Can an Audi with Water in the Transmission Still Be Driven?
2 Answers
Audi transmission with water ingress should not be driven. Regularly change automatic transmission fluid: Ensures smooth and seamless gear shifting, improves handling performance, provides excellent oxidation resistance, reduces component corrosion, and offers superior protection for gear assemblies with its extreme pressure additives. Hazards of not changing regularly: Chemical degradation of automatic transmission fluid leads to impurity formation, causing oil passage blockage and affecting gear shifting functionality. Prolonged high-temperature operation reduces the lubricating properties of the fluid, increasing wear on clutch plates and potentially causing "stall" phenomena. Extended use also diminishes the antioxidant effectiveness of the fluid, raising the risk of component corrosion.
Last time my buddy's Audi A6 got water in the transmission. He stubbornly drove it home, and the next day it completely broke down. When water gets into precision components like transmissions, it mixes with the oil to form an emulsion, completely nullifying lubrication - gears and bearings grind dry and fail quickly. Even scarier, water causes electrical shorts and makes valve bodies rust and seize. If you notice rough shifting or unusual noises after driving through water, you must shut off the engine immediately and call a tow truck! There's still hope if towed to a professional shop - first drain the fluid to check emulsification level, disassemble and clean the valve body, replace seals, or in severe cases replace the entire assembly. You really need to be cautious driving in rain - if water exceeds half the tire height, don't force your way through, or the repair bill will definitely hurt.