Do you know how dangerous puddles can be for a car?

Anyone who has not accelerated in front of a puddle at least once in order to drive through it with a spectacular splash of water, let him throw a stone first. When the road is empty, straight and level, it is difficult to stop ... A trip through the puddles can end, however, not with a spectacular fountain, but with a spectacular failure. You do not believe? And still!

Shortly speaking

Driving in a puddle at high speed can suck water into the engine, flood the ignition system and electronics (such as a generator or control computer), damage brake discs or exhaust system components such as a turbocharger, DPF or catalytic converter.

Dampness is the main enemy of the car

What nonsense, because cars are not made of paper - you might think. Yes, it's not. None of us give up driving just because it's raining, and we don't look for detours when the road home turns into a rushing stream. However, amphibious vehicles are not completely waterproof. They can stand very bad driving through puddles at high speed... The pressure generated by the speed causes the wheels to "pump" water into corners and under the car.

You never know what hole a puddle is hiding - especially during thaws, when the unevenness of the road surface only appears. And tearing off the bumper is the smallest problem you'll have to face when the gap is deeper than you thought. The quality of our roads can still surprise you!

Through GIPHY

Worst case scenario - water being sucked into the engine

The most serious effect of dynamic puddle driving is suction of water through the intake system into the combustion chamber... This usually ends with an immediate stop in the middle of the road and a significant expense for the owner. Water that enters the cylinders may damage the cylinder head, pistons, connecting rods, rings or bushings... If it gets into the oil pump, it will also affect the lubrication performance.

They are especially susceptible to water sucked in by the drive when driving through puddles. old cars with leaking engine covers (probably every mechanic knows cases when this cover hung on poles or a wire) or with air supply pipes, as well as tunedwhose undercarriage was too low.

Submerged ignition

The suction of water into the engine often results in intermittent operation. Another malfunction gives similar symptoms, fortunately, its repair is cheaper - flooding of ignition wires and spark plugs... Symptoms usually go away on their own when all system components dry out. You can speed up the process by drying them with compressed air and spraying with a water-displacing agent such as WD-40. If the engine continues to run erratically or stalls after drying out, it is likely that the water has gone too far, damaging the ignition cables or getting into the injection and ignition system control parts.

Puddle against electronics: control computer, generator

The electrical system often loses in a collision with moisture, especially in those cars where the designers have not fully thought out the placement of sensors and even the control computer. In many cars, including the most modern ones, the motor controller is in the pit... As long as it is protected by rubber pads, water running down the gutter above it is not a problem. But rubber is that it crushes. When leaks appear, each hit in a puddle and new rain will mean a bath for the control computer. Many drivers additionally protect itfor example silicone, varnish or special sealants.

Problems often arise after extremely dynamic driving through puddles. generator... In many cars, especially Fiat, it is located very low, which very quickly causes damage to its body. Every leak is potentially dangerous because the water ends up in the smallest nook. May cause short circuit or seizure of bearings.

Defective brakes

Driving into a puddle can also cause brake failure. The scenario is always the same: first, sharp or frequent braking, in which the brake discs warm up to a red color, and then a cooling bath. Such heatstroke makes them warpwhich manifests itself in strong vibration of the steering wheel when braking. Curved brake discs shorten the life of other steering and suspension components, especially wheel bearings.

Catalytic converter, turbocharger, DPF filter

A cold bath can also damage other components that get hot while driving: catalyst, turbocharger or soot filter... Of course, this type of malfunction is much less common than bending of a brake disc, but it does happen. And they can seriously hurt your car's maintenance budget.

Water slide

Dynamic driving through puddles contributes to the phenomenon of aquaplaning, in other words, loss of grip on wet roads... Aquaplaning, also known as aquaplaning or aquaplaning, occurs when the tire's tread cannot keep up with the water running out from under it. At the point of contact of the wheel with the ground, a wedge of high hydrodynamic pressure forms, along which the car begins to float like a pillow, losing contact with the ground.

How to drive safely through puddles?

First of all, it's allowed! The lower the speed when driving through puddles, the less splashing water and less likely to get moisture where it should not go. Removing your foot from the gas pedal also increases safety - if you drive slowly on a wet road, little force is applied to the wheels, and this helps maintain adhesion... There is a risk of driving too dynamically through puddles. a fine of PLN 200... Police officers may qualify such an offense as "using a vehicle in a manner that endangers the safety of a person inside or outside the vehicle."

If a puddle has formed on your car and a hole is hidden in it on the road, you can claim compensation from the road administrator. However, this is not easy as it involves a legal proceeding in which you will need to prove that the pit cannot be avoided and that you were driving in accordance with the rules.

Was the innocent looking hole Marian Trench? On the website avtotachki.com you can find auto parts to repair any malfunction.

You can read more about the automotive industry in our blog:

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Storm driving - learn how to survive it safely

Be careful, it will be slippery! Check the brakes in your car!

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