08/06/2025
Flooded Car? Here's what to do:
1. Immediately disconnect the negative cable of your car battery to avoid any possible short circuit. This is also to protect the ECU or computer box from damage.
2. Do not start the engine. Try to push the car out to higher ground or try jacking it with the car jack.
3. Disengage and release the parking brake. Keep the transmission in 1st gear (for manual transmission) or "P" (for automatic transmission) to prevent the brake canvas from sticking. This is even more important for cars that use drum brakes.
4. Take plenty of photos both inside and outside the car to document any damage or how deep the car was underwater. This will be useful for both the Insurance and/or Professional Mechanic to determine the extent of the damage.
5. Wait at least 24 hours before you do anything to the vehicle, giving it time to drain, if not completely dry out.
6. If the water got so deep that the dashboard was covered, do not try to start it at all. If any liquid is in the cylinders it will cause damage to the engine. Most of the electronics in the car would have been submerged at this depth, as well.
7. If you don’t think the water got that high, it’s still best to take a look at the oil dipstick to see if there are any traces of water in the lubrication system. If so, assume the engine is flooded and don’t try to start it.
8. You’re in better shape if the water stayed below the center line of your wheels. Nevertheless, let the interior air out as much as possible before trying to start it, taking out the floor mats, trunk mat and even the seats. Much of the wiring and some of the computers in today’s cars are located under the carpet and console box, so even if the engine compartment was not inundated, you could still experience faults to secondary systems.
9. When in doubt, either have your vehicle towed to your trusted service center or call your professional mechanic/electrician for a more thorough inspection and assessment.
