Can the car still be driven if water gets under the seats?
2 Answers
Water reaching under the car seats is a serious issue. In most cases, a slight amount of water above the cabin floor is not a problem. Here are detailed explanations: 1. Damage: Flooding can damage the engine and electrical systems. Generally, water levels below the air intake are safe. The height of the engine air intake varies by model, as does the level of electrification and the lowest electrical component position. 2. Handling methods: If there isn't too much water under the rear seat mats, you can remove the mats and carpets, clean them with automotive-specific carpet cleaner and a brush, then air dry. Remove remaining water inside the car, open the doors to air dry, or drive the car to a sunny area to dry. If the seats are leather, avoid direct sunlight exposure.
If water gets under your car seat, I strongly advise against driving immediately as it can be quite dangerous. Water can cause short circuits in the wiring underneath, and if the electrical system fails while driving, the car may suddenly stall or even catch fire. There are usually carpets and wire harnesses under the seats, which can rust and mold when wet, damaging heating pads or airbag modules and causing them to malfunction. I remember last time when it rained and the window wasn’t closed properly, water leaked in, leaving a musty smell in the car—it took a few days to fix. First, check the cause of the water ingress—was it a leaking sunroof or an unclosed window? Then use towels to soak up the water, remove the seats, and ventilate to dry them to prevent mold. If there’s too much water or it entered through the chassis, take it to a professional shop for inspection to avoid higher repair costs later.
