No driver expects to find their trusted car submerged in flooded waters. An unexpected influx of flood water into your vehicle is never a pleasant surprise. Promptly addressing water damage to your car can help prevent potential escalation of damage to your car as it sits in salty or muddy waters. Even ‘minor’ floods can cause significant damage to the interior and exterior of your car and present a myriad of issues ranging from electrical damage to unpleasant odors. Today, we discuss five essential steps to take for flood-damaged cars.

Can Flood-Damaged Cars Be Saved?

Depending on the severity of the damage, an experienced mechanic can repair a car that suffered flood damage from fresh waters. Saltwater can cause irreparable harm to vehicles, and there is no way to successfully salvage a car flooded with salt water.

Automotive flood damage occurs when a vehicle has been partially submerged in waters to the degree that significant damage can be found in the engine, safety features like airbags, and transmission. Repairs may be possible for vehicles with moderate flood damage, but unfortunately, many vehicles see their untimely demise due to catastrophic floods.

This guide highlights five crucial measures to focus on if your car has sustained flood damage.

1. Inspect The Visible Damage

Take a moment to quickly address the immediately apparent damage suffered while keeping a keen eye out for moisture, rust, and mildew odor.

2. Do Not Attempt To Start Your Car

If there is still water within the engine, you can safely assume it has also breached the intake tract and exhaust valve cylinders. Turning the ignition with such considerable moisture in the engine may increase the damage beyond the point of repair.

3. Remove Excess Moisture

Removing as much moisture as possible during this initial surmising stage is imperative. Excess moisture in the interior fabric leads to mold and mildew. It’s most effective to use a combination of techniques, such as a shop vac, moisture-removing packets or hangers, and fans.

Water can wreak havoc on vehicular electrical systems, affecting automatic braking systems and the power controls responsible for locking the doors and opening windows. Several water-based issues will not be visible, so be sure to take notice of the aroma of mold and mildew.

4. Air Out Your Car

If the conditions allow, open each of your car doors and windows. A consistent source of airflow throughout the vehicle can dry out your car, prevent further mildew and mold, and hopefully eliminate some of the odors that have built up. Ensure you have removed all carpets and floor mats to accelerate the drying process. Circulating air fans are an option if the conditions outside the vehicle are rainy and damp.

5. Have Your Car Towed For Inspection

Now that you have surmised the condition of your flood-damaged car, it is time to hand the matter over to a professional. If your vehicle has incurred water damage due to flooding, have your vehicle towed to a reputable auto shop for an inspection. There, a trained mechanic can determine if your vehicle can be salvaged and returned to road-worthy condition and gauge whether reversing the water damage would be a wise or cost-effective solution.

Car Inspections, Repairs, and More At T3 Atlanta

Taking the time and resources to properly care for and maintain your trusted vehicle goes a long way toward its long-standing performance and safety. T3 Atlanta offers affordable and efficient services for Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, and Infiniti drivers. Our team can review and gauge the cost of flood and water damage. Give us a call to have one of our award-winning mechanics care for your vehicle today!

From unpaved lots bordering nature parks and hiking trails, grassy fields acting as festival parking, off-roading adventures that went off the rails, or even unpredictable weather systems dropping heavy rain in a short span, each of these circumstances can leave you inconvenienced and out of luck. This handy guide spotlights the possible methods if you find your car stuck in the mud.

Car Stuck In The Mud? Do’s and Don’ts

Take a Moment to Evaluate the Situation and Survey the Damage

When attempting to get your vehicle out of this predicament, the most important thing to remember is not to panic. Try to keep your sense of calm, assess the situation, and create a strategic plan for you and any passengers to evacuate the vehicle. Once you have safely navigated your way out, it will be much easier to gauge the severity of the situation and potential damage to your car.

The Rocking Method

This handy trick may help you when your car is in shallow mud. Begin with a slight acceleration forward, then shift into reverse and attempt a similar movement backward, being cautious not to initiate wheel spinning. The continuous rocking back and forth can accomplish enough momentum to get your vehicle out of the mud.

The Car Mat Technique

Believe it or not, your stylish car mats can quickly become a tool for regaining traction in slippery, muddy conditions. Use a jack to elevate the tires before placing a car mat below and in front of the wheels. Place the mats in front of and around the driver’s side wheel for front-wheel-drive cars and near the passenger-side wheel for real-wheel vehicles. This technique should allow your car to gain sufficient momentum to escape the mud.

What Not to Do

Spin your Wheels

Most car tires tightly grip paved roads and highways and often struggle to gain traction while submerged in mud. Hastily slamming the pedal to the metal to avoid further sinking will only act to spin your wheels without traction, digging you deeper into this mess. Ease off the gas pedal immediately if you get the impression your car is stuck in the mud.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Assistance

Asking for help getting your car out of the mud might be initially embarrassing. Still, you have a greater chance of getting yourself out quickly with someone outside the vehicle offering direction and guidance.

Finding yourself behind the wheel of a car stuck in the mud can make for an unpleasant experience. Still, you can circumvent some of the anxious discomforts of events like these by knowing your vehicle is in good condition and well-maintained. Pay attention to the scheduled upkeep of your car to make matters better during unexpected emergencies.

Car Repair And More At T3 Atlanta

T3 Atlanta recommends that every car owner routinely schedules maintenance and service to ensure the optimal performance of their vehicle. Keeping up to date with the service schedule can severely decrease the power and performance, potentially leaving you and your passengers vulnerable in an emergency.

If you drive a Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, or Lexus in the Atlanta area, give us a call today. Our team can keep your car running smoothly and your confidence sky-high with the peace of mind that you and your passengers are in good hands.

Thunderstorms continue to be one of the most prominent natural disasters throughout Georgia. Depending on your area of residence, Georgia sees rainfall on a year-round basis. Typically caused by severe storm systems unleashing vast amounts of rain over a short period, flash floods often appear without warning signals. Floodwaters surge downhill, leaving rural areas and cities vulnerable to significant damage. Read on to learn what to do if your car gets stuck in floodwater.

What to do if you encounter flood waters while driving

Flood warnings often are typically only broadcast once the flooding has already begun. If you observe flood warnings while driving, your most urgent priority should be getting out of your car and finding higher ground on foot. If this is not an immediate option, remember to remain calm and avoid panicked thoughts.

Unfasten your seatbelt, unlock your car doors, then engage your hazard and headlights as a signal, alerting emergency personnel of your location. Slowly open the windows and, if able, crawl out of your car. If you are unable to open the windows, you will need to wait for the water pressure to stabilize before being able to use the door to escape.

Once you can exit the car, swim to safer grounds as soon as possible and immediately call 911 if there is no one to assist you. Finding dry land as quickly as possible is crucial because even 6 inches of moving water can be powerful enough to knock many adults over.

What not to do if your car gets stuck in floodwater

First and foremost, do not panic. Take a moment for a deep breath, and try not to burn precious energy on distressed or frightened thoughts. Forget about valuable possessions inside the car and save that 911 call for once you’ve found dry land. Your total focus should be centered entirely on your safety at this moment. If you attempt to break open your car window before the water pressure has yet to equalize, broken glass can flow inwards toward you or your passengers.

Once you have safely exited the vehicle, immediately find higher ground. If you believe water levels have dropped to manageable levels, do not return to your car because flood waters could rise again without notice.

Can you avoid getting stuck in floodwaters?

Residents throughout the low country or those living near large bodies of water are especially at risk for flooding in their communities. Your safety is paramount if your town is experiencing a flood, and no one is longing to be behind the wheel of an automobile in the middle of a disaster. However, proper preparedness can help you keep your wits under pressure and survive a flood in your car.

Avoid large pools of water on the road if you suddenly find yourself caught in a flood or flash flood, as gauging the depth of water on the street is nearly impossible, especially at night. A 6-inch puddle of water can result in power loss and costly damage to your vehicle, while waters 1 to 2 feet deep are powerful enough to jettison most cars from the road. This guide examines the valuable safety measures you can take to prepare yourself better if you are caught by surprise by flooded waters while driving.

Car Repairs And More At T3 Atlanta

In theory, we can all avoid a flood by keeping up with daily weather forecasts, but flash floods are erratic and hard to predict. Knowing your car is prepared for harsh weather conditions can instill valuable peace of mind while behind the wheel. T3 Atlanta has kept Lexus, Infiniti, Nissan, and Toyota drivers safely on the road since proudly opening our doors in 1994. Make an appointment by giving us a call today!

The winter season is in full swing, and it’s time to prep your vehicle for the worst. One of the essential parts of winter driving is having snow chains on hand, just in case you need them. Today we’re going to talk about how to put snow chains on your tires.

But first, let’s talk about why snow chains are even necessary.

Why should you put snow chains on your tires?

Snow chains come in different sizes, designs, and materials. If you’re driving on a snowy or icy road, then your tires must have the correct type of snow chains to help prevent skidding and maintain control of your vehicle.

Snow chains can also improve traction and grip when roads are wet and slippery. They increase traction and help prevent skidding, especially when the wheels lose contact with the road.

What are the different types of snow chains?

Snow chains can be divided into two general types: tire and cable chains.

Tire chains

Tire chains are made of metal and attach to your tires. Tire chains are usually made of steel or alloy and provide better grip than cable chains because the teeth dig deeper into the road’s surface.

Cable chains

Cable chains consist of a series of metal links, and they attach to your wheel rims. Cable chains give you more stability while driving in slushy conditions, but tire chains are stronger overall because the links lock together when you turn the steering wheel.

How to put snow chains on your tires

If you’re driving in slippery conditions and it’s recommended that you put snow chains on your tires, then here are the steps to follow.

1. Park your vehicle and, for safety reasons, leave it in park or neutral with the parking brake firmly applied.
2. Loosen the bolts that attach the chains to your tire with pliers or a wrench. This will make putting them on easier later, but don’t remove them altogether.
3. If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, attach one end of the chain behind one tire and loop it around the other side. If you have a four-wheel or all-wheel drive, be sure to secure it behind each tire.
4. Repeat step three for the other side of the vehicle if needed.
5. Tighten down the bolts with your pliers or wrench to secure the chains in place and prevent them from falling off when you’re driving around.
6. Once the chains are on, test them by taking your vehicle for a short spin around the block.
7. If everything seems in order, you can drive onto the snowy or icy road and continue driving normally. Keep at least ten car lengths between yourself and other vehicles on the road, so you don’t risk sliding into them.
8. If you’re driving in highly snowy conditions, you can tighten the chains by their bolt connections to ensure they don’t move around too much and come off.

Other winter driving essentials to keep in your car

Aside from snow chains, there are different winter driving essentials that you should always keep in your car. These are things that will be helpful when you are in a pinch during the winter season.

Keep these items in your trunk so they are ready to use at all times:

• Pair of gloves
• Small shovel (to dig your car out)
• Salt (or other de-icing agents like cat litter or sand that can be used on the road if needed)
• Blankets
• Flashlight and batteries
• Flares or reflective triangle (for greater visibility in case you get stuck at night)
• Jumper cables
• First aid kit
• Basic tool kit (with pliers, wrench, screwdriver, and other things that might prove helpful)
• Water and snacks (in case you get stuck in your car for any reason)

Winter Repair And Maintenance Services In Atlanta

If you are in Atlanta and looking for a repair shop that can help you and your car out, then T3 Atlanta is always your best bet.

T3 Atlanta is a trusted name in providing general automotive repair services for Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, and Toyota vehicles in the Atlanta Metro Area. Give us a call today, and we’ll have you penned in for a visit in the soonest time possible.

The drive-in theatre was a mainstay of the mid-20th century, and many have gone the way of the dodo. However, some drive-ins do still exist, including one here in Atlanta. With many theatres still closed or running with limited capacity, and spring bringing warmer weather to our city, it’s the perfect time to go to a drive-in theatre. If you’ve never been to a drive-in and want to give it a try, here are our top tips for drive-in theatres to make your night out a success.

1. Look at the weather report

Drive-ins don’t just operate in perfect weather; they’ll be open rain or shine. All the same, it’s a good idea to look at the weather report before you go and plan accordingly.

If there’s a cold night ahead, pack some hand warmers, hot cocoa, and a blanket or two. If it’s going to be raining, you may want to bring a towel to combat condensation forming on the windows. (Alternately, you can always stick an umbrella outside of your window so you can keep the windows open and yourself dry.)

2. Bring a radio

Your movie’s sound is broadcast through FM radio. You can always rely on your vehicle’s battery to get you through the film (just make sure to run your car during intermission so you don’t completely drain your battery). However, you can also bring your own radio and tune in to the indicated channel, saving your car’s battery and the need to get a jump start after the show.

3. Pack snacks and drinks

You can get concessions at the drive-in, but to save costs and also enjoy your favorite treats, you can also bring your own. Since you can’t have your car’s cabin lights on during the show, it’s best to pack food and drink that you can easily grab in the dark.

Candies, chips, and bagged popcorn are always perfect movie-watching snacks. For the health-conscious, hummus or veggies and chips are great alternatives.

4. Bring a spare battery pack

Although your drive-in theatre will have someone on hand ready to jump-start your car, you can also do it yourself with a portable battery pack. This option saves you some time as the person doing jump-start rounds may not begin until all other cars have left the drive-in.

5. Practice drive-in etiquette

You and your fellow drivers are at the drive-in for one purpose: to enjoy a movie. Since you’re in your car and not in a theatre, it’s important to practice drive-in etiquette and not distract others from their viewing experience.

Some basic tips include:

• Turn off your headlights
• Turn off your engine
• Park at least 10 feet away from other cars
• Don’t sit on top of or outside of your car during the movie
• If you’re using your car battery for audio, run your car during the intermission
• If you’re in an SUV or truck, park near the back of the lot to avoid obstructing other patrons’ view

Complete Auto Care At T3 Atlanta

Whether you need a battery replaced, want to keep your car on its maintenance schedule, or require more comprehensive repairs on your vehicle, T3 Atlanta can help. We provide fast and friendly service Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, and Toyota vehicles at our two convenient metro Atlanta locations. Give us a call and let us book you in for an appointment today!

There is unfortunately no way to completely eliminate the possibility of getting stuck on the side of the road, whether that’s due to an accident, a car breakdown, or severe weather. That’s why we’ve put together 6 essentials you should always have in your car to help your wait be as safe – and comfortable – as possible.

1. Flashlight

Every smartphone has a flashlight app these days, but it’s still important to have a dedicated flashlight on hand in your vehicle. If you’re stuck on the side of the road, it’s best to reserve your phone’s battery life for calls.

Before your trip, it’s a good idea to check to make sure the batteries are still working. Better yet, keep some spare batteries on hand for peace of mind that your flashlight won’t run out of juice.

2. Water and snacks

If you’re going on a road trip, there’s a good chance you’ve already packed snacks and beverages for your journey.

However, it’s important to keep water and snacks on hand even if you’re planning to stick to city driving. You never know when you might wind up getting stuck in traffic due to a road closure, or on the side of the road after your car breaks down. If you’re going to be waiting in your car for a while, it’s best to do so comfortably!

3. Cell phone charger (that isn’t attached to your vehicle)

A dedicated cell phone charger is one of those often-overlooked essentials you should always have in your car since most people charge their phones via USB ports.

However, if your car’s battery is dead or you can’t access the USB ports for any reason (such as after an accident), a handheld battery pack will ensure you can keep using your phone when you need it most.

4. Car jack and emergency tire

Many vehicles come with a car jack and emergency tire. If you don’t have one, it may be a good idea to keep one on hand – especially if you have a long commute or regularly drive long distances.

You’ll want to check the air pressure in your spare tire every time you get your tires rotated to help ensure that you don’t wind up stuck on the side of the road with a busted tire and a flat spare.

Alternately, you can always keep a tire repair kit in your vehicle. Just keep in mind that these only work on small punctures and won’t work on tire blowouts.

5. First aid kit

First aid kits often come in handy at the least expected moments – whether at a kids’ sporting event, after a hike in the woods, after getting scraped on rocks at the beach, and more. A first aid kit is invaluable to have and can, of course, be customized with spare medications specific to your family’s needs.

You’ll want to check the contents of your kit every year and replace any medications or ointments that have expired.

6. Emergency escape tool

We hope you never have to use one of these, but an emergency escape tool is an affordable, lifesaving device designed to quickly cut seatbelts and break windows.

Unlike the rest of your kit, you’ll want to make sure this tool is within easy reach so you aren’t scrambling to find it during an emergency.

Specific Travel Considerations

If you’re planning to travel into the mountains during the winter or across the desert in the middle of summer, you may want to take a few minutes to gather some situation-specific supplies for your trip.

If you’re planning to travel through a snowy area, the following essentials you should always have in your car include:

• Sand or kitty litter
• Shovel
• Blankets
• Hand warmers
• Snow scraper
• Jumper cables

Some regions in the western US have extremely long distances between gas stations, so it may be a good idea to pack the following (in addition to the essentials above) just in case:

• Sunscreen
• Extra water (a sports drink with electrolytes is even better)
• A broad-brimmed hat

Avoid Getting Stuck On The Side Of The Road With T3 Atlanta

These top essentials you should always have in your car are meant to be emergency backups to help keep you comfortable – and hydrated – in case your vehicle breaks down. The best way to prevent your car from breaking down in the first place is to ensure your vehicle is on its regular maintenance schedule. T3 Atlanta can help. With our two convenient metro Atlanta locations, we’ll keep your car in top condition for years to come. Give us a call today, and we’ll book you in for prompt service!