What Do You Do When There's Water In Your Car?

What Do You Do When There’s Water In Your Car?

Do the spring rain and summer thunderstorms strike a fear in your heart? Are you worried that one of these days, your car is going to take a swim and you won’t know how to get the water out? Well we are here to prepare you for the day that your car is flooded. What do you do when there’s water in your car? We’ll tell you how to prevent further damage and clean up the mess!

First, remember that your vehicle is NOT meant to have water up past the wheels. It can seriously damage the engine, electronic systems, and the interior. The most important thing you need to remember is to avoid starting the vehicle! Doing this may ruin your engine if there is water inside. Don’t do it.

When in doubt, have your vehicle towed to your local service center. Better safe than sorry when it comes to water, but these are a few things you can try:

Check to see how deep the water was. Is there a line along the side of the vehicle to show where the water was? If the water was below the doors, your vehicle is most likely fine, but higher than the doors can mean trouble. Anywhere near the dashboard and you will be in more serious trouble.

Get in contact with your insurance company. If you have comprehensive insurance, there’s a good chance the flood damage will be covered. You might want to hurry though, as insurance companies will probably be getting a lot of calls after a good flood.

Try and dry the interior. Soak up as much water as possible. Cloth that got wet will grow mold quickly, so replacing things like the floor mats and seat upholstery might be necessary.

Check all your vehicle’s fluids. Things like the oil, fuel system, brake, and power steering fluid may be contaminated. Older cars have a higher chance of needing to get systems flushed.

Consider having the car totaled. It might sound like a nightmare, but the problems you might face down the road from a flood can end up costing more than the car is worth. If the damage is extensive this might be your best option.

We hope this list of tips comes in handy during these rainy months in Wisconsin! It can be a real struggle to solve a flooded car situation, but with a little effort and some help from the insurance company, you can get back on the road in no time!