What to do when 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 car will only make the damage worse. Instead, push the car to high ground or try to raise the car with a jack normally used for changing tires.

3. Release the handbrake

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

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

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

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 car's electrical components will also be affected if the car is submerged to this extent.

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

If you think the car is not flooded deeply, check the dipstick for signs of water getting into the lubrication system. If there is, there is a good chance the engine is flooded too, so do not try to restart the car.

8. Take the car to a professional mechanic for inspection

If you see water only below the wheel hubs, you can rest assured that it is 90% 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 malfunction.