Floodwater is everywhere in Queensland’s south-east as well as large parts of New South Wales — and with more rain forecast, the threat of inundation is far from over.
Just as homes were submerged under murky, dirty water from rivers and creeks, so too many vehicles were.
Driving a car that has been flooded is dangerous, so here is a guide on what to do.
Can I drive my car after it’s been flooded?
Definitely not!
In fact, if your car was anywhere near an area that flooded, it should not be driven, according to Motor Trades Association of Australia chief executive Richard Dudley.
“The car doesn’t need to have been submerged or even flooded much — even with those vehicles that have been in heavy downpours of rain, care should be exercised,” he said.
“It’s not the fact the car has been in water, it’s what the water has done to the electrical circuits.
“You may be able to drive for several kilometers or several months until something happens, and that damage will be caused by corrosion of electrical wires. Often, it’s not obvious that damage has been done.
“In a situation with water, if there’s a way to see in, it will.”
LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest on flooding in NSW and QLD
Mr Dudley warned that starting a vehicle that had been in floodwater before it was inspected for damage could void insurance policies.
RACQ principal technical researcher Andrew Kirk agreed, adding that floodwater might also contaminate fuel and oils.
The first thing a person should do if their car had been impacted by floodwater was contact their insurer, or a mechanic if they were uninsured, he said.
Airing out cars is necessary, but they also need an engine and wiring check.(ABC News: Giulio Saggin)
What hazards could be in my flooded car?
For conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, Mr Dudley recommended owners check under and their vehicle and make sure there were no obvious defects or debris.
He also suggested carefully checking wheel wells for less obvious hazards.
“Animal life will sometimes have tried to find higher ground and dry areas, and that can be up in the wheel wells depending on where they’ve been submerged.
“Cars that have been completely submerged may not have that issue.”
Read more about the flooding in Queensland:
Cars should be checked for animals that may have tried to escape rising water.(Supplied: CJ Cannon)
What if an electric vehicle goes under?
EV owners “have to be particularly careful” if they suspected or knew their vehicle had been flooded, Mr Dudley said, because of the risk of electrocution.
“While most modern vehicles have been designed to separate the chassis from the battery, just don’t take the risk.
“Contact the manufacturer, and even if they are getting someone to tow the car, make sure the tow operator knows how to tow an electric vehicle because they may need to be secured in a different way.”
Read more on the flooding in NSW:
Most importantly, Mr Dudley warned owners that if they could see any orange-tagged wiring or any orange-coloured cable to “stand well clear of the vehicle and not go near it”.
“Contact the vehicle manufacturer and work out how to get the car properly towed.
“It can be extremely tempting to get straight in the car and hope that is goes, but people have to exercise significant care before they do that, for their own safety, for insurance and a range of other reasons.”
EV owners are urged to be extra cautious if they suspect their car’s been submerged.(ABC News: Tim Swanston)
Can a flooded car be repaired?
In some cases a vehicle can be repaired, but it may be costly.
Mr Kirk said if the engine was submerged or exposed to water, rust could be an issue for crank and camshafts, bearings, rings and cylinder bores.
“The engine would need to be dismantled and inspected,” he said.
“This will be similar to the transmission and driveline.
“It is impossible to give a timeframe as to how long a car will last if it has been impacted by floodwater, as each vehicle and situation is different.”
Flood-damaged cars can be repaired but it may be costly.(Supplied: CJ Cannon)
How long will it take to repair a flooded car?
In light of recent events, Mr Dudley said it could take a while.
Even getting a car towed might not be a quick exercise.
“Floodwaters are going to have to recede, and tow trucks and flat-top trucks are going to be in high demand.
“Motorists are going to have to be patient and wait their turn — it’s going to be hard because they need to be mobile and get food and clothing.
“People have to be very careful using a vehicle that may have been submerged by floodwater.”
There may be delays in towing and repairing flooded cars.(Supplied by Andrew Simonsen)
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