Rain itself does not harm a battery. Humidity, standing water and short, slow journeys through flooded traffic do.
Before the rains
- Have the battery tested if it is over two years old
- Clean any white or green crust from the terminals and apply petroleum jelly
- Check the battery is clamped down; a loose battery in a pothole-heavy season cracks its case
- Check wipers, lights and tyres at the same visit
Driving through water
If water is above the middle of the wheel, do not drive into it. If you must cross shallow water, go slowly in first gear and keep the revs steady so the exhaust does not suck water in.
If the car stalls in water
Do not try to restart it. Water in the engine and a starter trying to turn it over is how a repair becomes a replacement engine. Switch everything off, get out safely, and ask for a tow, not a jump.
After the car has been parked in water
If water reached the floor or the battery, do not start it. Disconnect the battery if you can do it safely and call us. We check the electrics before anything is switched on.
