How to handle a car that has been submerged in water.

(Baonghean.vn) - Water not only negatively affects the electrical system and stains the interior, but more seriously, it can damage the engine when it enters the combustion chamber; causing water compression, also known as hydrolock.

After an unfortunate incident involving flooding, which parts of the car are most severely affected, and how can damage be minimized when driving on flooded roads? This is a question of great concern to many car owners.

Consequences of a car being submerged in water.

- Water is harmful to bearings and bushings under the vehicle, affecting the starter motor, alternator, fans, electrical components, sensors, etc.

- Water is the number one enemy of engines. If water floods up to the hood, it can enter through the air intake, causing engine damage and sudden engine failure. This is called hydrolock.

- When water damage occurs, minor issues may only require replacing the connecting rod, while severe cases may necessitate replacing the entire engine and electrical system, which can be quite costly.

- The electrical system is also sensitive to water. Short circuits and control system failures can occur when water seeps from the undercarriage to the floor of the vehicle. This can lead to error messages for various parts or cause many functions of the car to malfunction. The deeper and longer the car is submerged in water, the more susceptible the electrical system is to damage.

- Even if water only gets into the cylinder, it's dangerous. The cylinder walls can rust, and the car will then consume fuel excessively.

Solutions to reduce damage when driving on flooded roads.

- When driving through flooded areas, the first thing to do is determine whether the water is shallow or deep and whether the vehicle being used is an SUV or a sedan. Generally, if the water level is not more than 20 cm, the vehicle can safely pass through.

- When driving through flooded areas, drivers should not open the doors to prevent water from entering the vehicle.

- When driving through flooded areas, turn off the air conditioner (AC button), shift to first gear, maintain a steady, moderate speed, keep the engine running smoothly, and drive calmly. For automatic cars, switch to semi-automatic mode and stay in first gear. If left in automatic mode, the car will automatically shift to second gear, causing a loss of acceleration and allowing water to enter the engine through the exhaust pipe. Note that you should not depress the clutch in manual cars when driving through flooded areas to avoid stalling.

- For cars that have stalled due to flooding, drivers should not attempt to restart the engine because water entering the engine can easily cause it to seize. If there is water in the engine, transmission, or fuel system, trying to start it again is the quickest way to damage the car.

- Avoid accelerating aggressively because strong acceleration can cause water to overflow the radiator grille and enter the intake manifold. Additionally, sudden acceleration increases engine RPM, and if water enters, it can worsen the hydraulic lock phenomenon, potentially causing the connecting rods to bend.

- After passing through the flooded area, you need to continue driving for a short distance, gently applying the brakes to remove excess water from the brake discs. Then, get out and check the engine and undercarriage.

- If your car suddenly stalls in a flooded area, absolutely do not try to restart it. Instead, remove the ignition key, push the car to higher ground, and immediately call for roadside assistance.

- If a car isn't towed out of the flooded area immediately, it can damage the electrical control units. In this case, mechanics will have to disassemble the engine to fix it. Therefore, when a car stalls due to flooding, the best course of action is to call for roadside assistance and have the car towed to a dealership for inspection. The handling of problems after flooding varies depending on the car, so don't try to fix it yourself if you lack technical expertise.

- A car door that has been submerged in water will retain a lot of water inside, affecting the speaker system and wiring. The lighting system will also be severely affected. Even if the water is drained and dried, the possibility of future risks such as short circuits, exposed wires, or corrosion at the contact points is unavoidable. After each flooding incident, you should take your car to a workshop for a complete inspection and maintenance.

If you observe that the water level is higher than half the height of your wheels, you should not risk driving through it.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)