Will the Transmission of a Flooded Car Get Water Inside?

[JourneyMarie]

When the water level reaches two specific positions, the transmission will get water inside: If the water level is more than two-thirds of the wheel height, the probability of the vehicle's transmission getting water inside is about 80% to 90%; if the water has already reached the dashboard level, the transmission is 100% flooded. Here are three practices for driving through water: 1. Turn off the air conditioning: When the air conditioning is on, the electronic fan at the front of the vehicle will rotate. During water wading, the rotating fan blades can stir up water, potentially causing water to enter the transmission. Therefore, it's advisable to turn off the air conditioning before wading and wait for the electronic fan to stop before entering the waterlogged area. 2. Pay attention to oncoming traffic: When wading through water, if there is oncoming traffic, be sure to observe the height of the water waves in front of the opposing vehicle. If the waves are too high, you should accelerate appropriately. The reason is that the waves generated by your vehicle can counteract those from the oncoming vehicle, reducing the impact. It's crucial not to panic or brake suddenly in such situations. 3. Turn off all electrical devices: Before wading, turn off all onboard electrical devices, such as the air conditioning and dash cams, to prevent water ingress that could lead to power failure or short circuits.

[Rex]

That time I drove through floodwater during a heavy rainstorm, and the next day I noticed the gearshift felt sticky. The mechanic said water had gotten into the transmission, and it ended up costing over 8,000 yuan to fix. Actually, most transmissions aren't fully sealed—especially manual shifters, which have rubber dust boots underneath that can't completely block water. If the water depth exceeds half the wheel height, water pressure can force it through vent holes. When transmission fluid emulsifies, it corrodes bearings and gears. Even if the car seems drivable at the time, metal components rust gradually. So don't take chances after water exposure—early inspection saves big money. Now every rainy season I avoid deep water, and if I do encounter puddles, I shift to low gear and maintain steady speed.

[MichaelLee]

The risk of water ingress into transmissions is often underestimated by car owners. Automatic transmission models are actually more vulnerable due to their precise structure. Water can seep in through transmission cooling vents or axle shaft seals, mixing with transmission fluid to form an emulsion that causes lubrication failure. Minor water ingress may only cause rough shifting, while severe cases can directly burn out clutch plates. A friend's car wasn't treated promptly after water exposure, and the transmission completely failed after just two weeks of driving. Special attention should be paid to hybrid models, as their motors and control modules are integrated into the transmission, making repairs even more expensive. If you notice abnormal shifting noises or lack of acceleration power after wading through water, immediately turn off the engine and call for a tow truck - never attempt a second start.

[EverlyMarie]

As a regular at auto repair shops, I remind everyone that the key to transmission waterproofing lies in maintenance. Transmission fluid should be changed every 50,000 kilometers, as aged oil seals are more prone to leakage when exposed to water. For manual transmissions, the clutch slave cylinder and shift cable boots are the most vulnerable points. Last year, I repaired a flooded CVT transmission where water backflowed through the cooling pipe connection, causing all the solenoids to rust solid. After driving through water, pay special attention to: checking the transmission fluid color—a milky white indicates water contamination; smelling for any burnt odor while driving; and listening for metallic grinding noises when shifting gears. These small warning signs can prevent major damage.