What Should You Do When Encountering A Flood With Your Ford?
Driving during heavy rain or encountering flooded roads can be a nerve-wracking experience—especially when you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle you care about. If you’ve ever found yourself in a flood with your Ford, knowing the right steps to take can make all the difference in protecting your safety and preventing serious vehicle damage.
Whether you’re currently in a flood-prone area or just want to be prepared, here’s what you need to know about handling a flood situation with your Ford vehicle.
- Avoid Driving Through Flooded Roads
The first rule of flood safety is simple: don’t drive through standing water. Even a few inches of water can cause you to lose control, and deeper water can stall your engine or sweep your vehicle away.
Here’s why it’s risky:
- Just 6 inches of water can reach the bottom of most passenger vehicles.
- 12 inches of water can float many cars and SUVs.
- Water can enter your engine’s air intake, leading to severe mechanical failure.
What to do instead:
- Turn around and find an alternate route.
- Wait for water to subside before proceeding.
- Pay attention to weather alerts and road closure notices.
- If You’re Already in a Flood With Your Ford
If you suddenly find yourself surrounded by rising water and can’t turn back, your priority should be safety.
Take these steps immediately:
- Keep calm and do not accelerate rapidly—it could push water into your engine.
- Shift to low gear to maintain control and traction.
- If water starts entering the cabin or your engine stalls, abandon the vehicle and get to higher ground if it’s safe to do so.
Do not attempt to restart your engine while submerged or after stalling in water—this can cause hydrolock, a condition where water enters the cylinders and severely damages the engine.
- After the Flood: Don’t Start the Vehicle
Once the water has receded and it’s safe to return to your Ford, resist the urge to start it. Even if it appears dry, water could have damaged sensitive components.
Instead:
- Disconnect the battery to avoid electrical shorts.
- Check fluid levels (oil, transmission, brake fluid) for signs of contamination.
- Inspect the air filter—if it’s wet, water likely entered the engine compartment.
- Smell for fuel leaks and look for standing water in the interior or trunk.
- Get a Professional Inspection
Flood damage isn’t always visible. Electronics, wiring, and sensors can malfunction over time, even if your car seems to run normally at first. That’s why a full post-flood inspection is essential.
A technician can:
- Test the engine, transmission, and electrical systems
- Look for hidden rust or corrosion
- Dry and disinfect the interior if water entered the cabin
- Document the damage for insurance claims
Visit Fairway Ford of Canfield for Expert Flood Recovery Services
If you’ve recently encountered a flood with your Ford, the smartest next step is to bring your vehicle to a team you can trust. At Fairway Ford of Canfield, our certified technicians are trained to assess and repair flood-damaged vehicles safely and thoroughly. We’ll evaluate everything from electronics to engine health, ensuring your Ford is road-ready—or advising you on next steps if it’s not.
And if your vehicle has sustained serious flood damage, we also offer a wide range of new and pre-owned Ford vehicles to help you get back on the road quickly and confidently.
Come visit us at Fairway Ford of Canfield for professional service, honest advice, and reliable vehicle options tailored to your needs.
