What to do in case of car flooding during bad weather: step-by-step instructions for drivers

Owners of cars that have suffered from flooding due to bad weather should remember that the process of restoring their pet should begin as soon as possible. The longer your car stays in water, especially muddy or salty water, the more likely it is to damage its main systems.

In the context of abnormal downpours in the Ukrainian capital, during which the streets of Kyiv literally turned into Venice and cars were floating on the roads, OBOZREVATEL decided to tell you what to do with your car after such incidents. Experts from the Autozone website shared their advice.

First of all, you need to remember that a flooded car should not be started. Pull it out of the water as soon as possible, disconnect the battery and start the recovery process.

If you are repairing water damage yourself, the first thing you should do is contact your insurance company and then try the following steps:

1. Do not start the car with the key. A high water level above the engine compartment means that water has entered the intake tract and is likely inside any cylinder with an open intake or exhaust valve. Attempting to start the vehicle at this point will result in a hydraulic lock and damage to the engine that could still be repaired;

2. Disconnect the battery as soon as possible. In fact, disconnecting the battery before a flood when there are preconditions for it (e.g., a hurricane) is a good practice. Many electrical components in your vehicle have "constant power". Water mixed with electric current will cause these components to fail, whereas otherwise they may be saved by simple cleaning and drying.

3. Open the windows, if possible. If they are electric, open the doors.

4. Look for the highest point where the water has reached. This will give you an idea of the level of damage. If it's low, below the dashboard, that's the best option. If the water is above the dashboard, then all the electrical components inside the dashboard and the engine itself have been soaked with water.

5. Pour the rest of the water out of the vehicle. If the water level was low enough to not penetrate the dashboard area, then the car is probably not completely lost. Begin by removing any remaining water from the floors with a pump and/or an industrial vacuum cleaner. Remove any plugs to allow water to escape. If there are any on the door, remove the door panels and hose down the bottom of the door. Once all the water has been removed, you will need to install fans on the vehicle to dry the interior quickly, otherwise mold will develop.

7. Change the engine and transmission oil. Regardless of whether the water level was lower than the engine level, it is best to completely drain and refill the engine oil, transmission oil, and differential fluid, as all may have water in them.

8. Remove the spark plugs. The vehicle can then be turned by hand or cranked to see if water is leaking from the spark plug holes. If it does not, water probably has not entered the engine. Remove all piping from the intake tract and inspect it for dirt or grime indicative of flood water. Rinse the entire intake system clean.

9. Check the fuel system. Pump out some gas and look for water. Water weighs more than gas, so make sure the siphon is at the bottom of the fuel tank. If you find that water is mixed with gas, your tank will need to be drained and cleaned.

10. Check the other fluids. The brakes, clutch, power steering, and coolant reservoirs on most new vehicles are sealed, but water can seep in.

11. Check the electrical systems. If the main electrical systems are below the waterline, they will probably need to be replaced, although some can be rinsed, cleaned and left to dry. Checking and troubleshooting flooded electricals will often be the most difficult of all vehicle inspections.

To recap: On July 7, Kyiv was hit by another heavy downpour. Some streets have already been flooded. The bad weather turned the capital's roads into rivers, with cars and people literally floating on them. Localized flooding occurred in Holosiivskyi and Pecherskyi districts, Demiivka turned into Venice, and water flooded the bus station.

Also, in one of the capital's districts, a girl who was trying to cross the road was swept away by the water. She managed to get out of the "river" but did not try to cross the road again.

It was difficult for cars to move around the city, as they were bound by the powerful flow of rainwater. The water level on some streets rose so high that cars and public transport were practically floating on the streets. Parked cars were flooded up to their side windows.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, a powerful thunderstorm also hit the capital region on the evening of July 6. The natural phenomenon was characterized not only by rain and wind, but also by scary and at the same time fantastically beautiful lightning.

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