At what water level will a submerged car experience issues?
2 Answers
Problems will occur if a car is submerged above the tire level. Water exposure can affect the engine and electrical systems. If water enters the engine's air intake, it can directly impact the engine, and the electrical system is particularly vulnerable to water damage. Therefore, the water depth should not exceed the tire level, as this could lead to water entering the cabin or the engine. If the water level just reaches the chassis, there won't be an issue as long as the car isn't submerged for an extended period. Most vehicles use half the wheel height as a standard for safe water wading depth, but this should be judged based on actual conditions. If water doesn't enter the engine's air intake, there shouldn't be any problems. If the engine stalls due to water exposure, never attempt to restart it immediately. Forcing a restart could cause the engine to ingest more water, leading to severe damage. A submerged vehicle can damage the engine and electrical systems. Generally, if the water level remains below the air intake, no issues will arise. However, different car models have varying engine air intake heights and different electrical system layouts with varying lowest electrical component positions.
I've seen many cars submerged in the rain, and the height of the water is crucial. For instance, if the water just reaches half the height of the wheels, about ten centimeters, it's not a big issue—just the chassis might get a bit wet. However, driving fast could splash water onto the exhaust system or radiator. Once the water level exceeds the full height of the wheels, around 30 centimeters, water starts entering the engine intake. If the engine sucks in water at this point, it can directly damage the pistons and connecting rods, leading to repairs costing thousands. If the water reaches the bottom of the doors, it will flood the cabin, soaking the floor mats and causing the carpet to mold, resulting in bad odors inside the car and potential short circuits in the air conditioning wiring. If the water rises to the hood, over 60 centimeters, the car is almost beyond saving—the computer board may get soaked and burn out, airbags could deploy accidentally, and it's best not to drive but call a tow truck instead. When encountering deep water on the road, remember to pass slowly or, better yet, take a detour.
