What Impact Does a Typhoon Have on Cars?

[VonElisa]

Typhoons can affect cars in the following ways: Squeaky Brakes When Starting: This is usually caused by moisture on the brake pads, leading to rust between the pads and discs. After driving through water, press the brakes a few more times to expel the moisture. Engine Shaking: Humid weather and large temperature variations create favorable conditions for carbon buildup-related faults. Combined with the increased resistance from driving through water, this can more easily cause the engine to stall in water. Therefore, it's important to regularly use a carbon cleaner to remove deposits. Dashboard Warning Lights: Driving through water can cause splashed water to enter the alternator, triggering the alternator warning light. This serves as a reminder to slow down and drive cautiously through flooded areas. Clutch Not Disengaging: In manual transmission cars, the clutch plate can stick after driving through water, leading to incomplete disengagement and difficulty shifting gears. This also serves as a reminder that automatic transmission cars can experience water ingress in the gearbox. Belt Squealing: When the belt and tensioner get wet, they may slip, producing a squealing noise.

[DiPaislee]

Driving during a typhoon is really tough. The rain turns the windshield into frosted glass, and even with the wipers on full speed, it's hard to keep it clear. Especially when driving through flooded areas, not only do the wheels skid, but the worst fear is stalling and getting waterlogged. Last week, my neighbor's car had its hood dented by a falling tree branch, and cars parked on the roadside suffered even more. If the water level rises above the exhaust pipe, engine flooding can cost tens of thousands to repair. So when a typhoon warning is issued, it's best to move the car to an underground garage immediately. If that's not possible, at least avoid parking under trees or near billboards. If your car gets flooded, never attempt to restart it—first take photos and report to the insurance. Water damage to the electrical system can cause short circuits, making repairs particularly troublesome.

[EmeryDella]

The worst thing during a typhoon is having to drive out. With strong winds and heavy rain, visibility can drop to just a few dozen meters. Torrential rain significantly reduces tire grip, making hydroplaning and loss of control on highways especially likely—last month, I witnessed two cars rear-end each other on the freeway. In urban low-lying areas, it's hard to judge water depth, and accidentally entering deep water could destroy the engine. I remember after one typhoon, repair shops were packed with flood-damaged cars—seats filled with mud, dashboards soaked with water stains when taken apart. Now, whenever weather alerts are issued, I fill up my tank a day early and move my car to higher ground, preferably under an overpass or in a multi-story parking garage. Never risk parking in free roadside spots.

[DeOlivia]

Heavy rain and typhoon weather can cause significant damage to cars, as I learned the hard way last year. Vehicles parked outdoors may have their paint and windows damaged by flying debris, or worse, get flooded. If water submerges the chassis, the underbody coating and wiring harnesses can rust; if it rises above the dashboard, it can cause electrical failures throughout the vehicle. Driving through deep water can lead to waves flooding the air intake, causing the engine to stall instantly. Therefore, during typhoons, it's best to avoid using the car or at least steer clear of low-lying areas like underpasses. After the rain stops, promptly inspect the car, open all doors to ventilate and dry it out, and rinse the chassis to prevent corrosion—otherwise, you might end up with mold inside the car, and by then, it’s too late.

[OKingston]

After experiencing several typhoons, I realized parking location is crucial. Last year, my friend parked under a tree and the trunk snapped in the wind, crushing the entire roof—even the airbags deployed. Now we all park in open areas or steel-structured multi-level parking spaces. Driving during typhoons also requires extra caution; crosswinds can cause noticeable body sway, especially when crossing bridges—grip the steering wheel firmly. Never drive fast through floodwaters—waves can push water into the engine bay. I've seen novice drivers force their way through, only to end up with bent connecting rods. Also, water-damaged cars are complex to repair, requiring full fluid changes and electronic module replacements. For insurance claims, remember to photograph the waterline as evidence.

[AdrianaRose]

The impact of typhoons on vehicles can be divided into visible and invisible types. On the surface, there might be dents from falling branches or dirty water marks on the car body after heavy rain. However, the hidden damages are the real headache. Mud and debris can clog the gaps in the chassis, leading to rust if not washed off promptly. The most troublesome are waterlogged vehicles—if water enters the exhaust tailpipe, it can cause backflow, bending internal engine components. Even after repairs, fault codes may frequently appear later, with corroded wiring connectors causing intermittent errors due to poor contact. Therefore, after a typhoon, I always use a high-pressure water gun to thoroughly clean the chassis gaps, lift and dry the door seals, and use a wire to clear the sunroof drainage holes to prevent water accumulation from leaking into the car and damaging electronic components.