“Weathering the Storm: Unconventional Tips to Safeguard Your Car”

Flooding can cause extensive damage to vehicles, so it’s no surprise that car owners around the world take various precautionary measures to protect their investments. One creative solution that has gained attention is the practice of wrapping cars in plastic or nylon bags to create a barrier against floodwaters.

Car Condom

A viral image from Reddit last year showed a car wrapped in nylon, parked in an underground lot surrounded by floodwaters. The car’s lights were still on, indicating that the electrical system was likely protected from the water.

This unusual sight sparked mixed reactions, with some commenting on the ingenuity of the method while others found it amusing.

While it may seem like a comical solution, this method actually has a logical basis. Commercial products with a similar purpose have been introduced to the market, offering car owners a potential solution during flood season.

According to Motor1, Rahel Abraham, an engineer, invented ClimaGuard, a “zipper bag” product designed to protect cars from flooding. Her own car had been damaged during a flood in 2008, which inspired her to create this innovative solution.

While the zipper on the ClimaGuard is not waterproof, the bag is designed to help the car float as the water level rises, theoretically keeping it safe from flood damage.

The ClimaGuard costs 400 USD and comes with ropes to secure the vehicle to a fixed position during a flood.

Archimedes’ Principle in Action

During Typhoon Ulysses (known as Storm No. 13 in Vietnam) in 2020, a Mitsubishi Xpander owner in the Philippines took a different approach by wrapping a large tarp around the car. Top Gear Philippines explained that this application of Archimedes’ principle could help the car float, preventing floodwaters from reaching the vehicle.

This method works similarly to the ClimaGuard bag but differs in that the Mitsubishi Xpander was only partially covered, rather than fully enclosed. However, Top Gear Philippines noted that this “life jacket” approach has its limitations and may not be entirely safe. Unforeseen factors could cause the “life jacket” to tilt, allowing water to enter and rendering it ineffective.

A more reliable solution is to proactively move the vehicle to higher ground, out of the reach of floodwaters. Another common practice, especially among Vietnamese car owners, is to elevate the car by lifting the wheels during the rainy season.

Thinking Outside the Box

In a 2016 video, the owner of a Polaris General took an even more unconventional approach by hoisting the vehicle up a tree to protect it from flood damage. The owner used an electric winch mounted on the front of the car to lift it up, securing the cable to the tree trunk.

Commenters on the video expressed surprise at the unusual sight, with one joking that the winch manufacturer should pay the owner for this creative demonstration of their product’s capabilities.

The Polaris General has a curb weight of approximately 700 kg, and its dimensions are 2,956 mm in length, 1,587 mm in width, and 1,870 mm in height, with a ground clearance of 305 mm.

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## Crafty Ways to Shield Your Car from Flood Damage

Flooding and water damage to vehicles are significant concerns for those living in flood-prone areas. Car owners have devised creative ways to protect their beloved rides from the ravages of rising waters.