What to Do When Your Car Gets Flooded?
2 Answers
If water enters the exhaust pipe after driving through water and the engine stalls, do not attempt to restart it forcefully. Immediately call for roadside assistance and wait for help. If the exhaust pipe is not severely flooded, you can inspect the electronic systems yourself, remove accumulated water under the car body, remove the spark plugs to drain some water from the engine, and then reinstall the spark plugs. If the flooding is severe, you will need roadside assistance to tow the car to a repair shop. If the exhaust pipe is flooded, it will require simple cleaning and drying before it can function properly again.
Last year, I encountered a situation where my car was flooded during heavy rain, with water nearly reaching the door level. I immediately turned off the engine and disconnected the negative terminal of the battery to prevent short circuits and potential fires. Then, I climbed onto the roof to call for rescue and took photos of the water level for the insurance company while waiting for the tow truck. After being towed to the repair shop, the mechanic removed the seats and carpets for thorough cleaning, and also disassembled the engine to drain water and replaced the engine oil. This experience taught me: never attempt to restart the engine after flooding, as water entering the engine will make repairs even more expensive. Always avoid parking in low-lying areas, and it's crucial to keep a window breaker in the car. Nowadays during the rainy season, I park my car under elevated bridges, preferring to walk a bit farther rather than taking risks.
