Can You Still Drive If the Transmission Gets Flooded?
2 Answers
You should not continue driving if the transmission gets flooded. Water primarily enters the transmission through the vent hole, as the transmission is not completely sealed, allowing water to directly infiltrate. Additionally, during operation, if the transmission encounters cold water and the water level is high, water can be sucked in through the vent hole. Related information: 1. Immediate Oil Circulation and Replacement: Once the transmission is flooded, it must be sent to a specialized transmission repair shop within 24 hours for oil circulation and replacement. If more than 24 hours have passed but less than 48 hours, disassembly and cleaning are required. Continued use under these conditions, with the transmission gears churning in a high-temperature and high-pressure environment, will cause the mixture of water and oil to strip internal components of their protective oil film. 2. Report for Repair: After 48 hours, transmission components will oxidize and develop rust. If these rusted parts are not promptly replaced, the resulting rust can further clog the oil passages, leading to minor issues like gear shift hesitation or slipping, or severe problems such as transmission burnout. Therefore, it is recommended to report for repair immediately after flooding to avoid greater losses.
Transmission water intrusion is no trivial matter – I've seen too many people suffer from this. The transmission contains precision gears and fluid; water contamination causes fluid emulsification, compromising lubrication. If you insist on driving, increased friction between gears can cause wear or even seizure within minutes, risking total transmission failure. Worse yet, internal rust may spread, making cleanup extremely costly. A childhood friend last year kept driving through floodwater instead of stopping, only to experience complete power loss en route to repair, nearly crashing into guardrails. The 8,000+ RMB repair bill was ten times the towing cost. From a safety perspective, transmission failure may cause sudden vehicle stoppage – especially deadly on highways. Therefore, stop immediately, don't drive further, and have it professionally inspected. Prevention is key: navigate floods slowly and avoid deep water.