The rainy season is here. If you’re a car owner, your main concern is the heavy rains and consequent flooding. It may be on the street you’re traversing or even at home where floodwaters can rise real quick, submerging your car in the garage or wherever it is parked.
Anyone who has experienced it would admit feeling a lot of consternation when they are forced to drive through deep floodwater, not only because of the worry that the car would stall but also on the effect on the parts that get submerged. Should your car get submerged in muddy water, in the street or at its parking place, make sure to take the necessary steps to prevent damage.
Vehicle Recovery and Remedy
Below is a list of crucial steps to take after your car has been submerged in water:
1. Do not start the car.
The number one rule you should always keep in mind is to not start your parked vehicle after it has been flooded. Doing so could cause the water that has gotten inside the engine to cause more damage. This critical condition known as hydrolock can render your car worthless in a matter of seconds.
Any vehicle that has been completely submerged (or if the water level has been higher than the dashboard) is generally considered a total loss. You can probably save it if it was only partially submerged. The secret is to move quickly and proactively as soon as possible. Make sure you can go on with the process of drying out your car immediately.
2. Check the mechanical components.
The next step is to take a wrench and manually turn the crank pulley without starting the engine. If it spins freely, it is most likely not waterlocked. If it doesn't, there's a strong possibility there's water in the engine.
If you are quite sure that there is no water in the engine, you must still examine other critical components such as the battery and wiring. Do not test any electrical components until the automobile has completely dried out. Otherwise, you risk damage and, even worse, electrical shocks. Once everything is dry, test all electrical functions such as the dashboard, radio, windows, side-view mirrors, doors, seats, lights, and so on.
Consider changing the engine and transmission oils, and inspect both for water. It is also a good idea to see if there’s water in the gasoline too. Car parts such as the brakes, clutch, and accelerator are especially vulnerable to flood damage and must be thoroughly checked.
3. Fix or replace interior parts.
If needed, take out all of the seats and carpets. As thoroughly as you can, wash and dry them. Simply letting the affected areas dry on their own is insufficient because floodwater is impure and contains a variety of pollutants and diseases. If the damage is extremely serious, you might have to buy new carpets and chairs.
With the doors and windows closed, the car won't be able to dry out, so ventilate it carefully. The shell can be parched with towels or a wet vacuum dryer. The footwells and places like the boot, where the spare wheel is located, will collect floodwater. You may remove the rubber floor plugs to allow the water to drain. It is of the utmost importance to thoroughly dry the automobile or you will be left with an unpleasant smell and bacteria buildup.
4. Make sure your insurance covers water-related damages.
Contact your insurance provider. Flood damage is usually covered by comprehensive (fire and theft) insurance, so even if you don't have collision coverage, repairs or replacement may be covered. Because your insurance company will most likely be inundated with claims, it's best to begin the process as soon as possible.
Verify that flood damage is covered by your insurance. Sometimes it's preferable to write off the vehicle and submit an insurance claim.
5. Have your car towed to the nearest maintenance center or workshop.
If possible, have a professional mechanic inspect your vehicle to ensure that everything is in working order. If it isn't, you must begin the insurance process. An insurance company representative will inspect your vehicle and determine whether it should be fixed or replaced.
If the cost of restoring the vehicle exceeds the value of the vehicle, the insurance company would most likely consider it a totaled vehicle. The insurance agent will submit your insurance claim together with photographic evidence of the damage to the firm for review.
Final Thoughts
Given that the monsoon rain season has officially arrived, we can anticipate a lot more storms in the upcoming months. Driving in these conditions can be rather challenging, and you must always be mindful of your surroundings.
Highways generally include puddles, which pose a risk to all types of cars. If at all possible, avoid them, but if you can't, make sure to maneuver through them carefully. If the place where you typically park your car is flood-prone, better to move your vehicle to higher ground or in a safe pay parking area if you’re expecting lots of rain due to an incoming typhoon.
May the steps listed above guide you to prevent totaling your car when you come across a flooded road and other circumstances involving water submersion.
If you would be needing a vehicle but can’t use yours because it has been submerged in floodwater, consider renting one instead. Check out DOON, the innovative peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace in the Philippines at www.doon.ph and download the DOON app from the App Store and Google Play Store. You can also follow DOON’s social media pages — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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