Upon entering the city limits the main road passes underneath a bridge. And I got myself caught in the trafic with no way to reverse. Unde that passage the water height was around 15 cm height (just passing the curb) and everybody was driving very slow. In front of of me there was a BMW 3 series. I passed through without an issue, so far no problems and at home I saw that the radiator was wet on its lower 1/3rd. I guess water may have entered just above the spoiler lip (there is the black "comb" part) - sorry but English is not my native language so I don't know exactly how to name some terms/parts!

I guess all is good, it was under 15 seconds, but for argument's sake, if water reached the undercarriage of the car can the DSG develop some damage in time? I know it's only guessing but it's my first drive through such a flooder road - I was stuck in traffic with heavy raining and I couldn't turn to take another way and in 10-15 min all was flooded!

Anything can develop issues from wading through water, especially if hot prior to doing so.

Brakes, Catalytic converter, then alternator, wiring loom, connectors.

But as far as a gearbox or a DSG it is not much different from driving very wet roads and getting soaked over many miles.

People think they could take a Land Rover or other offroad vehicles and wade deep water if a snorkel fitted to stop the water going through the air intake / air filter.

Actually they needed Wading Plugs put in the Gearbox, Axle breathers fitted because putting these under water was a pretty good way of it getting drawn into them.

Thanks, I only hope that (1) water was not that high, especially as all cars drove through that and none of them, as far as I could tell, had any immediate issues, The same as on the other side. Maybe I'm over cautious, and sorry for that silly question...

If you're not sure of something, then it's not a silly question.

Thanks, it may be silly from a point of view of somebody who is (a lot more) technical.

And it’s the first time that this city is this underwater.

So, in principle, if all is good and car drove without any issue after this, it all should be ok. As far as have seen, water was just up the lower lip of the front bumper.

Thanks!

If it's all still working fine today, you'll be alright. These forums exist for questions like that!

Most of the less-waterproofed electronics are nice and high in the engine bay, along with the intake - lower lip of the bumper is fine. At that level I doubt you were even up to the exhaust, and remember most of the stuff lower down is designed to be waterproof with you hitting puddles with a lot more force at 60mph.

The only real damage you can do in your situation would be to get water onto a hot turbo or hot brakes - that can cause some issues.

Next time you wash the car, I'd suggest just doing the underside too - there might have been oil, fuel or whatever in the water, and it would be nice to take that off. I do the same thing in winter if there has been salt on the roads.

I remember the first time I drove through a similar level of water a few years ago in my Leon - I was so worried I even went back to check where the water came up to!

I wouldn't make a habit of going into water, as it's always better not to, but occasionally and to the level you did - you'll be absolutely fine.

On 09/06/2025 at 16:05, SwatKat said:

Unde that passage the water height was around 15 cm height (just passing the curb) and everybody was driving very slow.

15cm water is well within operating limits, according to the MK3 Octavia manual.

Just drive slowly.

38 minutes ago, EnterName said:

15cm water is well within operating limits, according to the MK3 Octavia manual.

Just drive slowly.

And watch out for bow waves from idiots driving too fast through the water causing a much deeper surge.