Is the Car Chassis Sealed?
2 Answers
The car chassis is not sealed. Methods for handling water ingress in the chassis: The chassis may leak water. If water enters the exhaust pipe, it is recommended to turn off the engine immediately. Otherwise, step on the accelerator to prevent water from entering the exhaust pipe and leave the waterlogged area as quickly as possible. While the chassis itself is not sealed, some components of the chassis assembly are relatively sealed, such as the transmission and differential assembly. However, when wading through water, many drivers are unaware of how deep the water can be before it becomes unsafe, leading to engine stalling or water ingress. Precautions: Therefore, when passing through unfamiliar waterlogged areas, it is essential to determine the approximate water depth and road conditions. Alternatively, observe the movement of larger vehicles ahead to estimate the water depth and route. For small cars, the wading depth can be estimated based on the radius of the vehicle's tires. In other words, if the water does not exceed half the height of the tire when the vehicle is stationary, it is relatively safe to proceed.
Last time I had my car lifted at the auto repair shop, I carefully observed that the chassis is definitely not sealed! The exhaust pipes and suspension components are all exposed, and you can even see the ground. Car manufacturers intentionally designed drainage holes; otherwise, rainwater accumulation would corrode the chassis. Those who apply undercoating should be careful—applying it too thick can block the drainage channels and cause more trouble. However, critical parts like the transmission and fuel tank do have protective plates, but they're mainly there to shield against small stones. Remember, when washing your car, never use a high-pressure water jet to spray the chassis seams directly. A friend of mine loosened a wiring harness connector this way, triggering a warning light and costing over 800 yuan in diagnostics.