Why Can't Flooded Cars Be Driven?
2 Answers
After a car is flooded, a thorough inspection of the vehicle's systems is necessary to determine if it can still be used. Specific hazards of flooded cars include: 1. Component Rust: Water immersion can easily cause rusting of body components, shortening the vehicle's lifespan and reducing safety performance. 2. Short Circuit and Stalling: Water damage can corrode and rust the vehicle's wiring, leading to sudden stalling or even spontaneous combustion due to short circuits while driving, with potentially catastrophic consequences. 3. Expensive Repairs: The cost to repair a water-damaged vehicle can be very high. In cases of severe flooding, repair costs may exceed 50% of the vehicle's original value.
After the last heavy rain, my neighbor insisted on driving his waterlogged car out, only for it to break down halfway. Let me tell you, the connectors in the engine compartment oxidize when soaked in water, and they can short-circuit while driving, causing a complete power failure. The worst part is if water gets into the engine—when the piston tries to compress it, it can't move, and the repair costs could be half the price of a new car. The carpet underneath is soaked with water, and within days, the moldy smell becomes unbearable, while the metal frame rusts from the inside out. Once at the repair shop, I saw a mechanic open up the airbag control module of a flood-damaged car—the circuits inside were covered in green mold. Driving such a car is like carrying a ticking time bomb.