As ocean water floods streets in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Long Beach, drivers are being warned not to attempt to start or drive vehicles exposed to salt water, which can cause extensive damage even after the water recedes.
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The warning comes as high tides and powerful swells have sent seawater spilling onto coastal roadways, with more flooding possible over the weekend as Tropical Storm Rachel approaches Southern California.
“Do not attempt to drive your vehicle if any part of the undercarriage has touched salt water,” Megan McKernan, group manager of automotive services at AAA, who answered a reporter’s questions through a spokesperson.
Attempting to start a flooded engine can cause significant damage, McKernan said. Drivers should instead have their vehicles towed to a mechanic for an inspection.
Salt water can also damage a vehicle’s electrical systems and sensors, potentially causing problems with everything from engine controls to dashboard warnings and other electronic features.
Modern vehicles rely on computers, wiring and sensors to operate numerous systems. Exposure to salt water can corrode those components and their connections, causing malfunctions that may not become apparent until weeks or months later, according to AAA.
“Even after water is dry, salt deposits remain and can continue attracting moisture and promoting corrosion,” McKernan said.
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“There is a big cause for concern, especially if you have an electric or hybrid vehicle,” McKernan said.
Such exposure should be treated as a safety issue rather than simply a potential repair problem, McKernan said. If salt water reaches a high-voltage battery and damages its components, it can create a risk of electrical shorts, shock or fire.
A vehicle suspected of having battery damage should not be driven or charged until it has been evaluated by a qualified professional.
“We could see continued situations like this or flooding, so if you do encounter a situation with a flooded street, if there’s a way, turn around,” she said through the spokesperson. “You don’t want to risk it.”
The National Weather Service issued coastal flood warnings Friday for Orange County and Los Angeles County beaches through 3 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters warned that high tides, powerful surf and incoming rain could worsen flooding in vulnerable coastal neighborhoods.
Coastal flood advisories are expected to remain in effect for Orange County beaches through 2 p.m. Tuesday.
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