What to Do When Your Car Is Flooded?
2 Answers
Seek maintenance and repairs immediately as rainwater and sewage have strong corrosive effects on the vehicle body. Flooded vehicles should be towed to a repair shop for treatment. Contact your insurance company to arrange for damage assessment. Request repairs, disassembly, and cleaning, along with rustproofing treatment for the vehicle chassis. Inspect the brakes, brake fluid, and electrical circuits, and ensure proper ventilation and dehumidification inside the car.
I remember last time my friend's car got flooded, the water had already reached the door when he got out. The most critical thing in this situation is not to force-start the engine, as a second ignition can cause severe damage to the engine. You need to first assess the water level—if it's only up to half the wheel height, quickly push the car to higher ground, turn off the engine, and remove the key. If water has already entered the car, immediately unbuckle the seatbelt and open the door to escape. If the door won't open, use an escape hammer to break the corner of the window. After that, contact the insurance company to file a claim right away and arrange for a tow truck to take the car to a professional repair shop. During repairs, a thorough inspection of the electrical system, engine, and transmission is necessary, and all water-contaminated fluids should be replaced. The towing fee can actually be claimed from the insurance company, so remember to keep photos of the scene and repair receipts.