Hi all, I'm in southern California, and we're have having one of those unusual flooding downpours.

I was driving my CR-V home on Saturday by way of Interstate 15 and CA 138, and 138 had a few flooded sections. There wasn't anything too deep, i think the worst of it was about 6-7 inches, well within my CR-V's ground clearance, and I followed smaller cars (a very old Camry, and a fairly new Civic) through the deepest parts, and they didn't have any immediate trouble.

My owner's manual warns about transmission/differential oil, as well as wheel bearing grease ,becoming contaminated by water intrusion if I drive through deep water, and this is the deepest I've ever driven through.

How worried do I need to be about it? My car has 178k, and I want it to last. Should I be thinking about changing fluids and/or grease, or does anyone have experience driving through water and think it's ok?

The car is a completely stock first gen, auto/awd. The transmission does not have more fluid in it that it did before, and the shifting feels the same as usual. I am also not hearing any noise from the rear end.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

hey Lochinvar would you by any chance live in the phelan or lake la area, I used to drive the 138 and 15 into Ont since 92, had a 85 Nissan plus cab, and an 02 civic. put 280k on the Nissan and 280k on the 02 civic. never had any wheel bearing or trans problems on either car. a few times the civic almost floated over the water in the dips to lake la. also snow on the top by mountain high café. but no problems with extreme cold and hot. also drove a 07 fit 200k+ and no problems with wheel bearings or trans, I still have the fit at 290k. changed the cat ( expensive) and adjusted valves, but good driver. you should be good to go on your cr-v.

 

Thanks, that's good to see. I live in Crestline, by Lake Gregory. I actually have snow at home right now, and I'm so glad I have the AWD.

It's usually faster for me to get places by going down 18 into San Bernardino, but I like going the back way in because there's less traffic on 15 than on 215, and fewer idiot tourist drivers on 138 then 18.

It's good to see you haven't had any problems with water. I'll be less worried is the future.

Thanks!