Ask an expert


aimeef09

Hi Jack
Last night I got distracted when locking up my car and ended up leaving my drivers side window open about 5cm in the rain overnight.
Needless to say my car seat and carpet and quite wet... and I'm a bit worried about the electrics as it is a quite new car and has buttons on the steering wheel and controls on the door frame.
What do you think I should do?
I've used a towel to pat dry but have had to leave the car and come to work so it is sitting unventilated in a carpark right now... I hope that's not going to compound the issue.
It's still raining here so I'm unable to open all windows and doors to let it air out.

ABayliss

Generally speaking, modern switch gear (particularly on the doors, which can be exposed to the elements when you open the door in the rain) are fairly well protected from water ingress, so hopefully no damage has been done.
Obviously, if there's an opportunity to let the interior air, that would be the preference. If you have access to a fan heater that can be left safely in the car while it is airing, this would help too - it's how the professionals generally dry out interiors.
Otherwise, if it's raining where you are and there's nowhere to let the car air, there's not much you can do but keep your fingers crossed that nothing has been damaged. On the balance of probability, it should be OK.

aimeef09

Thanks for that advice, as soon as it stops raining I'll get a fan heater in there, should be tomorrow.
I considered taking to a groomer but I figure even they will leave me with a damp car that needs airing out.

ABayliss

If you do have a groomer locally, they will be used to drying out interiors when they shampoo seats etc, and they are the "professionals" I was refering to who generally use fan heaters for drying purposes. Therefore, that could be a good option for you.

aimeef09

Last time I had my car groomed at the only local place they left the mats/carpets wet and didn't tell me so don't have much faith in them I'm afraid. The seat is the wettest part.
I've looked into other groomers but all advertise that carpets are left "damp" so they obviously don't dry it out.

ABayliss

Yes, good point and some are more dilligent than others.
I think you'll find thay are saying that the interior is left damp mainly to cover their butt in the event the interior isn't bone dry when you collect the car, but I'm sure most will have the ability to dry out the interior if requested - and if they put their mind to it.
Maybe a phone call to ask the question (and get a price) might be worthwhile.