What are the impacts if a car passes through deep water without stalling?
2 Answers
Theoretically, as long as water does not submerge the air intake, the engine will not be affected. However, there are too many unpredictable factors, such as waves created by passing vehicles that could splash into the air intake, or unknown underwater conditions like potholes, which may affect the vehicle's passability. If a car drives through deep water without stalling, it indicates that the air intake was not flooded. Below are precautions for driving in rainy conditions: 1. Reduce speed: Regardless of road width or condition, drive slowly in the rain, always observing the distance to vehicles ahead and behind, and be prepared to take emergency measures. Visibility is poor in the rain, and the vehicle's braking distance and emergency performance are reduced, so slow down in advance to allow enough time and space to handle situations safely. 2. Maintain distance: Poor visibility in the rain necessitates keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, especially large trucks, which can block your view and create waves that smaller vehicles may not handle well. 3. Use fog lights: Utilize fog lights to enhance safety in rainy conditions, and turn on hazard warning lights if necessary to alert following vehicles to your presence. 4. Do not restart after stalling: In heavy rain or storms, some areas may flood quickly. If you must drive through water, do so at a steady speed in a low gear. If the vehicle stalls, do not attempt to restart it immediately, as this could severely damage the engine. Instead, contact a professional repair service to inspect the vehicle before restarting.
As an experienced driver who often travels on mountain roads, I've seen many similar situations. It's indeed lucky that the car didn't stall when rushing through deep water, as the engine didn't immediately take in water and fail. However, there are significant hidden dangers. Deep water may enter the air filter or brake system, causing parts to rust or making it difficult to start next time; more dangerously, water soaking the wires can cause short circuits, leading to headlight or horn failure, which affects nighttime driving safety. After driving through, immediately find a safe place to park, check the tires for any foreign objects, and test the brakes several times to see if they feel normal—if they feel soft, don't drive further to avoid accidents. It's recommended to let the engine compartment dry for half an hour before hitting the road. Also, pay attention to washing the chassis during regular car washes to prevent rust and extend its lifespan. These small habits can help avoid major repair losses.
