Why is there water under the front of the car?
2 Answers
Water under the front of the car is generally caused by using the air conditioning. After turning on the air conditioning, condensation water from the AC will flow out from the front of the car, which is a normal phenomenon and not a problem. Here are some precautions regarding using the air conditioning in the car: 1. Do not keep the internal circulation on all the time: The air conditioning has a "circulation" button. Pressing this button will only circulate the air inside the cabin. When all windows and doors are closed, the air conditioning's cooling efficiency will be fully "absorbed," saving energy. While this may seem reasonable, it has a drawback. Over time, the air inside the cabin will become increasingly stale, and you might even feel a lack of oxygen. 2. Do not turn on the air conditioning immediately upon entering the car: When the weather outside is hot, the inside of the car is even hotter. As soon as you sit in the car, a wave of heat hits you, making it unbearably stuffy. Turning on the air conditioning immediately upon entering the car not only results in poor cooling efficiency but also increases the pressure on the engine during initial operation.
When I find water under my car, I usually don't panic right away because it could just be normal condensation from the air conditioning. Especially in summer when the AC is on, the evaporator in front of the engine condenses moisture from the air into water droplets, which then drain outside the car through a tube—usually clear and odorless. However, if there's an unusually large amount of water or a foul smell, it's time to be alert. It might indicate a coolant leak, a cracked radiator, or a hole in the windshield washer fluid reservoir. This happened to my car once—I checked the water by touch: if it's warm and slightly sweet, it could be coolant; if it's thick and colored, it might be engine oil. Quickly take it to a reliable repair shop to inspect the hoses and connections—it can save you a lot of trouble. Don’t ignore small issues, or they might turn into major repairs.
