;not&nbsp;mix!!</p><p>This&nbsp;article&nbsp;will&nbsp;show&nbsp;you&nbsp;exactly&nbsp;what&nbsp;happens;&nbsp;not&nbsp;necessarily&nbsp;immediately,&nbsp;but&nbsp;6&nbsp;months,&nbsp;1&nbsp;year&nbsp;or&nbsp;even&nbsp;up&nbsp;to&nbsp;4&nbsp;or&nbsp;5&nbsp;years&nbsp;down&nbsp;the&nbsp;road.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once&nbsp;you&nbsp;know&nbsp;the&nbsp;facts,&nbsp;just&nbsp;being&nbsp;aware&nbsp;of&nbsp;these&nbsp;potentially&nbsp;serious&nbsp;situations&nbsp;and&nbsp;hazards&nbsp;can&nbsp;help&nbsp;you&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;causes&nbsp;and&nbsp;may&nbsp;just&nbsp;save&nbsp;you&nbsp;from&nbsp;serious&nbsp;personal&nbsp;harm.</p><p>Although&nbsp;an&nbsp;estimated&nbsp;500,000-600,000&nbsp;cars&nbsp;were&nbsp;damaged&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;hurricane&nbsp;and&nbsp;subsequent&nbsp;flood&nbsp;waters,&nbsp;many&nbsp;non-flood&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;are&nbsp;susceptible&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;same&nbsp;type&nbsp;of&nbsp;damages.&nbsp;&nbsp;What&nbsp;damage?&nbsp;&nbsp;Water&nbsp;or&nbsp;moisture&nbsp;collecting&nbsp;under&nbsp;the&nbsp;seats&nbsp;and&nbsp;console&nbsp;damaging&nbsp;highly&nbsp;sensitive&nbsp;electronic&nbsp;components.</p><p>The&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;control&nbsp;units&nbsp;for&nbsp;most&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;road&nbsp;today&nbsp;are&nbsp;located&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;floor,&nbsp;or&nbsp;near&nbsp;the&nbsp;center&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;vehicle&nbsp;under&nbsp;the&nbsp;seats&nbsp;and&nbsp;consoles.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;are&nbsp;positioned&nbsp;there&nbsp;specifically&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;manufacturers&nbsp;in&nbsp;order&nbsp;to&nbsp;replicate,&nbsp;as&nbsp;closely&nbsp;as&nbsp;possible,&nbsp;the&nbsp;effects&nbsp;of&nbsp;an&nbsp;accident&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;passengers&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp;But&nbsp;by&nbsp;being&nbsp;positioned&nbsp;at&nbsp;such&nbsp;a&nbsp;low&nbsp;point&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;vehicle,&nbsp;they&nbsp;are&nbsp;at&nbsp;risk&nbsp;of&nbsp;contamination&nbsp;from&nbsp;water&nbsp;or&nbsp;many&nbsp;other&nbsp;situations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some&nbsp;simple,&nbsp;normal,&nbsp;everyday&nbsp;things&nbsp;that&nbsp;happen&nbsp;when&nbsp;you&nbsp;drive&nbsp;a&nbsp;car&nbsp;can&nbsp;have&nbsp;severe&nbsp;consequences.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here&nbsp;are&nbsp;a&nbsp;few.</p><p>With&nbsp;winter&nbsp;coming&nbsp;and&nbsp;snow&nbsp;flying&nbsp;in&nbsp;many&nbsp;states,&nbsp;melted&nbsp;snow&nbsp;and&nbsp;ice&nbsp;will&nbsp;now&nbsp;be&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;floors&nbsp;of&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;across&nbsp;the&nbsp;country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Turn&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;heater&nbsp;and&nbsp;this&nbsp;snow&nbsp;and&nbsp;ice&nbsp;becomes&nbsp;water,&nbsp;saturating&nbsp;the&nbsp;carpet&nbsp;and&nbsp;ultimately&nbsp;draining&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;lowest&nbsp;pint&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;vehicle...the&nbsp;floor&nbsp;under&nbsp;the&nbsp;seats.</p><p>As&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;'sun&nbsp;states'&nbsp;&nbsp;get&nbsp;older&nbsp;and&nbsp;sit&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;sun&nbsp;day&nbsp;after&nbsp;day,&nbsp;the&nbsp;soft&nbsp;rubber&nbsp;seals&nbsp;around&nbsp;the&nbsp;windshield&nbsp;begin&nbsp;to&nbsp;harden&nbsp;and&nbsp;crack.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once&nbsp;the&nbsp;brittle&nbsp;seal&nbsp;cracks&nbsp;or&nbsp;breaks,&nbsp;any&nbsp;rain&nbsp;or&nbsp;water&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;car&nbsp;wash&nbsp;that&nbsp;hits&nbsp;the&nbsp;roof&nbsp;and&nbsp;windshield&nbsp;is&nbsp;now&nbsp;channeled&nbsp;into&nbsp;the&nbsp;car,&nbsp;hidden&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;interior&nbsp;trim&nbsp;panels&nbsp;and&nbsp;travels&nbsp;down&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;lowest&nbsp;points&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;car...the&nbsp;floor&nbsp;and&nbsp;beneath&nbsp;the&nbsp;seats.</p><p>Or&nbsp;how&nbsp;about&nbsp;the&nbsp;used&nbsp;car&nbsp;dealer&nbsp;wanting&nbsp;to&nbsp;get&nbsp;the&nbsp;most&nbsp;for&nbsp;his&nbsp;cars?&nbsp;&nbsp;With&nbsp;the&nbsp;best&nbsp;intentions,&nbsp;he&nbsp;power&nbsp;cleans&nbsp;the&nbsp;interior&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;every&nbsp;vehicle&nbsp;he&nbsp;gets&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;auction.&nbsp;&nbsp;These&nbsp;are&nbsp;not&nbsp;flood&nbsp;cars,&nbsp;just&nbsp;used&nbsp;cars<span style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;with&nbsp;soiled&nbsp;carpets.&nbsp;&nbsp;With&nbsp;a&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;wand&nbsp;in&nbsp;hand,&nbsp;or&nbsp;a&nbsp;power&nbsp;steamer,&nbsp;the&nbsp;carpets&nbsp;are&nbsp;purposely&nbsp;washed&nbsp;and&nbsp;then&nbsp;dried&nbsp;as&nbsp;well&nbsp;as&nbsp;possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;But&nbsp;it's&nbsp;too&nbsp;late...&nbsp;the&nbsp;water&nbsp;that&nbsp;soaked&nbsp;the&nbsp;carpet&nbsp;during&nbsp;the&nbsp;process&nbsp;has&nbsp;already&nbsp;seeped&nbsp;through,&nbsp;drained&nbsp;under&nbsp;the&nbsp;seats&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;now&nbsp;collects&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;metal&nbsp;floor,&nbsp;saturating&nbsp;the&nbsp;padding&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;way&nbsp;and&nbsp;going&nbsp;exactly&nbsp;where&nbsp;we&nbsp;don't&nbsp;want&nbsp;it&nbsp;wet;&nbsp;around&nbsp;the&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;control&nbsp;unit.</span></p><p><span style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">And&nbsp;with&nbsp;so&nbsp;many&nbsp;people&nbsp;eating&nbsp;and&nbsp;drinking&nbsp;in&nbsp;their&nbsp;vehicles,&nbsp;cup&nbsp;holders&nbsp;all&nbsp;over&nbsp;the&nbsp;dash&nbsp;and&nbsp;console,&nbsp;the&nbsp;potential&nbsp;for&nbsp;a&nbsp;spilled&nbsp;soft&nbsp;drink&nbsp;or&nbsp;cup&nbsp;of&nbsp;coffee&nbsp;is&nbsp;greater&nbsp;now&nbsp;than&nbsp;ever.&nbsp;&nbsp;And&nbsp;guess&nbsp;where&nbsp;that&nbsp;spilled&nbsp;liquid&nbsp;goes...Right,&nbsp;through&nbsp;the&nbsp;console&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;floor,&nbsp;or&nbsp;between&nbsp;the&nbsp;seats&nbsp;where&nbsp;you&nbsp;can't&nbsp;dry&nbsp;it&nbsp;up.</span></p><p><span style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">Whatever&nbsp;the&nbsp;reason,&nbsp;liquids&nbsp;make&nbsp;their&nbsp;way&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;carpet&nbsp;and&nbsp;interior&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;exactly&nbsp;where&nbsp;we&nbsp;don't&nbsp;want&nbsp;it...mixing&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;electronic&nbsp;control&nbsp;module.</span></p><p><span style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">Here's&nbsp;what&nbsp;happens&nbsp;when&nbsp;water&nbsp;and&nbsp;electronics&nbsp;mix.&nbsp;&nbsp;These&nbsp;pictures&nbsp;capture&nbsp;the&nbsp;inevitable&nbsp;results&nbsp;of&nbsp;ignoring&nbsp;the&nbsp;problem&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;wet&nbsp;floor.&nbsp;&nbsp;Over&nbsp;time,&nbsp;water&nbsp;can&nbsp;turn&nbsp;the&nbsp;part&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;left&nbsp;into&nbsp;the&nbsp;part&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;right.&nbsp;&nbsp;Which&nbsp;one&nbsp;is&nbsp;in&nbsp;your&nbsp;car?</span></p><p><span style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">The&nbsp;owner&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;vehicle&nbsp;this&nbsp;part&nbsp;came&nbsp;from&nbsp;suffered&nbsp;serious&nbsp;injuries&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;deployed&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;upon&nbsp;starting&nbsp;her&nbsp;car&nbsp;one&nbsp;morning.&nbsp;&nbsp;She&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;belted&nbsp;in&nbsp;place,&nbsp;nor&nbsp;was&nbsp;she&nbsp;prepared&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;impact&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;airbag.&nbsp;&nbsp;She&nbsp;was&nbsp;just&nbsp;starting&nbsp;her&nbsp;car&nbsp;to&nbsp;go&nbsp;to&nbsp;work&nbsp;when&nbsp;she&nbsp;was&nbsp;hit&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;face&nbsp;and&nbsp;jaw&nbsp;by&nbsp;an&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;at&nbsp;200&nbsp;mph.&nbsp;(General&nbsp;Motors&nbsp;Safety&nbsp;webpage)</span></p><p><span style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">Airbags&nbsp;are&nbsp;designed&nbsp;to&nbsp;protect&nbsp;us&nbsp;from&nbsp;injury,&nbsp;but&nbsp;just&nbsp;like&nbsp;so&nbsp;many&nbsp;other&nbsp;conveniences&nbsp;in&nbsp;our&nbsp;lives,&nbsp;they&nbsp;need&nbsp;care&nbsp;and&nbsp;maintenance&nbsp;to&nbsp;insure&nbsp;their&nbsp;reliability.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most&nbsp;car&nbsp;manufacturers&nbsp;recommend&nbsp;servicing&nbsp;the&nbsp;airbag&nbsp;systems&nbsp;every&nbsp;10&nbsp;years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Checking&nbsp;the&nbsp;floors&nbsp;for&nbsp;moisture&nbsp;buildup&nbsp;should&nbsp;be&nbsp;included&nbsp;in&nbsp;that&nbsp;procedure&nbsp;and&nbsp;done&nbsp;more&nbsp;often.&nbsp;&nbsp;As&nbsp;a&nbsp;vehicle&nbsp;owner&nbsp;though,&nbsp;it's&nbsp;ultimately&nbsp;your&nbsp;responsibility&nbsp;to&nbsp;care&nbsp;for&nbsp;and&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;your&nbsp;car.&nbsp;&nbsp;After&nbsp;all,&nbsp;it's&nbsp;you&nbsp;who&nbsp;is&nbsp;at&nbsp;risk.</span></p><p><span style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">Here&nbsp;are&nbsp;some&nbsp;simple&nbsp;things&nbsp;you&nbsp;can&nbsp;do&nbsp;to&nbsp;identify&nbsp;if&nbsp;your&nbsp;car&nbsp;is&nbsp;at&nbsp;risk.&nbsp;&nbsp;Be&nbsp;aware&nbsp;of&nbsp;any&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;following&nbsp;indicators.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;may&nbsp;indicate&nbsp;a&nbsp;serious&nbsp;problem&nbsp;brewing.</span></p>