Heavy rains are producing enough water to flood area roads. The depth of standing water during a storm may be misleading. Vehicle operators should never drive through standing water at any depth. Should you be driving on the road and come across standing water, your most secure course of action is always to simply just turn the automobile around and avoid it completely. Regardless of how familiar you may be with the road, never drive through standing water—at any depth—as it could cause serious damage to your car or truck. If a car is driven through standing water, a motorist risks flooding the engine, warping brake rotors, loss of power steering, or a short in the electric components of the vehicle, all of which can be costly to repair.
Four Fast Flood Facts
1. Just one foot of water can “float” most cars.
2. Two feet of running water can sweep away most vehicles—including sports utility vehicles and pick-ups.
3. Repair costs for damage brought on by driving through standing water may range from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars.
4. Never try to start a car or truck which is underwater.
How to proceed if your vehicle does become submerged:
- Before attempting to start up a flood-damaged car or truck, contact a trusted auto technician like Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body in Arnold, MO and make an appointment to have them examine all readily accessible mechanical and electrical elements, and systems that contain fluids, for water contamination.
- Drain floodwater from corrupted components and systems, flush with clean water or a proper solvent, and refill with new clean fluids of the proper type.
- Check out, clean, and dry electrical system parts and connections.
Get A Grip – An Arnold, Missouri Self-Help Guide To Wet Weather Techniques
Safe driving during heavy rain begins with good tire tread, firm brakes, and streak-free wipers. Wet weather driving strategies will help motorists deal with diminished visibility and traction, steering, braking, and skid control.
- The best way to stop on a slippery surface if your car or truck does not have antilock brakes is to utilize threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and utilize the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal to the “threshold” of locking your brakes.
- Utilize your defroster to keep front and back windshields clear. On a cold day, move the heat control to “hot” and let the engine warm up prior to turning on the defrosters and blowers. This will prevent moisture from gathering on the inside of the glass. If the glass becomes foggy, open a window slightly and turn the defroster fan to a greater speed. Use your air conditioner to lessen humidity.
- When you drive on wet streets, mud and dirt splash on your headlights, decreasing illumination by as much as 90 percent. Stop occasionally on a long trip to clean your headlights.
- When visibility is so limited that you can’t see the edges of the road or other cars at a safe distance, it is time to pull off and wait for rain to let up. It’s best to stop at a rest area or leave the freeway and go to a protected area. If the roadside is your sole option, pull off the road as far as you're able, preferably past the end of a guardrail. Cars and trucks parked at the side of the road tend to be struck by other drivers. Appreciate the limitations of diminished visibility and turn headlights off and emergency flashes on to warn other drivers.
Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body, serving Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO, wants to ensure that you are safe when you need to travel in possibly dangerous conditions. If your vehicle’s been submerged in floodwater, or if you just have other questions about safe driving, contact Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body at 636-464-6080.
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