What to Do If Your Car Gets Flooded in a Heavy Rain?

[DeRachel]

Turn off the engine, do not restart it, and then call for rescue. Try to loosen the battery cable fastener with a wrench and remove the negative battery cable. Dry the vehicle's wiring; promptly replace the brake fluid and engine oil, clean the flooring and floor mats, and wash the seats and seat covers.

[Beth]

Oh man, my buddy's car got flooded in the heavy rain last time! Remember, the first reaction is to save your life - never attempt a second ignition! If water rises above half of the tires, evacuate immediately. If windows can't be broken, escape through the sunroof. Contact your insurance company to file a claim right away, take clear photos of the waterline and license plate, and remember to call for a rescue tow truck instead of driving recklessly. Sand easily gets into door gaps, so remember to remove seats and dry the carpets afterward. Flooded electronic components are fragile and prone to short circuits. I've seen this kind of situation many times - the repair costs could buy half a used car, and the worst fear is engine water damage that even major repairs can't fix.