How to Deal with a Submerged Motor Vehicle: Tips for Drivers

Flooding is an all-too-common occurrence in the Philippines, often catching drivers off guard and leading to submerged vehicles. Whether due to heavy rains, typhoons, or unexpected monsoon weather, understanding how to handle a flooded car can save you time, money, and stress. 

Knowing how to deal with submerged vehicles is important for ensuring personal safety and minimizing damage to your car. Proper handling can prevent costly repairs and avoid further mechanical or electrical damage. Additionally, being informed can help streamline insurance claims and recovery processes after a flood. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do if your vehicle gets submerged in water.

What Does it Mean to Have a Submerged Vehicle

A submerged vehicle is one that has been partially or fully covered by water, typically due to flooding from heavy rains, typhoons, or rising water levels in rivers and lakes. This situation poses significant risks to the vehicle’s electrical systems, engine, and interior components, leading to potential extensive damage.

When a car is submerged, water can infiltrate main parts like the engine, transmission, and electronic systems, causing malfunctions and requiring costly repairs. Additionally, the interior of the car can suffer from water damage, resulting in mold growth, unpleasant odors, and the need for extensive cleaning or replacement of upholstery and carpeting.

How to Deal with Submerged Cars

Dealing with a submerged car helps minimize damage to your car. Here are essential steps to follow if your vehicle has been caught in a flood.

Immediate Actions When Your Car is Submerged

There are immediate steps that you should take to protect yourself and your vehicle in such a challenging situation.  

Step 1. Evacuate Immediately

If your car becomes submerged in a river or flood, get out of the vehicle immediately. Vehicles typically float on the surface for only about 30-60 seconds, giving you a narrow window to escape safely. Don’t wait, exit the vehicle immediately to avoid being trapped inside.

Steps to Take After the Flood

After a flood, it’s crucial to take immediate action to assess and mitigate the damage to your submerged vehicle. From safeguarding yourself to preventing further harm to your car, knowing the right steps can make the recovery process smoother and more efficient. Here, we listed all the essential steps to take after your vehicle has been submerged in water, helping you navigate this challenging situation effectively.

Step 2. Stay Calm and Document the Situation

First, remain calm and grab your smartphone to take pictures or video clips of the vehicle submerged in water. This documentation is essential for insurance purposes, providing evidence of the damage. It will also support your insurance claim and help assess the extent of the damage.

Step 3. Don’t Start the Engine

Resist the urge to check if your car is still functional by starting the engine. Starting a flooded car can cause significant damage to the electrical system and engine components. Water in the engine can short-circuit your electrical system and contaminate vital fluids which may lead to severe issues and make the car unsafe and costly to repair.

Step 4. Disconnect the Battery

Before inspecting any part of the vehicle, disconnect the battery to prevent electrical shocks. This prevents electrical shocks and further damage to the vehicle’s systems. Removing the battery also helps avoid potential short circuits that can occur when water and electricity mix. This step avoids further electrical damage to the car.

Step 5. Open the Windows and Doors

Once the battery is disconnected, open the windows and doors to allow air circulation. This helps prevent mold and mildew from forming inside the car. Remove any removable mats, carpeting, and seat covers to facilitate drying and remove the unpleasant odors. Allow the interior to dry thoroughly to minimize damage.

Checking Your Car’s Condition: Assessing the Damage

Assessing the damage to your car after it has been submerged in water is crucial for determining the extent of repairs needed. In this section, we will discuss the essential steps to inspecting your vehicle’s condition and identifying any potential issues caused by flooding. By carefully evaluating the damage, you can make informed decisions about the necessary repairs and maintain functionality of your car.

Step 6. Check the Level of Immersion

Determine how deep the vehicle was submerged by looking for water marks. If the flood water reached above the tires, do not attempt to start the vehicle. Instead, it’s best to avoid DIY fixes and seek professional help by having it towed to a professional service center.

Step 7. Contact Your Insurance Provider

Notify your insurance provider about the flood damage as soon as possible. Provide them with the documentation you’ve collected to expedite the claims process.

For Significant Water Exposure: Tow Your Car to a Service Center for Professional Assistance 

For significant water exposure, you need to have your car towed to the nearest service center. Professional mechanics have the expertise and equipment needed to assess and repair the damage more effectively than DIY methods. They can thoroughly inspect vital components like the engine, transmission, and electrical systems for water infiltration.

Attempting to fix these issues yourself can lead to incomplete repairs and further damage. So better to trust the professionals to do the job.

If the Flood Was Not Deep: Long-Term Precautions

For less severe flooding or if the water didn’t go above the tires, you can proceed with the following basic checks:

Step 8. Dry the Interior

Floodwaters often bring debris and mud into your car, making cleaning a challenging task. Open all doors and use a dehumidifier if possible to remove moisture from the interior. Open the doors, remove floor mats, seats, and carpets, and let the cabin air out. Consider using a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture.

Step 9. Inspect the Engine Bay

Check for any debris in the engine bay, especially around the fan shrouds and drive belts. Clean any trash or mud.

Step 10. Check the Engine Oil and Fluid Reservoir

Pull the dipstick to check the engine oil. If you see water droplets, drain the oil, replace the filter, and refill with fresh oil. Similarly, check the automatic transmission fluid (ATF), brake fluid, clutch fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid. If you detect water in these systems, a complete fluid replacement is necessary to prevent damage. If you find water droplets, drain the fluids, replace the filters, and refill with fresh oil and transmission fluid.

Step 11. Inspect the Air Filter

A wet air filter indicates that water has likely entered the engine. If this is the case, do not attempt to start the vehicle. Have your car towed to a professional service center for an engine inspection and possibly a complete engine flush.  

If the air filter is dry, double check to make sure the flood didn’t reach it. Replace it if necessary and proceed with further checks before attempting to start the engine.

Step 12. Check the Electrical System

Before starting the car, keep all electrical components are dry. This includes inspecting the fuses, relays, and wiring. Any moisture in these parts can cause short circuits and further damage.

Step 13. Start the Engine Carefully

If everything appears clear, start the car and let it warm up. Perform a thorough walkaround to check for any debris. Make sure all lights are working and drive slowly to dry the brakes.

Preventive Measures

Living in flood-prone areas means it’s wise to prepare in advance. Making sure you stay informed about weather forecasts can help you move your vehicle to safer locations before heavy rains begin. 

  • Comprehensive Insurance

Living in flood-prone areas makes it essential to have comprehensive auto insurance that covers flood damage. This can protect your vehicle from future flood damage and save you significant repair costs in the event of another flood and provide peace of mind during the rainy season. Consider comprehensive auto insurance with natural calamity coverage. 

  • Flood Preparedness

If you know a flood is imminent, move your vehicle to higher ground if possible. Also, make sure you disconnect the battery before flood waters reach your car to prevent electrical damage.

Video: How to Escape a Submerged Vehicle

Dealing with a submerged car can be a life-threatening and stressful experience, but knowing the right steps to do to survive one can make all the difference. In this video from The Weather Channel, you can learn from Jen Carfagno about the essential tips to escape and handle a submerged vehicle safely and effectively.

Summary

Flooding in the Philippines can be sudden and severe, posing a significant risk to vehicles. But you will need to stay calm and methodical in following the steps to handle a submerged vehicle, so you can minimize the damage to your car.

Investing in proper insurance with comprehensive coverage and taking preventive measures can also provide peace of mind and financial protection in flood-prone areas. By preparing in advance and understanding what actions to take, you can better handle the challenges posed by floods to car owners like you.

LTO Calbayog Office Location and Contact Information

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Calbayog City refers to the only LTO office in Calbayog City, Western Samar: the LTO Calbayog District Office (DO). Like its counterparts in the other places, the LTO Calbayog District Office also serves all the drivers, car owners, and operators in the city. This local LTO branch in Calbayog City also keeps the LTO presence alive in the area by ensuring that the most common LTO operations, programs, and services reach the people of the city as well as those within the city’s geographical area of responsibility (GAOR). With the presence of this local LTO district office continuously felt in Calbayog City, the agency continues to improve on its efficiency rates, especially in satisfying the LTO-related needs of the people they intend to serve.

Widely known as the “City of Waterfalls,” Calbayog City was deemed deserving of an LTO district office, thanks to the huge number of residents, business people, and tourists that the city attracts. As one of the commercial trade centers in Eastern Visayas and the home of numerous waterfalls and some of the most popular attractions in the area, Calbayog City is a sought-after destination and an ideal location for both business and government offices in the country.

lto calbayog office location and contact number

What is LTO Calbayog? 

LTO Calbayog refers to the lone LTO office stationed in the City of Calbayog in Western Samar: the LTO Calbayog District Office (DO). Like other LTO offices in the country, the LTO Calbayog District Office brings  the LTO Central Office closer by being a local representative agency. As such, it works the same way, by offering the same LTO programs to the local transacting public, only at a smaller, more focused scale. Through the LTO Calbayog District Office (DO) located along J.D. Avelino Street, most of the LTO core programs and services—including the registration and renewal of motor vehicles (MV) and license and permits—are made available to the people for a more convenient, more affordable, and easier LTO experience for the people who work behind the wheels.

As the lone LTO office located in Calbayog City, the LTO Calbayog District Office (DO) engages with the public through their localized programs, activities, and campaigns and delivers fast and efficient public service in an effort to serve as a reminder to the public that the LTO is watching over the safety of the roads, vehicles, drivers, and pedestrians. 

List of Services Offered by LTO Calbayog DO

The following LTO services are generally offered at any LTO branch, with the exception of some which may not be readily available in some smaller LTO branch offices.  

For your reference, here’s a list of some of the most frequently availed of LTO services:

  • License And Permit
    • Student Permit

    • New Driver’s License (Non-Professional)

    • Conductor’s License

    • Plain or Advance Renewal of Driver’s/Conductor’s License and Renewal of Driver’s License of Filipino Living Abroad

    • Miscellaneous License Transactions

    • Renewal of Driver’s / Conductor’s License with Examination [Expired for more than two (2) years] and/or with ten (10) or more but less than forty (40) Demerit Points

    • Change Classification from Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL)  Code to Professional Driver’s License Code with Same Driver’s License (PDL) Code

    • Additional Driver’s License Code/s

    • Conversion of Foreign Driver’s License to Philippine Driver’s License Including Renewal of Expired Philippine Driver’s License with a Valid Foreign Driver’s License

    • Change Classification from Professional Driver’s License (PDL) Code to Non-Professional Driver’s License Code (NPDL), Dropping of DL Code and Change Clutch Type

    • Request for System Updates (RSU) for Double License

    • Request for System Update (RSU) for License and Customer Details/Misrepresentation of Age/Identity

    • Accreditation of Medical Clinics – New

    • Accreditation of Medical Clinics – Renewal

    • Registration of Physicians – New

    • Registration of Physicians – Renewal

    • Accreditation of Driving School / Driving Enhancement Program Training Center – New

    • Accreditation of Driving School / Driving Enhancement Program Training Center – Renewal

    • Accreditation of Driving Instructor – New

    • Accreditation of Driving Instructor – Renewal

    • Examination for Driving School Instructors

    • Driving Enhancement Program (DEP)

  • Vehicle Registration
    • Initial Registration of Motor Vehicle (MV)

    • Renewal of Motor Vehicle (MV) Registration

    • Storage of Motor Vehicle

    • Miscellaneous Transactions

    • Re-Stamping of Engine/Chassis Number

    • Request for Motor Vehicle Verification

    • Motor Vehicle Inspection

  • Miscellaneous Transactions
    • Duplicate OR/CR

    • Duplicate Plate

    • Transfer of Ownership

    • Annotation & Cancellation of Mortgage

    • Revision of Records

    • Duplicate License (for Lost Licenses)

  • Insurance

  • Proper Driver Education

  • Law Enforcement
    • Settlement of Admitted Apprehension

    • Adjudication of Contested Apprehension

    • Encoding of Alarm

    • Filing of Complaint and Lifting of Alarm

    • Lifting of Alarm (Traffic Adjudication Service)

    • Certification of No Pending Apprehension and Alarm

  • Collection of fees from law enforcement violations

  • Drug testing

  • Emission testing

  • Inventory of Plates

  • The use of self-service kiosks 

  • Process Application for New Driver’s License (DL) via the Automated Driver’s License Examination System (ADLES) Facility 

Note that although all the services listed above are generally offered and processed by the LTO, some offices are not equipped well enough to offer the full range of LTO services. If you intend to visit the LTO Calbayog District Office, it’s best to check with them first to see if the service you need is available before you make the trip.

How to Contact LTO Calbayog

Reaching out to LTO Calbayog can be done either through the phone, via email, or by sending a message to their official social media account. You may also visit either the LTO Calbayog District Office (DO) or the LTO Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) regional office. 

To reach out to the LTO Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) regional office, please check the following contact information:

Land Transportation Office Region 8 – Office of the Regional Director

Agency Code: 0800
Office Address: Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte
Telephone Number: (053) 888-4672
Head of Agency: Rhodelio V. Poliquit
Email Address: ltoregionaloffice8@gmail.com, rvpoliquit@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mondays-Fridays)

Contact Information

To reach out to the LTO Calbayog District Office (DO), please check out the following contact details:

LTO Calbayog District Office (DO)

Agency Code: 0808
Office Address: J.D. Avelino St. Calbayog, W. Samar
Head of Agency: Paz B. Tarrayo
Email Address: paztarrayo1957@gmail.com
Official Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/p/LTO-Calbayog-District-Office-100069465304482/
Operating hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mondays to Fridays)

Where is Calbayog City

Calbayog, officially known as the City of Calbayog, is a first class coastal component city in the province of Samar. It is the sixth largest city in terms of land and water areas in the Philippines and is considered one of the commercial trade centers in the region. It stretches about 60 miles (97 km) from the northern tip of the island and 180 miles (290 km) from southern boundaries. It is bordered as follows: In the northwest of the city lies the Municipalities of San Isidro and Bobon, Northern Samar, in the north is Lope de Vega, Northern Samar, to the southeast is the Municipality of Sta. Margarita, Samar, to the northeast are the Municipalities of Silvino Lobos and Mondragon, Northern Samar, to the east is the Municipality of Gandara, Samar, and the Samar Sea to its southeast.

Google Map Location

To learn about the travel routes and driving directions to Calbayog City and the LTO Calbayog District Office (DO), you may check the map below:

LTO Calbayog District Office (DO)

LTO Toledo Office Location and Contact Information

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Toledo refers to the set of two (2) LTO offices in Toledo and Balamban in Cebu: the LTO Toledo District Office (DO) Licensing Extension office in Balamban and the LTO Toledo District Office (DO). Like its counterparts in other places, these branch offices are opened to serve both the locals and the visiting drivers, car owners, and operators who might have LTO-related needs while in the city or within the premises of its geographical area of responsibility (GAOR). With these branches, the LTO not only makes it easier and more convenient to reach them, but also makes the agency more efficient in watching over the safety and development of the land transport sector in the area.

Dubbed as the “Copper City,” Toledo City is well known as one of the most progressive cities in Cebu, with its main industries resting on the mining, trading, agriculture, and fishing activities in the area. It also houses a handful of power providers in the Visayas region, earning it its moniker as the “Power City” in the area. These, and more, makes Toledo City a favored location for business and government office developments, prompting them to set up offices in the city. LTO happens to be one of them. 

lto toledo office location and contact number

What is LTO Toledo? 

LTO Toledo refers to the LTO offices stationed in the City of Toledo in the province of Cebu: the LTO Toledo District Office (DO) Licensing Extension office in Balamban and the LTO Toledo District Office (DO). Like the other LTO offices in the country, LTO Toledo operates as the localized representative of the LTO Central Office. It was opened to display the agency’s efforts in bridging the LTO programs and the local transacting public through efficient and excellent public service. Through the LTO Toledo offices, most of the LTO core programs and services—including the registration and renewal of motor vehicles (MV) and license and permits—are brought closer to the people for a more convenient, more affordable, and easier LTO experience for the people who work behind the wheels.

The LTO Toledo Offices include:

LTO Toledo District Office (DO) Licensing Extension Office (Balamban)

Much like any LTO Extension Office, the LTO Toledo DO Licensing Extension Office is a literal extension of the agency meant to serve Toledo City. Despite its name, this LTO branch is actually not located in Toledo, but in Santa Cruz-Sto Nino, Poblacion, in the nearby municipality of Balamban—the “Shipbuilding Capital of the Philippines.” Though it serves to extend LTO Toledo DO, it only does so for its licensing services, which means that some LTO services may not be readily available here. Nevertheless, this LTO Toledo DO licensing extension office encourages the locals to help keep the road safety in the area by offering an accessible and convenient version of the agency’s licensing programs and application and renewal services. 

LTO Toledo District Office (DO)

The LTO Toledo District Office is a full service branch of the LTO Central Office. Located along Osmeña Street, in Poblacion, Toledo City, the LTO Toledo District Office (DO) is your best bet if the transaction you intend to do with LTO is related to motor vehicle (MV) registrations. However, as the only full service LTO office in the area, be prepared to encounter longer queues here. 

List of Services Offered by LTO Toledo Offices

To satisfy its  pledges to deliver fast, efficient, and effective public service, the LTO extends its operations and services to the regions through its branch offices. This means that it is now easier for the people to join in and participate in the LTO activities and programs that are meant to ensure the safety of the roads, vehicles, and drivers of Toledo City. 

For your reference, here’s a complete list of some of the most frequently availed of services offered by the LTO through its branches:

  • License And Permit
    • Student Permit

    • New Driver’s License (Non-Professional)

    • Conductor’s License

    • Plain or Advance Renewal of Driver’s/Conductor’s License and Renewal of Driver’s License of Filipino Living Abroad

    • Miscellaneous License Transactions

    • Renewal of Driver’s / Conductor’s License with Examination [Expired for more than two (2) years] and/or with ten (10) or more but less than forty (40) Demerit Points

    • Change Classification from Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL)  Code to Professional Driver’s License Code with Same Driver’s License (PDL) Code

    • Additional Driver’s License Code/s

    • Conversion of Foreign Driver’s License to Philippine Driver’s License Including Renewal of Expired Philippine Driver’s License with a Valid Foreign Driver’s License

    • Change Classification from Professional Driver’s License (PDL) Code to Non-Professional Driver’s License Code (NPDL), Dropping of DL Code and Change Clutch Type

    • Request for System Updates (RSU) for Double License

    • Request for System Update (RSU) for License and Customer Details/Misrepresentation of Age/Identity

    • Accreditation of Medical Clinics – New

    • Accreditation of Medical Clinics – Renewal

    • Registration of Physicians – New

    • Registration of Physicians – Renewal

    • Accreditation of Driving School / Driving Enhancement Program Training Center – New

    • Accreditation of Driving School / Driving Enhancement Program Training Center – Renewal

    • Accreditation of Driving Instructor – New

    • Accreditation of Driving Instructor – Renewal

    • Examination for Driving School Instructors

    • Driving Enhancement Program (DEP)

  • Vehicle Registration
    • Initial Registration of Motor Vehicle (MV)

    • Renewal of Motor Vehicle (MV) Registration

    • Storage of Motor Vehicle

    • Miscellaneous Transactions

    • Re-Stamping of Engine/Chassis Number

    • Request for Motor Vehicle Verification

    • Motor Vehicle Inspection

  • Miscellaneous Transactions
    • Duplicate OR/CR

    • Duplicate Plate

    • Transfer of Ownership

    • Annotation & Cancellation of Mortgage

    • Revision of Records

    • Duplicate License (for Lost Licenses)

  • Insurance

  • Proper Driver Education

  • Law Enforcement
    • Settlement of Admitted Apprehension

    • Adjudication of Contested Apprehension

    • Encoding of Alarm

    • Filing of Complaint and Lifting of Alarm

    • Lifting of Alarm (Traffic Adjudication Service)

    • Certification of No Pending Apprehension and Alarm

  • Collection of fees from law enforcement violations

  • Drug testing

  • Emission testing

  • Inventory of Plates

  • Issuance of Vanity License Plates

  • Issuance of Special Plates

  • The use of self-service kiosks 

  • Process Application for New Driver’s License (DL) via the Automated Driver’s License Examination System (ADLES) Facility 

Note that though all of the services listed above are processed by LTO, some LTO offices are not equipped well enough to offer them all. This means that if you are looking to visit any of the LTO Toledo offices, it’s best to check with them first to see if the service you need is available before you make the trip.

How to Contact LTO Toledo

Reaching out to LTO Toledo can be done either by making a call, sending an email, or sending a message via social media. It can be done through the local LTO, via the LTO Toledo DO Licensing Extension Office or the LTO Toledo District Office (DO), or via the LTO Region 7 (Central Visayas) regional office. 

To reach out to the LTO Region 7 (Central Visayas) regional office, please check the following contact information:

Land Transportation Office Region 7 – Office of the Regional Director

Agency Code: 0700
Office Address: 2nd Floor MVIC Building M. Logarta Avenue Subangdaku, Mandaue City
Telephone Number: +639 188073502
Head of Agency: Victor Emmanuel C. Caindec
Email Address: ord.lto7@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mondays-Fridays)

Contact Information

To reach out to any of the two (2) LTO Toledo offices, please check out the following contact details:

LTO Toledo DO Licensing Extension (Balamban)

Agency Code: 0713 G25
Office Address: Santa Cruz-Sto Nino, Poblacion, Balamban Cebu
Head of Agency: Vincent A. Solijon
Email Address: lto7balamban@gmail.com
Operating hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mondays to Fridays)

LTO Toledo City District Office

Agency Code: 0752 G07
Office Address: Osmeña Street, Poblacion, Toledo City
Telephone Number: (032) 3842138
Head of Agency: Vicente L. Gador, Jr.
Email Address: r7toledodo0752@gmail.com
Operating hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mondays to Fridays)

Where is Toledo City

Toledo, officially known as the City of Toledo, is a third class coastal component city on the western coast of the province of Cebu.  It sits 67 kilometers (42 mi) away from Cebu City and is bordered to the north by the town of Balamban, to the west is the Tañon Strait, to the east is Cebu City and Naga and the town of Minglanilla, and to the south is the town of Pinamungajan. 

Google Map Location

For more information on how to reach Toledo City or either the LTO Toledo DO Licensing Extension in Balamban or the LTO Toledo City District Office (DO), you may check the maps below:

LTO Toledo DO Licensing Extension (Balamban)

LTO Toledo City District Office

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