Does it matter if I forgot to close the car window on a rainy day?
4 Answers
Forgetting to close the car window on a rainy day does matter. Here are the relevant details: 1. Introduction: If you forget to close the window on a rainy day, by the time you remember, the car interior might already be flooded. Items inside the car soaked by rainwater can lead to electrical issues, and vehicle repairs can be quite costly. 2. Additional Information: If a large amount of water enters the car, remember not to start the vehicle. Incorrect operation can cause secondary damage to the car. If there is a lot of water inside, the seats will definitely get wet, so any removable parts should be taken out to prevent mold and rust.
Last time I encountered the same situation in the parking lot, the heavy rain completely soaked the driver's seat. The most troublesome part was the touchscreen malfunction after the center console got waterlogged, costing over 800 yuan to repair. Now I've set a 'Lock Car Check' reminder in my phone's memo. Water ingress in wiring poses the biggest risk, especially the window lift motor inside the door panel which is prone to burning out - I've had to replace this component in my car. Leather seats take three days of sun exposure to dry completely, while fabric ones may develop mold. If the rain isn't too heavy, temporarily covering window gaps with a waterproof car cover can serve as emergency protection - keeping one in the trunk is very practical.
Once I forgot to close the rear window when picking up my child, and half an inch of accumulated water soaked the area under the floor mats. After removing the seats and airing them out for two days, there was still a musty smell, so I ended up spending 300 yuan on ozone disinfection. Rainwater can seep into the carpet layers, and if not addressed promptly, it may cause the car frame to rust. The risk of leaving windows open is higher than with sunroofs, as rainwater can directly pour into the electrical circuits. I recommend keeping a window rain cover handy—these 30-yuan gadgets are quite effective. Nowadays, smartphones can check window status, so installing a remote control module is quite convenient.
Veteran drivers recommend paying close attention to the waterline. If water reaches the bottom edge of the door, you must dry out the carpet immediately. Otherwise, the sound insulation cotton will absorb water and turn into a breeding ground, even attracting cockroaches. Clean the mud in the electric window tracks right away—last year, I delayed cleaning and ended up with a jammed window regulator. Don’t count on sun exposure to remove moisture; water vapor trapped in the door panels can linger for half a month. Here’s a handy tip: Insert a towel into the window gap to absorb water—it’s more effective than a plastic bag in emergencies.
