What Causes a Car to Shake After Driving Through Deep Water?
2 Answers
After driving through accumulated water, significant shaking in the car is mainly due to a small amount of water entering the high-voltage wires, leading to poor ignition. Below are the correct methods for driving through water: 1. Assess the depth of the water: If the water does not exceed half the height of the wheels, it is safe to proceed; otherwise, it is not advisable to continue driving. 2. Use snow mode: After entering a waterlogged section, slow down and proceed cautiously. For automatic transmission cars, it is best to use first gear and preferably engage snow mode to prevent wheel slippage. 3. Continuous braking: After exiting the waterlogged section, apply the brakes several times in succession to evaporate the moisture from the brake discs, ensuring the car's braking performance is not affected.
Oh my, that day I drove through a deep puddle, and my car started shaking violently. I was completely stunned at the time. Later, after checking some information, I realized it was mostly due to water getting into the engine—water can't be compressed, so during combustion, the cylinders vibrate as if 'exploding.' Wet spark plugs might also fail to ignite, causing the engine to run irregularly. Additionally, if the air filter gets wet, it can block the air intake, making the car shake even more as it struggles to get air. I suggest stopping and turning off the engine to check the undercarriage and engine bay, just like I did. Don’t restart it immediately, or the damage could worsen. When driving through puddles, remember to go slow and maintain a steady speed to reduce the risk of splashing water inside. Regular maintenance of these parts can save you from expensive repairs later. If the shaking persists, take it to a repair shop right away—don’t delay. Shaking after driving through deep water is definitely not a good sign and needs immediate attention.
