How Rain Can Damage a Car

Water can cause extensive damage to many of a cars systems and components. Heavy rain can damage a cars exterior or seep under the hood and into the interior of a vehicle and wreak havoc in ways that may not always be obvious.

Rain will not necessarily get your car clean. In fact, rain increases the amount of moisture in the air, which can attract contaminants, such as pollen, to your vehicle. Those contaminants can damage your cars paint.

Rain can cause your vehicle to rust through a chemical reaction. Rust does not happen overnight, but once it starts, it can be difficult to stop the process.

Heavy rain that gets inside a car can damage the interior and cause mold and mildew. If rainwater gets into your car, inspect it with a flashlight for signs of damage. Look under the floor mats, behind and under the seats, on the sides of the dashboard, inside the fold-out backseat, inside the roof, and in the trunk. Smells, cracks, or stains in fabric are signs of water damage.

Driving through a flooded roadway can cause major damage under your cars hood. Water in the engine or transmission can cause it to fail, which can mean thousands of dollars in replacement costs. If you drive through standing water, you should check your oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, air filter, and belts for signs of damage. Check your cars gears and emergency brake. Electrical systems that control your airbags, lights, and windshield wipers are also vulnerable to water damage.

Rain can cause serious damage to a car. Do what you can to protect your vehicle, and if it is exposed to heavy rain or a flooded roadway, check carefully for damage and make any necessary repairs quickly.