What Causes Water Dripping Under the Car in Summer?
2 Answers
When the air conditioning is on, the temperature inside the evaporator is low, causing the air to condense. The condensed water is discharged through a dedicated drain hole inside the car, leading to water flowing out from the chassis near the passenger side, which is a normal occurrence. Below are relevant details: 1. Location: The water dripping from the car's air conditioning system is typically located towards the middle-right side of the front of the car. Therefore, if you drive for a while in summer, turn off the engine, and wait for some time, you may notice water dripping from the middle-right side of the chassis. Soon, a puddle of clean, transparent water can be seen on the ground beneath the car. This is not a sign of any problem with the vehicle but rather the water discharged by the car's air conditioning system. 2. Exhaust Pipe: It is also normal for the muffler and exhaust pipe at the rear of the car to drip water, a phenomenon that mostly occurs during winter.
Driving more in summer, you'll notice water dripping under the car is very common in hot weather, with the most frequent source being the air conditioning system. When the AC operates, it absorbs heat from inside the car, forming condensation that turns into water droplets which drip out from the drainage pipe under the chassis—just like water dripping from an external AC unit—completely normal. If the water is clear, colorless, and odorless, there's no need to worry; just let it drip dry after parking. However, if the water has a tint, such as green or blue, it might indicate coolant leakage, which is dangerous because coolant maintains the engine's temperature balance. A leak can cause overheating and damage, so immediate repair is necessary. The exhaust system can also drip water, especially when starting a cold engine, though this happens less in summer. Develop a habit of quickly checking the dripping situation after parking to distinguish between normal AC condensation and problematic fluids, ensuring safe driving.
