Will leaving car windows open during heavy rain cause problems?

[SanLevi]

Leaving car windows open during heavy rain can allow water to enter the vehicle, potentially causing electrical system short circuits. Related information: 1. Precautions: If only a small amount of water has entered, the impact may be minimal, but for safety, it's best not to operate any electronic devices in the car, such as turning on lights or starting the engine, to prevent short circuits from water exposure. You can use the key to open the car door, and if it's still raining, cover the vehicle with an umbrella or waterproof cloth. 2. Additional tips: Wet seats may develop mold - never use a hot air blower to dry them. If your car has seat heating function, you may use it to accelerate water evaporation. After air drying, use leather polish cleaner. For sponge seats, you may remove all seat components and air dry the sponge interior.

[LaCharlie]

I encountered the same situation before during a business trip. After the heavy rain, the entire driver's seat was completely soaked. The fabric seat absorbed water like a sponge, and you could squeeze water out when pressing it. The most troublesome part was the electrical system – it turned out rainwater had seeped into the center console, causing the window control buttons to malfunction. The mechanic said the metal connectors had rusted and needed a full module replacement. Now whenever there's sudden heavy rain, I immediately look for a parking lot and use towels to block window gaps as an emergency measure. After all, the repair cost could cover half a year's car insurance. By the way, extra caution is needed for sunroof-equipped cars – leaks can directly drip onto the overhead circuit board.

[LillianaMarie]

Water ingress into the car is most damaging to electronic devices, as submerged wiring under the steering wheel can easily cause short circuits. Last week, a neighbor's Lexus malfunctioned after being waterlogged, with even the push-button start failing. It's advisable to disconnect the battery's negative terminal immediately after rain, remove floor mats for drying, and use a wet/dry vacuum for carpet water extraction. Leather seats should be wiped twice with suede cloth. If water levels rise above the gearshift base, remember to inspect the transmission control module. I've seen someone throw two boxes of desiccant into the car with surprisingly good results.

[McHazel]

My girlfriend once forgot to close the rear window while shopping, and later found the rain had swollen her power bank. After leather seats get wet from rain, they should be wiped dry immediately, otherwise permanent ring-shaped water stains may form. The acidic substances in rainwater can corrode metal parts; if the window regulator tracks rust, opening the window will produce a creaking sound. Here's a little trick: wrap a dry towel around a tennis ball and wedge it under the window frame to absorb about 80% of the accumulated water. For soaked seat belts, remember to pull out the entire length to air dry, otherwise the musty smell can linger for three months.