Can Water Enter a Car's Transmission?
1 Answers
When a vehicle passes through excessively deep water, there is a possibility of water entering the transmission, which can lead to malfunctions. There are two scenarios for transmission water ingress: If the water level exceeds two-thirds of the wheel height: The probability of water entering the transmission is approximately 80% to 90%. If the water has already submerged the dashboard: The transmission is 100% certain to have water ingress. Here are three key practices for driving through water: Turn off the air conditioning: When the air conditioning is on, the electric fan located at the front of the vehicle will rotate. During water crossings, the rotating fan blades can stir up water splashes, potentially causing water to enter the transmission. Therefore, it is advisable to turn off the air conditioning before entering deep water and wait for the electric fan to stop before proceeding. Meeting oncoming vehicles in water: If you encounter an oncoming vehicle while driving through water, pay close attention to the height of the water waves generated by the front of their vehicle. If the waves are too high, you should accelerate slightly. This is because the waves created by your own vehicle can help counteract those from the oncoming vehicle, reducing the risk of water ingress. It is crucial to remain calm in such situations and avoid braking suddenly. Turn off all onboard electrical devices: Examples include the air conditioning and dash cams. The purpose is to prevent electrical equipment from short-circuiting or losing power due to water exposure.