How To Prevent Water From Damaging Your Car

Water exposure can damage almost every part of your car; it can affect the engine, the transmission, the electrical and electronic parts, and even the rubber parts. The risk of water damage particularly increases during the storm season. Fortunately, the following measures can help you avoid water damage to your car:

Always Park Inside a Covered Area If Possible

The first tip is to park your car in a covered area whenever possible. This should be the case whether a storm is focused or not because the weather guys are not always a hundred percent accurate. Doing this keeps water away from your car as long as the storm isn't strong enough to damage the structure housing your car.

Leave the Car Sealed In Case It's Parked Outside

If you can't find a covered parking area, then the next best thing to do is to ensure the car is properly sealed before living it. Make sure all the doors are closed, all the windows are rolled up, the trunk is shut, and the sunroof is closed. That is, every opening in the car should be closed to reduce the risk of water damage to the interior. That way, it will only take an overwhelming flood to damage the car.

Head to High Ground If a Storm Is Coming

If you are with the car when a storm is focused, then you should do your best to head to a higher ground before the storm hits. This way you will be able to avoid surface runoff flooding, which flows from higher to lower ground due to the action of gravity. Just drive to the highest ground possible even if it's out of your way and wait for the storm to pass.

Avoid Pools of Water on the Road

Driving through pools of water on the road is a bad idea, particularly after or during a storm. You won't know how deep the pools are and you could easily get caught in it, exposing your car to further damage. Avoid such things by driving around pools of water on the road whenever possible.

Shut Off the Engine If You Can't Avoid Water

If you find yourself in a pool or water or in a flood that you can't drive out of, then the next best thing to do is to turn off the engine. Doing that reduces the risk of transmission or engine water damage because the water won't be circulated along with the fluids in the car. It also prevents damage to the electrical parts of the car because electricity won't be flowing through the car.

Hopefully, you won't be dealing with water damage to your car any time soon. If your car does get exposed to water, however, clean away the water as much as possible and tow it to a mechanic as soon as possible. In many cases, you will be able to prevent extensive damage by moving fast. For more information, contact a company like Benchmark Motors Inc.