After some rain came to the Lubbock area, auto shops are issuing a warning to consumers because they aren’t only fixing cracked windows after the weekend storms. They’re also fixing flooded cars which could sneak up on you, especially if you drive through standing water.
“Leave it alone. Get it towed. Get it cleaned out,” said Scott Egert with Scott’s Complete Car Care.
Once you get water stuck in your car, it could be a lost cause.
“It can pull water into the intake system, it could cause traumatic damage to the engine,” said Neil Parrish, owner of Nick’s Automotive. “Some areas around headlights, back in corners.”
Also, keep these things in mind if you’re buying a used car.
“It’s a big problem right now with the flooding in Houston and Florida. Millions of cars are on the street getting peddled across the United States,” said Egert.
Water damage is only sometimes visible.
“It depends what kind of damage happens with that. A lot of that could be hidden easily. The important thing is to have someone inspect the vehicle before you buy it,” Parrish said.
Some things to look for include rusty nails and hidden debris.
“This vehicle had a window that was broken, and you can see the moisture that’s underneath the floor mat,” said Parrish.
If you think your car has flood damage, don’t try to drive it. Call a mechanic to pick it up.
You can call Nick’s Automotive or Scott’s Complete Car Care.
