Can the Chery Ant cross water on rainy days?
2 Answers
The extent to which the Chery Ant can cross water depends on its wading depth. The maximum wading depth of the Chery Ant is approximately 135mm. The wading depth of the Chery Ant is determined by the height of the vehicle's chassis, which is the ground clearance listed in the model's parameter configuration table. Generally, the greater the ground clearance, the higher the chassis, and the higher the safety factor when passing through waterlogged roads. Therefore, in terms of safe wading depth, off-road vehicles and SUVs have obvious advantages. However, for most compact and small cars with low chassis, the position of the vehicle's air intake should be used as a benchmark when passing through waterlogged roads. If the air intake of the Chery Ant is below the water level while wading, water will be sucked into the engine's cylinders. Since water cannot be compressed like air, it will cause severe damage to the engine's mechanical components (such as connecting rods, pistons, crankshafts, etc.). Therefore, the wading depth must not exceed the height of the engine's air intake. The height of the air intake, and thus the maximum wading depth, can be increased by installing a snorkel. If wading is unavoidable, the following safe and correct operations should be performed: Before the vehicle enters the water, the auto start-stop function must be turned off to prevent the engine from automatically restarting if the vehicle stalls in the water, which could cause serious damage due to water entering the engine. Assess the underwater road conditions based on the passage of vehicles ahead and choose an appropriate entry point. Follow the path taken by other vehicles and drive slowly, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration. On roads prone to water accumulation, observe warning water level markers, trees, and other vehicles' wheels and doors as reference points to judge the water depth before deciding whether to proceed. Know your vehicle's safe wading depth. If the water depth exceeds half the tire height or the engine's air intake, do not enter the water recklessly; choose an alternative route instead.
The Chery Ant, a compact electric vehicle, can handle driving through water in rainy conditions, but the water depth must be carefully controlled. I usually drive this car to commute and have encountered waterlogged roads during rain. Its wading depth is typically around 10-15 cm, which is about one-third of the tire height. The undercarriage of an electric vehicle houses the battery and motor, and the sealing is relatively good—theoretically, it's more water-resistant than a gasoline car since there's no risk of water entering the exhaust pipe. However, roads are slippery in the rain, so it's important to drive slowly and steadily through water, avoiding sudden acceleration that could splash water. Deeper water may lead to cabin flooding or electrical short circuits, and repairs can be costly if a malfunction occurs. Before driving in the rain, it's advisable to check the vehicle manual for specific wading parameters—avoid taking risks if the water exceeds knee height. After wading, it's best to stop and inspect the undercarriage and brakes to ensure safety. Remember, visibility is poor in the rain, so safety comes first—don't rush through deep water just to save time.
