What to do when car goes into flooded area?

1. Never restart the car when it has stopped.

Never assume that the road is not too flooded and can be passed safely. You may be able to assess the level of flooding on the road, but you will not be able to control the situation of trucks and buses rushing through, because the waves can cause more serious damage to your vehicle.

You think: “It’s okay, the water is not too high, I’ll restart the engine”? Unfortunately, water entering the engine will cause hydro-lock; if you try to start the engine, it may bend or even break the connecting rod or the engine block. What you need to do is call a tow truck to take the car to a repair shop for the best solution, minimizing economic damage.

2. Assess the situation

How deep is the water? You need to determine the exact situation to come up with the best options.

* Water flooded under the car door sill

If the water is below the door sill or just above the wheel well, you can open the hood to check the airbox. Most new cars have the air intake system just behind the grille or under the hood, but some cars have the air intake system behind the headlights or front bumper. Even if the water level is not too high, it can still overflow these parts, causing the car to stall.

If the air intake is well above the water, the inside of the airbox is dry, and the ignition wires are free of water, then you can try restarting the car and driving to higher ground to perform a general vehicle inspection.

If any of these parts get wet, don't risk starting the engine again. Remember, cleaning a flooded car is much cheaper than dealing with a car that is not only flooded but also has a damaged engine.

* Water up to the car door: Open the window and climb out

Don’t try to open the car door because the water pressure from the outside will force the door shut. Also, do you want water to get inside the car? If you’re lucky and the water doesn’t rise any higher, you may not even need to clean the carpet afterwards.

* Water reaches windowsill or lower, but water level rises rapidly: Escape quickly!

At this point, your car is likely to be floating. Quickly climb out the window, abandon the car, and skip steps 3 and 4 below. Saving the car at this point is not worth the risk.

3. Disconnect the battery, turn off all electronic devices

If you can’t start the car and the water level continues to rise, disconnect the battery to prevent water from entering the electrical system or control box. If you know how to remove a car’s black box or audio system and have time, try to salvage them. Typically, the transmission control module inside the engine compartment is sealed to keep water out, but modules mounted on the outside are not.

If you are an electrician or an auto mechanic, or simply know how to remove these parts, great. If not, don’t worry! Remember, your safety comes first! Also, that’s why you should buy insurance that covers your car in case of flood damage.

4. Try pushing the car

If you are not alone or if there are passersby willing to help, you can try to push the car to higher ground. If nothing can be done, and the water is rising rapidly or is coming in through the windows, do not despair, being submerged in water, injured or possibly infected is much more dangerous than a flooded car.

After passing through the flooded road, you should go to the maintenance center to have the specialized technicians check and clean the car. Pay attention to washing the car, especially the chassis and wheels to remove trash, leaves, and stains. Change the oil because water may have penetrated the engine. Clean the seats and floor mats to prevent mold...