How Deep Does Water Need to Be for the Engine to Take in Water?

[LaLaura]

For ordinary sedans, when the water level reaches above 20 centimeters (for SUVs with higher ground clearance, this threshold increases to 30 centimeters), there is a risk of water entering the engine. Below is relevant information: 1. Ways water enters the engine: There are two main ways water can enter the engine: first, due to the low position of the engine's air intake, water can be sucked into the engine when the vehicle is driving through water; second, if the exhaust pipe's outlet is below the waterline, water can be sucked into the engine through the exhaust pipe when the vehicle is in water. 2. Handling method: If water enters the engine, it will inevitably cause the engine to stall. Since water in the cylinders lacks lubricating properties, attempting to restart the engine blindly after stalling can lead to severe engine damage, such as cylinder scuffing, potentially rendering the engine irreparable. The correct course of action is to push the vehicle to a higher, water-free area, contact your insurance company, and then have the vehicle towed to a repair shop to assess the extent of water damage.