What is the reason for the car not being able to shift gears the next day after wading through water?
2 Answers
Car not being able to shift gears the next day after wading through water is caused by water entering the clutch, which requires inspection and repair. The following is relevant information about driving through water: 1. Judge the depth of the water: If the water does not exceed half the height of the wheel, it is safe to drive; otherwise, it is not recommended to continue driving. 2. Use snow mode: After entering a waterlogged section, slow down and drive carefully. For automatic transmission cars, try to use first gear, preferably entering snow mode to prevent wheel slippage. 3. Continuous braking: After driving out of the waterlogged section, brake several times in succession to evaporate the water in the brake discs to avoid affecting the car's braking performance.
The day after my car went through a puddle, it wouldn’t shift gears, most likely because water got into the clutch system. When driving through water, the high pressure can force water through the gaps in the clutch master cylinder, contaminating the hydraulic fluid with air bubbles, which leads to incomplete clutch disengagement. That’s why the gear lever felt stiff and hard to move. I was stuck halfway, which was really frustrating. Fortunately, I managed to drive slowly to a repair shop for inspection. The mechanic said the clutch pump needed drying and the fluid had to be replaced, otherwise the seals could corrode and cause bigger issues. If the water level is high after driving through water, it might also affect the transmission internals. It’s recommended to wash the undercarriage immediately after the water recedes and keep it dry.
