Monsoon rain can cause costly damage to cars

PHOENIX - The upcoming monsoon rains could cause some major damage to your car.

Aside from the dangers of driving into flooded washes, the water can cause some expensive repairs. Sometimes it is the simple things that add up.

“Your windshield wiper just molds to the windshield in the heat,” said Howard Fleischmann of Community Tire and Auto in Phoenix. “Once you turn them on the blades come off and can scratch your windshield.”

Fleischmann said that he expects a major increase in business after the first major rain.

If your car does get stuck in water he said it is likely there is water in the engine and if you try to start it up after it will likely destroy the engine.

“Have it towed,” he said.

Even puddles can be problematic.

“Even going through six inches of water can throw water up into the electrical components of your engine and cause problems,” he said.

He added that water can sometimes cause brakes to fail.

Fleischmann said to check your tire pressure, wipers and fluid levels on a regular basis to help prevent damage.

“If you do go through an unusually heavy rain you might want to have your car looked over just in case,” he said.