Can you still drive your car if it's flooded? What are the consequences of a car flooded?

When encountering heavy rain, torrential rain, typhoon and other weather conditions, many car owners are particularly worried about whether there is deep water on the road. This is especially true when parking in an underground garage, where the entire car may be soaked in water. So can you still drive a car that is flooded?

Can you still drive your car if it's flooded?

Whether the vehicle is parked or moving, if the depth of the water exceeds the upper part of the chassis, it is not recommended to drive the vehicle and the vehicle should be checked for warranty services in a timely manner.

Reason 1: Water also entered the engine air intake after the flooding

The engine's air intake will not be closed due to flameout, but the intake pipe does not have a sealing switch. As long as the water is higher than the car's engine air intake, water will enter the engine's air intake. Even if it has not entered the engine's combustion chamber, it will be sucked in immediately as soon as the car is ignited.

In this case the engine needs an overhaul, do not attempt to start it.

Reason 2: The electronic equipment in the car is damaged

The operation of a car requires not only fuel, but also ignition coils, spark plugs, ECU and other electronic components, and these components are most afraid of water. When the water in the basement is above the roof of the car, almost all the electronic equipment in the car is soaked in water. Some of these electronic devices are powered, and some are not. However, as long as the key is inserted and the power switch is turned on, all of them will be powered. At that time, some electronic components may burn out, so the car may not be powered successfully.

Reason 3: Interior damage

After a car is soaked in water, the interior of the car will be completely submerged, the seat cushions will be filled with dirty water, and the dashboard, on-board computer, etc. in the car may become useless.

Whether it is leather seats or velvet seats, they will become mud seats after being soaked in water. These things need to be thoroughly repaired and cleaned before they can be used again, so it is better to repair them after the water recedes.

What are the consequences of a car being flooded?

First of all, the metal parts on the car body will be severely corroded, and large areas of rust will appear, which will have a great impact on the appearance and life of the vehicle. The carpet, seats and interior decoration of the passenger compartment will also be seriously polluted and must be disassembled and cleaned!

Secondly, the electrical components and circuits on the car body will also be oxidized and short-circuited due to water ingress. Once power is turned on, some electronic components will burn out or spontaneously combust, which is very dangerous.

Finally, the sewage will enter the throttle, intake manifold, and the inside of the engine. Once the engine is restarted, the crankshaft connecting rod mechanism, piston, valve, and other parts will be damaged because the water cannot be compressed. In severe cases, the engine will be directly scrapped. The gearbox will also not work properly because of the mixing of water and the contamination of the gearbox oil!

Will the insurance company pay for my car if it's flooded?

If you don't have commercial insurance for your car, but only have compulsory traffic insurance, the insurance company will not pay for it. If you have commercial insurance with vehicle damage, you can file a claim after the flood, but it does not include engine damage. If you have also purchased flood insurance, you can claim for the engine.

However, if your vehicle is flooded, you must not start the vehicle, whether it is parked in a parking lot or basement, or if it stalls while driving, do not restart the engine to avoid causing secondary damage to the vehicle. If the damage is caused by a secondary ignition, no matter what insurance you buy, it will not be compensated.