At what water level will a car start taking in water?
2 Answers
When a car is submerged up to the door level, water will start entering the vehicle. Here are relevant details: 1. Rainy seasons: During wet seasons, special attention must be paid to parking locations to prevent water immersion. 2. Electronic systems: Many electronic components will be damaged if submerged, requiring replacement if compromised. 3. Systems: Modern vehicles contain not just mechanical systems but numerous electronic systems, particularly around the engine compartment. 4. Components: Critical components like sensors, ECUs and actuators are located near the engine. 5. ECU: Often called the engine's brain, the Engine Control Unit is essential for proper engine operation.
Water starts entering the car when the level exceeds half the wheel height, especially around the door gaps since that's where the lowest threshold is located - any poor sealing allows water seepage. With twenty years of driving experience, I've encountered several heavy rain wading incidents. Once when water reached mid-tire level, it completely soaked my car's carpets, forcing me to dismantle and dry them overnight to prevent mold. Deeper water reaching exhaust pipe height (typically around 40cm) can backflow into the engine, causing stalling and complete failure - my neighbor had to replace his engine at a cost of several thousand yuan due to this. Fast-moving water poses greater risks as it more easily infiltrates the cabin. So remember: if you see standing water deeper than half a wheel height, don't attempt to drive through - safety comes first.
