How Driving Through a Flood Can Damage Your Car

After a heavy downpour, large puddles often linger on the roads. In severe situations, nearby rivers can overflow their banks, leaving several inches of water covering the streets. While you might think your car can handle a few inches of standing water, have you ever considered how this could impact your vehicle?

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take a massive amount of water to cause significant damage to your car. Even a few inches of water can wreak havoc on your engine and other critical internal components. Next time you're tempted to drive through flooded areas after a storm, keep these points in mind.

Water Hazards

Driving through puddles or flooded roads at high speeds is risky business. First off, you can't always tell how deep the water really is—what looks shallow might actually be deeper than expected. Additionally, submerged objects like debris or sharp rocks can pose a threat to your tires, potentially leading to a flat or worse, a breakdown.

Beyond the obvious dangers, driving through moving water that's at least four inches deep or standing water that's six inches deep can severely damage your car's internal systems:

• The brake rotors may warp due to rapid cooling
• The power steering system may fail abruptly
• Electrical components can short circuit
• Flooding can lead to costly engine damage

High-speed driving through floods increases the risk of hydroplaning, which can result in loss of vehicle control. Depending on your location, this could lead to collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or property damage.

If your car stalls while driving through floodwaters, attempting to restart it is a bad idea. This action forces even more water into the engine, potentially causing further damage and more expensive repairs.

Damage to Your Engine

There are multiple ways water can harm your engine when driving through a flooded area. The faster you go, the greater the likelihood of splashing water onto your engine. Driving above 25 miles per hour can overwhelm your engine's capabilities.

However, the engine isn't the only part you should be worried about. Water can enter through other openings, such as the vent pipe, potentially leading to transmission failure. Similarly, the air intake might suck in water, allowing it to seep into the engine's cylinders. This situation creates hydrostatic lock, where the pistons seize up and the engine stalls, impacting other essential parts in the process.

Even a small amount of moisture can cause hydrostatic lock. After driving through a flood, inspect the area beneath the bumper. If you notice any moisture or dampness, there's a good chance water has entered the air intake and possibly damaged the engine.

Is Your Car Salvageable?

Just because your car starts the day after driving through flood conditions doesn't mean it's safe to use. Hidden problems can arise later, even if you don’t immediately notice any visible signs of moisture. A key indicator that something is wrong? Look for water in the oil, differential fluid, and transmission fluid. Pay attention to the condition of the belts and the intake manifold as well.

While a quick inspection by yourself might give you some insight, it’s always best to have a professional mechanic or technician thoroughly assess your car for any potential damage. Not only should they inspect the mechanical and electrical systems, but they’ll likely need to flush and replace the fluids.

If you're concerned about flood damage to your car, bring it to DaSilva’s Auto Body for a comprehensive evaluation. To schedule an appointment, contact us today.

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