What are the effects of water entering the car cabin?
2 Answers
If too much water enters, it can affect the heart of the car—the engine, transmission, belts, and other components. 1. Minor water ingress: If the amount of water entering the cabin is very small and the affected area is minimal, you can wipe the water stains clean yourself, lower the windows, and, if possible, open all the doors to dry the car in the sunlight. Additionally, placing some desiccants inside the car can help. 2. Removing musty odors: If the water ingress is severe or the car still has lingering musty odors after drying, it means water has seeped beneath the floor mats, including into materials like foam, causing dampness and mold. In such cases, it’s necessary to visit a professional auto repair shop to remove the seats and floor mats for thorough cleaning to eliminate the musty smell.
I know all too well about water getting into the cabin. Last time after a heavy rain, there was 5cm of standing water in my car. I thought just drying it would be enough, but the problems were serious. The wiring under the seats short-circuited, frying the window regulators. When the mechanic pulled up the carpet, we found all the soundproofing foam had mold growing - that musty smell lingered for six months. Worse yet, the steering column under the wheel rusted, making awful creaking noises when turning, and ultimately cost over 2,000 yuan to replace. The most dangerous part was when the brake pedal sensor failed, nearly causing a rear-end collision. Now I'm hyper-vigilant about sunroof drain holes - I clear them myself every car wash. If water gets in, I immediately take it to a professional shop to remove seats for proper drying, because post-water damage repairs can end up costing more than a new car.
