Is it a big deal if the car is submerged up to the seats?
2 Answers
The impact is relatively significant if a car is submerged up to the seats. Here are the relevant details: 1. Identification method: The severity of a water-damaged vehicle depends on the height of the water submersion and whether the vehicle was started while submerged. 2. Minor impact scenario: If the water only reaches below the seats, a height that hasn't reached the vehicle's air intake, fuse box, or the central control dashboard, the impact on the vehicle is relatively minor after thorough cleaning. 3. Major impact scenario: However, this height already reaches the transmission, oil pan, and exhaust pipe. Therefore, during cleanup, it's necessary to replace the transmission fluid, engine oil, and brake fluid, as well as perform cleaning and maintenance on the vehicle's braking system, exhaust pipe, and catalytic converter. This can further reduce the impact of water submersion on the vehicle's subsequent use.
I had the misfortune of experiencing a flood that reached the seats last year, and it was really frustrating. After the water got in, the carpets and seats were completely soaked, quickly growing mold with a disgusting smell. What's worse, the electronic systems were damaged too—the audio and air conditioning control panels short-circuited and stopped working. When I took it to the repair shop, the mechanic said just cleaning the interior would cost thousands, not to mention fixing the electrical issues. The worst part was the risk of engine water damage; restarting it could even ruin the transmission. Now, whenever it rains heavily, I panic and rush to move my car. My sincere advice: if this happens, don’t move the car randomly—call a tow truck immediately and send it to a professional shop. If not fixed in time, the whole car could be totaled, and insurance might not cover all the costs—it’s truly painful. Experience taught me: safety first, don’t take big risks for small savings.
