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Deep Water and Cars Don’t Mix!

How Do you Fix Flood Damage in the Car?

Flooding is a harsh reality for many who live in places that receive heavy rain during the spring and summer. With the rain comes potential for flooding, and if your car gets stuck in the middle of it, it can result in extensive damage. So how do you fix flood damage in the car? We’ll give you some starting tips and tricks to get the clean-up process going!

There are a few important things to remember before trying to clean up your flooded vehicle.

When in doubt, have it towed to a trusted service center.

Do not start the engine unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure that there is no water in any part of it.

Contact your insurance company before doing anything to make sure you understand what is covered and what they need you to do.

Now that you’ve taken care of the basics, you should try these next steps to minimize any damage.

Find out how much water your car was in: Usually the water will leave a line along the side of the vehicle if it reached above the tires. If it was below the doors, your car is most likely okay. Any higher and you are looking at some work ahead.

Try and soak up some water: Despite the fact that the mold will grow quickly, you might be able to keep it at bay by pulling out all the floor mats and other removable fabric. If the water reached the upholstery, there’s a good chance you’ll have to replace it to avoid mold.

Check all the fluids: This means the oil, transmission, brake, power steering, fuel… all of them. Any water contamination can mean serious damage without being flushed first. If there is water in any of these fluids, it’s important to bring it to a service center, pronto!

Even if your vehicle passes most of these tests and you work to repair damage, there’s a high likelihood that the vehicle will experience issues related to the flood down the road. This might mean months, weeks, or even years. It might make sense in some situations to have the vehicle totaled and to find a new one!

We hope that these tips help to get you out of a messy situation easily and affordably. Nobody likes the hassle of a flooded car, but when it happens, your friendly team at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine is here to help! Give us a call and we’ll make sure we get you back on the road as quickly as possible.