Prolonged heavy rain has caused many roads to be deeply flooded, increasing the risk of cars being flooded if drivers handle them incorrectly. According to a technician at the Ninety Eight Auto Motorcycle Repair, Maintenance and Care Center (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City), just one wrong operation after the car stalls can cause serious engine damage and incur very large repair costs.
The most important thing to remember is to absolutely not try to restart the engine when the car suddenly stalls in a flooded area. This is the top principle to help limit the risk of water damage.
Water damage occurs when water enters the combustion chamber through the air intake. Because water is almost impossible to compress, the driver continuing to start the engine can cause the wing to be bent, the piston or internal details of the engine to be seriously damaged. Depending on the car model and the level of damage, the repair cost can be up to tens, even hundreds of millions of VND.
Technicians at Ninety Eight Auto noted that, in reality, not every car stalling in a flooded area has been waterlogged. If the driver does not try to restart, water may not have had time to penetrate deep into the engine. At that time, the car usually only needs to be checked, the electrical system cleaned, the affected parts dried, and some components replaced if necessary, helping to significantly reduce repair costs.
After the car stalls, the driver should turn on the danger warning lights for other vehicles to easily recognize. If the water level continues to rise or the area is not safe, it is necessary to quickly leave the car and move to a safe place. Then, contact the rescue unit to take the car to the repair facility, where the technician will check the engine, electrical system and related parts before deciding on the handling plan.
In addition to handling flooded roads correctly, car owners should also proactively prevent risks during the rainy season. Limit parking under large trees or near buildings at risk of collapsing during storms. At the same time, avoid roads that are frequently flooded, especially when there is a warning of heavy rain.
