What to do when your car is flooded?

1. Remove the negative battery cable

Disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery on the one hand helps to avoid short circuit, on the other hand helps to protect the ECU or computer box from damage.

2. Do not restart the vehicle

If water has entered the engine, transmission, or fuel system, restarting the vehicle will only cause further damage. Instead, push the vehicle to elevated ground or attempt to raise the vehicle using a jack normally used for changing tires.

3. Remove the handbrake

For manual transmission, shift to 1st gear; for automatic transmission, shift to P, to avoid sticking. This is especially important for vehicles with drum brakes.

4. Take photos of the interior and exterior of the car

Keeping records of all damage and the extent of water damage will be helpful for both insurance and vehicle repairs.

5. Wait at least 24 hours

Don't touch the car, let it dry.

6. Do not restart the car if water gets into the dashboard.

If the car is submerged to the point where water enters the dashboard, do not restart the car. If water enters the cylinders, the engine will be damaged. Most of the electrical equipment in the car will also be affected if the car is submerged to this level.

7. Check the dipstick if the vehicle is not submerged too deeply.

If you think the car is not flooded, you should still check the dipstick for signs of water entering the lubrication system. If there is, there is a high chance that the engine is flooded, so do not restart the car.

8. Take your car to a professional mechanic for inspection.

If you see water only below the wheel hubs, you can be 90% sure that it is safe. However, you should still dry the interior and remove all carpets to dry. On newer cars, many electrical wires and some computer components are located under the floor mats and center console, so even if the engine compartment is not flooded, the electrical system can still fail.