With Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh witnessing severe rains, car owners are facing serious risks of damage to their vehicles due to flooding and waterlogging. Automobile experts have cautioned that even partial submergence of tyres in floodwater can spell disaster for a car’s engine if owners attempt to drive through.On August 19, heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging in several northern sectors of Chandigarh, leaving dozens of cars stranded and submerged. Many owners are now dealing with expensive repair bills. With the weather department once again issuing an alert for heavy rain and potential flooding in Punjab and Chandigarh, experts have shared a detailed list of dos and don’ts for car owners.Avoid driving through waterlogged roads“Driving or trying to cross water where even half of the tyres are submerged can be extremely risky for the engine,” Balwinder Singh, assistant general manager (Body Shop) at Volkswagen (Lally Motors), warned.He explained that water can easily be sucked into the engine’s air intake, causing piston damage and even breaking the connecting rods. “People should especially avoid driving through underpasses where waterlogging is common, and refrain from parking cars in basement areas. Even a small amount of water can enter critical engine components,” he added.Don’t start a submerged carJaskaran Singh, former used cars group head at a Tata dealership, stressed that attempting to start a car that has been submerged in water is one of the biggest mistakes owners make.“If your parked car is stuck in water, do not switch on the ignition. It will almost certainly cause severe engine damage,” he said. Instead, the car should be towed to a service station using roadside assistance (RSA) facility or a professional towing service. “Usually, when water enters the engine, the pistons and connecting rods get damaged. Replacing these parts can be extremely costly, especially if the car is not covered under insurance,” Jaskaran Singh added.What if a running car gets submergedBalwinder Singh further advised that if a car already in motion becomes submerged, drivers should immediately turn off the ignition and try to push the car out of the water instead of accelerating. “A running engine can suck in more water, damaging multiple components and leading to even higher repair costs,” he explained.Story continues below this adAccording to him, Volkswagen and other service centres in Punjab have been receiving multiple cars damaged due to recent flooding. Repair costs vary depending on the extent of the damage, but insurance coverage, especially engine protection, can significantly reduce the financial burden.Local mechanics witness surge in repairs Meanwhile, local mechanics are also witnessing a rush of flood-damaged vehicles. Bhola Singh, a mechanic from Sector 28 market in Chandigarh, said he recently repaired two cars — a Maruti Ciaz and a Swift Dzire — that were submerged during the heavy rains.“The Ciaz owner had to spend around Rs 35,000 on engine repairs, while the Dzire needed relatively minor work costing between Rs 15,000 and Rs 18,000,” he said.According to him, owners without insurance often prefer going to local workshops, where costs are comparatively lower, while those with insurance approach authorised service centres.Story continues below this adBhola Singh also revealed that some local dealers purchase water-damaged cars, get the engines repaired, clean them up, and then resell them in the market at cheaper rates. “The problem is that buyers often don’t realise the car was previously submerged. Only in cases where the vehicle remained under water for a long time does rust become visible on the engine, chassis, or other metal components,” he said.Insurance mattersExperts stressed that while repair is possible, prevention and insurance coverage are critical. Cars submerged in water often face not just engine trouble but long-term issues such as corrosion, electrical faults, and transmission damage. Having an insurance policy that includes engine protection cover can help offset heavy expenses that otherwise run into tens of thousands of rupees.