
The difference between wading and water immersion: 1. In terms of hazard level: Wading can cause certain damage to the car's chassis, as well as some car lights and precision components; Water-immersed cars can be repaired to a certain extent, but even after repair, there are serious hidden dangers. 2. In terms of definition: A wading car refers to a vehicle driving in low-lying, waterlogged areas, passing through water; A water-immersed car refers to a car that has been soaked in water, mostly referring to cars where the wiring has been soaked, the water immersion depth exceeds one-third of the wheel, and the bottom components of the body have been in prolonged contact with water. Such cars have a very high risk factor.

I've been driving for over a decade, and there's a significant difference between wading and flooding. Wading refers to actively driving through waterlogged areas, such as flooded roads or small streams. The key is to control your speed and depth properly, ensuring water doesn't rise above the engine's air intake to prevent water from being sucked into the engine and damaging internal components. When I wade through water, I always drive slowly at a steady speed, making sure the water level isn't too high. Flooding is entirely different—it's when the car is passively submerged in water, possibly due to heavy rain or flooding, with water rising above the floor mats or even the hood. In such cases, water can seep into the electrical system and transmission, causing short circuits, rust, and other issues that are extremely costly to repair. I must remind everyone to assess their capability when wading through water, and if your car gets flooded, never start the engine—have it towed to a repair shop immediately for inspection.

I often drive in the rain, and wading through water is just a simple process of stepping through it. You control the wheels submerged in the water, being careful not to go too deep. I usually check the water level markers before wading, typically not exceeding the center of the tires, which helps protect the chassis and electronic components. Flooding, on the other hand, is beyond your control—when the car is submerged in water, especially during prolonged flooding, water can seep under the seats, into the fuel tank, and even reach the computer boards. I remember a typhoon season when a friend's car was totaled after being flooded because the entire wiring harness corroded. The difference is that wading is a controllable risk, while flooding is a catastrophic event. I advise everyone not to park in low-lying areas, pay attention to weather forecasts during the rainy season, and take preventive measures.

I was very cautious when wading through water, such as driving slowly through puddles to avoid splashing. Wading is just a brief contact with water, with the aim of safely crossing. Flooding is much worse, where the car is submerged in water for at least half a day or more, allowing water to seep into the interior, leading to mold, odors, and even corrosion of critical components. A key point is not to attempt starting the car after flooding, as this can cause more severe engine damage. To prevent wading from turning into flooding, observe that the water depth does not exceed the chassis.


