Here are some tips so you can avoid damage to your car. If your car does suffer damage, however, let Accurate Auto Body help. We can repair collision damage to the car’s body to help it look and drive like new again.
Tip #1: Don’t Drive in Water If You Can Avoid It
Whenever possible, try to avoid driving in standing water or moving water. Because we’re not used to much flooding in Denver, the Denver police aren’t good at putting up barricades to mark high waters. Don’t assume that the absence of barricades means that it’s safe to drive through water. If there are barricades marking high water – don’t pass them.
It doesn’t take much water to make your car lose control, cause damage to the car, or even stall your car. If your car isn’t specialized to deal with water, it’s best to just take a different route if you encounter flooded streets.
Tip #2: Drive in the Middle of the Road
If you must drive in flooded roads, drive in the middle of the road. Roads are designed high in the center and low on the edges, so most of the time the water will be shallower when you travel in the middle. This can cause congestion as cars traveling in opposite directions must take turns. Be polite and patient – it will slow you down even more if you drive aggressively and get in an accident or try to navigate a lower part of the road and get stuck.
Tip #3: Try to Gauge the Depth of Water Before Entering
Never enter water unless you have a good idea of its depth. The best way to know the depth of water is watching other cars travel through it. Then you can observe the depth. Avoid water that’s more than six inches deep (a little less than midway up most car’s tires).
If there are no other cars, you might estimate the depth of water on a familiar street. However, be warned that sometimes the bottom of the street washes out, or a newly formed pothole might cause deeper water than you expect.
Tip #4: Drive Slowly in Water
Driving through water significantly diminishes your car’s ability to grip the road. This can make it hard to keep control. Plus, trying to push through water too quickly can cause waves that create problems for you and other drivers. Enter water at around 1-2 miles per hour (mph), then climb to a speed of around 3-4 mph.
Tip #5: Don’t Try to Move a Stalled Car
Once your car stalls in water, you will likely have to leave it until you can get a tow after water recedes. Restarting the engine after it gets overwhelmed by water can cause irreparable damage. Getting out of the car and trying to push it out of the water puts you at risk of getting swept away. You might also be struck by debris in the current or by another car.
If the water level is stable, it might be safest to stay in the car and call for help. If the water level is rising, you will have to abandon the car and get to higher ground.
Why Choose Accurate Auto Body for Flood Damage to Your Car
Do you have flood damage to your car? Let Accurate Auto Body Help. Our highly skilled technicians have helped our auto body shop earn and maintain the elite I-CARR Gold rating. Our mechanics are factory trained by Honda and Toyota, but technical expertise is only part of the benefit of working with us. We maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau because of our high degree of customer satisfaction.
That’s thanks in large part to our Focus on You Service™ system. We take the time to listen to your repair needs and follow through, using our expertise to get it right the first time. We give you a guaranteed estimate and a guaranteed completion date. We work around your schedule, and you can check the progress on your car’s auto body repair at any time on our website.
Want to learn how our approach can benefit your car? Please call 303-344-2212 or contact us online to get a free repair estimate at our auto body shop in the Sunny Vale neighborhood of Aurora.
I appreciate what you said about not moving a car that is stalled in water. My car keeps making a weird lurching noise. I’ll have to consider getting a mechanic to do the inspection.