Will the car get water inside when driving in heavy rain?
3 Answers
Under normal circumstances, driving in heavy rain will not cause water to enter the car. Here are specific symptoms of water ingress in vehicles: 1. Abnormal engine oil condition: Normal engine oil colors include light yellow, brown, and transparent colorless, but it generally does not appear milky white. Pull out the dipstick to check if there is a milky white mixture of oil and water; if present, it may indicate water in the engine. 2. Check the air filter: Inspect the air filter and the lower housing of the air filter for obvious signs of water ingress, and check the intake pipe and intake manifold for clear traces of water. 3. White smoke from the exhaust pipe: If there is water in the engine fuel or combustion chamber, the water is heated by the combustion heat in the cylinder and turns into steam, which is expelled from the exhaust pipe as white smoke. If white smoke appears after the vehicle has driven through water, it is highly likely that water has entered the engine.
I've been driving for nearly twenty years and often drive in heavy rain. Normally, when driving in heavy rain, as long as the doors and windows are tightly closed and the car's sealing system is intact, water won't easily enter the cabin. However, older vehicles or those with worn-out seals may experience water seepage through door gaps or window edges, and if the sunroof drainage holes are clogged, water may leak into the roof lining. Last summer, while driving from Guangzhou to Dongguan, the rain was so heavy that a small crack at the bottom of the passenger door allowed rainwater to slowly seep in, soaking the floor mat. Since then, I check all the sealing strips annually for cracks and regularly clean dust from the window tracks. Before driving, ensure all doors and windows are tightly closed, and slow down in heavy rain to avoid bumps that might compromise the seals. When parking, choose higher ground and avoid puddles. Overall, the risk of water entering the car is low, but proper maintenance is key.
From the perspective of automotive structure, it is rare for cars to take in water during heavy rain, as vehicle bodies are designed with tight waterproofing systems. The rubber seals along the doors and window frames can block rainwater, but aging seals or door deformation may create gaps leading to water seepage. The ventilation ports are located below the rear of the hood, where rainwater might be sucked into the air conditioning system, causing fogging—switch to recirculation mode to prevent moisture in such cases. I remind my neighbors to regularly lubricate door hinges to maintain flexibility and check carpets for dampness after rain to spot issues promptly. If encountering flooded areas, it's best to stop if water depth exceeds half the tire height, as high water pressure may breach underbody protection. Modern cars have excellent sealing, but one must still be cautious of aging components failing and causing trouble.
