Can the Chery Ant Submerge in Rainy Days?
4 Answers
The extent to which the Chery Ant can submerge 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 during 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 should not exceed the height of the engine's air intake. The height of the engine's air intake, and thus the maximum wading depth, can also 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, always turn off the automatic start-stop function to prevent the engine from restarting automatically after stalling in the water, which could cause severe damage due to water intake; Judge the underwater road conditions based on the passage of preceding vehicles and choose an appropriate entry point. Observe the path taken by other vehicles and follow their tracks at low speed, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration; On roads prone to waterlogging, observe warning water level markers, trees, and reference points like the wheels and doors of other vehicles to estimate the water depth before deciding whether to proceed; Know your vehicle's safe wading depth. If the water depth exceeds half of the tire height or the engine's air intake, do not enter the water recklessly; choose an alternative route instead.
I'm an electric vehicle repair technician and have handled many water-related cases. The Chery Ant can wade through water on rainy days, but extra caution is needed due to its low ground clearance of about 12 cm. As a compact EV, its battery is IP67 waterproof, meaning it can withstand temporary immersion without water ingress. However, deep rainwater poses significant risks. It's advised not to exceed the wheel hub center height—avoid puddles deeper than roughly 15 cm. Always traverse slowly to prevent splashing water into the motor control unit from sudden acceleration. If deep water causes a short circuit, repairs become complicated and may impact battery lifespan. Routinely avoid deep puddles and inspect the undercarriage for residual water after rain. Generally, light urban rain is manageable, but remain vigilant.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I believe wading through water is no trivial matter. The Chery eQ1 can be driven in the rain, but don't treat it like an off-road vehicle and recklessly plow through deep water. Its ground clearance isn't high, and while the battery is waterproof, high water pressure could still cause leakage. I recommend avoiding water deeper than a quarter of the tire height, as water entering the chassis could easily short-circuit the wiring or cause rust on components. Safe operation in rainy conditions means avoiding large puddles, slowing down, and driving cautiously. After driving through water, listen for unusual sounds and check the dashboard for warning lights. Get timely maintenance checks at the shop to prevent minor issues from becoming major ones. After all, heavy rain can obscure the road—safety should always come first, so don't take unnecessary risks.
I've driven a Chery Ant for several years and often encountered water accumulation on rainy days. It handles light rain and shallow puddles without issues, but deep pits should be avoided. Once I passed through a shallow puddle about half the tire height without problems, but for deeper ones, I detour. The wading depth shouldn't exceed the wheel hub centerline to prevent potential chassis water damage. After driving through water, shake off excess water and drive a few extra kilometers to dry it out. With its low ground clearance, this small car isn't suited for risky maneuvers, but it's perfectly adequate for urban rainy conditions.
