Is it serious if water reaches the car seats?
2 Answers
It is serious if water reaches the car seats. Here is relevant information: Water submersion height: The severity of a flooded car depends on the height of water submersion and whether the vehicle was started in water; Water reaches under the seats: If the water only reaches under the seats, this height has not yet reached the vehicle's air intake, nor the fuse box and dashboard. After thorough cleaning, the impact on the vehicle is relatively minor; Timely repairs: If the water reaches the transmission, oil pan, and exhaust pipe, then during cleaning, it is necessary to replace the transmission fluid, engine oil, and brake fluid, as well as clean and maintain the vehicle's braking system, exhaust pipe, and catalytic converter. This can further reduce the impact of flooding on the vehicle's subsequent use.
Recently my car got flooded up to the seat level during a heavy rainstorm, which was quite severe to be honest. Water seeped into the seats and soaked the foam padding, not only damaging the interior but also leaving a persistent musty smell that makes driving uncomfortable. More critically, the electronic systems like the airbag control module and audio unit might have short-circuited - repairs for those can get expensive fast. I immediately called a tow truck to take it to the repair shop where they disassembled the interior for thorough cleaning/drying and replaced some parts, costing several thousand yuan. My advice: never start the engine after water exposure to prevent hydro-lock damage, and get professional treatment ASAP to avoid long-term corrosion or odors.