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How Driving Through a Flood Can Damage Your Car
After a heavy rainstorm, large and deep puddles can remain on the roads. In extreme cases, rivers may overflow their banks, leaving several inches of water on the streets. You might think it’s safe to drive through a few inches of standing water, but what you don’t realize is how this can affect your car in the long run.
Even though it takes several feet of water to completely wash away a vehicle, just a few inches can cause serious damage to your engine and other internal components. The next time you’re driving after a storm, keep these points in mind.
**It Doesn’t Take Much**
As a general rule, avoid driving through puddles or flooded roads at high speeds. First, you never know how deep the water actually is. What looks like a small puddle could be much deeper than it appears. Plus, there could be hidden dangers beneath the surface—like sharp objects that could puncture your tires or cause other damage.
Driving through water that’s at least four inches deep or standing water that’s six inches deep can seriously harm your car:
- Brake rotors can warp due to sudden cooling.
- Power steering systems may fail unexpectedly.
- Electrical components could short out.
- Water splashing into the engine can cause major damage.
Going fast through floodwaters increases the risk of hydroplaning, which can lead to loss of control and potentially dangerous accidents. If your car stalls while driving through water, trying to restart it could make things worse by drawing even more water into the engine.
**The Engine**
Your car's engine is especially vulnerable when driving through floodwaters. The faster you go, the more water you splash onto the engine, increasing the chance of damage. Driving above 25 mph could be too risky for your engine.
But it’s not just the engine that’s at risk. Water can also be sucked into other parts, like the vent pipe, which could lead to transmission failure. Additionally, the air intake might pull in water, causing it to enter the engine cylinders. This leads to hydrostatic lock, where the pistons get stuck, and the engine stops working, possibly damaging other important parts.
Even a small amount of moisture can cause this issue. After driving through floodwater, check under your car. If you see any dampness or moisture, it’s possible water entered the air intake and damaged the engine.
**Can My Car Be Saved?**
Even if your car starts the next day after driving through flood conditions, it might still have hidden damage. Don’t rely only on visual checks. Inspect the oil, differential fluid, and transmission fluid for signs of water contamination. Also, check your belts and the intake manifold for any unusual wear or damage.
While you can do a basic inspection yourself, it’s best to take your car to a professional mechanic for a thorough check. They’ll examine your car’s mechanical and electrical systems and likely flush and replace fluids to prevent further issues.
If you're worried about flood damage to your car, bring it in for an assessment. At DaSilva’s Auto Body, we specialize in helping vehicles affected by water damage. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and ensure your car is safe and ready to drive.