Car stuck in rain flooded road? Here’s a How-to guide

The monsoon season brings heavy rains in many parts of the country. These rains, coupled with inadequate drainage systems in cities, flood roads and parking lots. Being a car owner, you must understand that floods can be the final resting place for your car. Flooded parking lots and city roads can destroy your vehicle. Today, we will explain what you should do when your car is stuck in rain-flooded roads.

What to do if your car is stuck in water?

As rains flood the roads, there could be very little time to get away from it, maybe due to heavy traffic, quickly rising water or unforeseen circumstances. Here are the steps to take.

Immediate steps to take

Stay calm. If you panic, you might end up causing more damage to your car and also risk your own safety.

If your car is stuck and not moving, turn off the engine. If the engine stops running on its own, do not try to restart it, as flood water can damage the engine, transmission and electrical system. Trying to start the engine in hydrolock condition can completely destroy the engine.

If the flood condition is not severe, you can get out of the car and get to a safe spot nearby and call emergency services.

Precautionary measures

If possible, disconnect the battery terminals and avoid using any electrical equipment like the infotainment system.

Do not try to start the engine by any means; if possible take help to push your car away from deep water to shallow water or completely out of water. This will minimise any further damage to the critical components of your car.

Check for water inside the cabin and oil or fuel leaks under the car. This way, you can assess how much damage has been caused to your car.

Steps to take post-flooding

Here are certain steps you can take post-flooding to get your car back in running condition.

• If the flood isn’t severe, you need to get as much water out as possible through a wet/dry vacuum cleaner
• Use towels and absorbent clothes to wipe out the water from the upholstery and floor
• Open all the doors for ventilation
• Park in the sun or use table fans to dry out the interior
• In case the damage is severe, take proof of damage, such as photos and videos and call your car insurance provider
• Get your car towed to a car garage for repairs or replacement

Inspection and repair

You must get professional help for your flood-affected car. A complete car inspection from a trusted workshop will get you a report of the level of damage your car has taken. Only after an inspection can you get an estimate of repairs and replacements needed in your car.

Preventative Measures for the Future

Many things cannot be avoided, but you can prevent car flood damage by taking preventive measures in case of flooding. Follow these flooded car safety tips:

• If you see the road flooded ahead, just stop right there, go back or take an alternate route
• Check if your parking spot accumulates water during the rainy season
• Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads to prevent car flood damage
• Take public transport like Bus or Metro during heavy rainfall
• Avoid taking roads through underpasses as water accumulates quickest in them
• Opt for underbody anti-rust coating to protect your car’s underbody from rusting during the rainy season.

H2 - Common problems with a flooded car

Flooded cars have numerous problems in different areas. Read on to understand:

Hydrolock

Flooding causes severe damage to the engine because water gets inside the cylinders, causing a hydrostatic lock or hydrolock. When hydrolocked, if you try to start the engine, the pistons can break, and connecting rods can bend, leading to complete engine failure. This requires extensive repairs and replacement of engine parts or sometimes a new engine altogether.

Rust

Flood water can quickly trigger widespread rust on a car. Hence, all the rusted surfaces should be dried and repainted to prevent further rusting.

Water stains

Muddy rainwater can leave stains on your car's interior and painted surface. These stains can be hard to remove from the upholstery inside the cabin. Get proper professional car cleaning to eliminate all the stains.

Mud and debris

Rainwater is full of mud and debris, which can deposit inside your cabin. If it is not removed correctly and promptly, it can lead to mould growth and a foul smell.

Damp carpeting

Driving through flooded roads can dampen the car’s interior carpets. If that happens, you should park in the sun or use a fan or car heater (in case your engine is fine) to dry out the carpets.

Electrical system damage

Damage to the electrical system is extremely common in flood damaged cars through short circuits and corrosion of the wiring harness. The damage can spread across all the electronic sub-systems and sensors considerably increasing the repairs and replacement cost.

Bad transmission

In modern front wheel drive cars, the transmission is located near the differential which can be among the first components to get exposed to flood waters. Prolonged exposure to rainwater can lead to transmission oil leakage and damage to the gearing system.

Damaged exhaust system

The complete exhaust system is routed under the body of the car. There is a high chance that water can enter the exhaust system through the exhaust nozzle and can damage the muffler and catalytic converter.

Conclusion

Knowing what to do if your car is flooded can prevent costly damage and ensure your safety. Understand what you can do to avoid driving through flooded roads. If stuck, follow car flood damage steps immediately to get out of the situation, prioritising your own safety and minimising damage to your car.

FAQs

Q. How To Clean A Car That Has Water Damage?
Follow these steps to clean a water-damaged car:

1. Remove excess water: Open all doors and, with the help of a wet vacuum cleaner, remove the accumulated water.
2. Dry the interior: Park in the sunshine or use fans to dry the carpets, upholstery, and other damp areas inside the cabin.
3. Deep clean and disinfect: Get an interior car spa or clean the carpets and upholstery with a disinfectant solution. Dry the cabin with fans or by parking in the sunshine.
4. Ventilate the cabin: Avoid the growth of mould, and leave windows open for complete drying.

Q. Where Do Cars Usually Leak In Rainy Weather?
Car can leak through faulty door seals, cracked windshield or window glass, boot door leakage, or clogged sunroof drain.

Q. What to do if your car has flood damage?
If your car has flood damage, you have to take the following steps:

1. Keep yourself safe and calm
2. Do not start the engine
3. Turn off the ignition and disconnect the battery terminal if possible
4. Take videos and photos of the flood damage
5. Contact your insurance provider for repairs

Q. Is it safe to buy flood damaged cars?
No, it is not advised to purchase flood-damaged cars because some damage can left unrepaired even after extensive repairs and replacement. This can cause engine problems, rust issues and electrical problems.

Q. What happens to the car when the engine is flooded?

Flooding can hydrolock the engine when water enters the combustion chamber and hinders the movement of the pistons. This can break the pistons and bend connecting rods, sometimes leading to complete engine failure.