Countless vehicles are damaged or lost as a result of the recent hurricanes that inflicted more than $40 billion in property damage. As hurricanes and floods continue to threaten the U.S., drivers can take several steps to protect their vehicles.

To protect vehicles from flooding and high water, drivers should:

• Deflate tires to between 20 and 25 PSI. Doing so will give the vehicle increased density and flex, allowing it to better withstand winds and requiring more water to float the vehicle away.

• Use sandbags if available, and build a sandbag wall around the vehicle.

• If the vehicle is equipped with an air filter box, stuff a towel or an inflated balloon into the air box to prevent flood waters from entering the air intake and internal engine parts.

If despite these efforts, a vehicle is damaged by flood waters, do not attempt to start the vehicle without first checking the following items:

• If flood waters entered the passenger compartment (indicated by wet carpets) and the vehicle is equipped with an airbag, do not attempt to start the car as there is a risk of the airbag deploying.

• If the vehicle does not have an airbag, there is still the risk of an electrical short circuit and further damage if you try to start the vehicle.

• The vehicle's interior should be steam cleaned once all mechanical systems have been inspected.

"Even if flood waters didn't enter the passenger compartment, the vehicle's brake system or other mechanical systems may have been affected and should be inspected by a professional before driving, particularly if the vehicle was in high water for a prolonged period," cautioned Bryan Gregory, Advance Auto Parts' consumer education manager.

Gregory also suggests that if a vehicle was in flood waters for even a short period or was driven through water, use extreme caution while driving, and have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

Advance Auto Parts and its Team Members will meet the needs of residents in the areas damaged by recent hurricanes with free electrical system checks and windshield-wiper installation.

Countless vehicles are damaged or lost as a result of the recent hurricanes that inflicted more than $40 billion in property damage. As hurricanes and floods continue to threaten the U.S., drivers can take several steps to protect their vehicles.

To protect vehicles from flooding and high water, drivers should:

• Deflate tires to between 20 and 25 PSI. Doing so will give the vehicle increased density and flex, allowing it to better withstand winds and requiring more water to float the vehicle away.

• Use sandbags if available, and build a sandbag wall around the vehicle.

• If the vehicle is equipped with an air filter box, stuff a towel or an inflated balloon into the air box to prevent flood waters from entering the air intake and internal engine parts.

If despite these efforts, a vehicle is damaged by flood waters, do not attempt to start the vehicle without first checking the following items:

• If flood waters entered the passenger compartment (indicated by wet carpets) and the vehicle is equipped with an airbag, do not attempt to start the car as there is a risk of the airbag deploying.

• If the vehicle does not have an airbag, there is still the risk of an electrical short circuit and further damage if you try to start the vehicle.

• The vehicle's interior should be steam cleaned once all mechanical systems have been inspected.

"Even if flood waters didn't enter the passenger compartment, the vehicle's brake system or other mechanical systems may have been affected and should be inspected by a professional before driving, particularly if the vehicle was in high water for a prolonged period," cautioned Bryan Gregory, Advance Auto Parts' consumer education manager.

Gregory also suggests that if a vehicle was in flood waters for even a short period or was driven through water, use extreme caution while driving, and have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

Advance Auto Parts and its Team Members will meet the needs of residents in the areas damaged by recent hurricanes with free electrical system checks and windshield-wiper installation.