Will the Engine Get Waterlogged When Driving in Heavy Rain?
2 Answers
Driving in heavy rain will not cause the engine to get waterlogged. However, if the water level rises and submerges more than half of the tires, the engine may get waterlogged. In such cases, do not attempt to start the engine immediately. First, check that there is no water accumulation in the intake pipe before starting the vehicle. If an incident occurs, do not try to move or restart the car. Instead, take photos of the submerged vehicle and keep them as evidence. Then, contact your car insurance provider as soon as possible to file a claim and arrange for damage assessment and compensation. Here are some precautions for driving in rainy weather: 1. Slow down: Regardless of road width or condition, always drive slowly in the rain and maintain awareness of the distance between your vehicle and others. Be prepared to take emergency measures if necessary. Reduced visibility and longer braking distances in wet conditions mean you should slow down early to allow ample time and space for safe maneuvering. 2. Maintain a safe distance: Rainy weather limits visibility, so it's crucial to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Always monitor the distance between your car and those ahead or behind, and increase the gap if needed. Stay especially far away from large vehicles, as they can block your view and may create splashes that interfere with your driving. Additionally, large vehicles can navigate through deeper water that smaller cars cannot. 3. Use fog lights: Make full use of fog lights to enhance driving safety in the rain. Turn on hazard lights if necessary to alert following vehicles of your presence and movements. 4. Do not restart a stalled engine: During heavy rain or storms, some roads may flood quickly. If you must drive through water, do so at a steady, low speed. If your vehicle stalls, do not attempt to restart it, as this could severely damage the engine. Instead, contact a professional repair service immediately. Only restart the car after a technician has inspected it and confirmed it is safe to do so.
As an ordinary person who drives frequently, I think driving in heavy rain doesn't easily cause water to enter the engine. Rain hitting the car body is blocked by the hood and the intake system. Modern cars are designed with the air intake positioned relatively high, near the front edge of the hood and at a certain distance from the ground, so rainwater generally doesn’t reach the internal engine. However, if the water level rises above the height of the intake, such as a puddle reaching near the headlights, driving at high speed or at the wrong angle could cause water to be sucked into the engine, leading to serious issues like stalling or cylinder damage. Once during typhoon season, I drove through water that was almost halfway up the tires at a low speed and had no issues, but my neighbor accidentally rushed into a deep water area, causing engine damage that took a long time to repair. So, while the risk of water entering the engine in heavy rain is generally low, it ultimately depends on the water depth and driving behavior. Avoiding deep water is crucial—always check if the water level exceeds the threshold before driving through. The engine compartment is well-sealed, and daily protection makes it difficult for rainwater to enter. Safety first—don’t take unnecessary risks.
