Can You Open the Car Door When the Vehicle Submerges in Water?

[Jose]

It is not easy to open the car door, mainly because the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle is relatively large, and the water pressure is greater than the force required to push the door open. Precautions after a car submerges in water: Immediately unlock the central locking system to prevent malfunction. If you can open the door, quickly open it to escape. Stay calm: First, maintain a clear mind and stay calm, avoiding panic. If you are wearing a seatbelt, unbuckle it immediately. Observe the speed of water inflow: Take a deep breath and hold it before the water rises above you. Once the car is completely filled with water, the pressure equalizes, allowing you to quickly open the door and escape. It is crucial to take a deep breath when you have the last chance to breathe air. Break the window: The four corners of the window glass are the weakest points. Striking these corners can force the glass to break quickly. You can use a safety hammer or other sharp objects to shatter the glass and escape immediately. However, this method has a drawback: when the glass breaks, the water pressure may push the shattered glass into the car, potentially causing injuries.

[MaggieAnn]

I've thought about whether you can open the car door when it falls into water. Right after the car submerges, the water pressure outside is extremely high, making it nearly impossible to push the door open. But don't panic—wait until the car is almost completely filled with water, when the pressure inside and outside equalizes. Then, opening the door becomes much easier. The correct approach is to first unbuckle your seatbelt, avoid rushing to open the door, and conserve your energy. Once the water reaches your neck, take a deep breath and push the door open with force to escape. Don’t waste energy kicking the door frantically when water first enters. Windows are also an escape route—electric windows may still work briefly after submersion, but if not, break the corners. Keeping a safety hammer in your car is very useful and can save your life in critical moments.

[VonMaximus]

I've specifically watched car submersion test videos before. Whether the door can be opened depends on the stage: right after falling into water, the water pressure is too high, making it very difficult to forcefully open the door. But when the car is about 70-80% filled with water, the door can be pushed open easily. So it's recommended to stay calm and avoid panicking, unbuckle the seatbelt, and try to open or break the window. If the car hasn't fully sunk yet, you can climb out by opening the window halfway. Without tools, you can use high heels to hit the edge of the side window. Remember not to waste energy trying to push the door open before the car sinks; instead, use that time to call for help. If the seatbelt gets stuck, find something sharp to cut it—that's why safety hammers often come with blade designs.

[SanKylie]

Opening the car door when submerged in water depends on two scenarios: if the water depth does not exceed the height of the car door, you can open the door and escape immediately, as the water pressure won't be strong enough to hinder you. If the car is completely submerged, you must wait until the interior is filled with water before opening the door, which takes about 30 seconds to a minute. Use both arms to push the door open underwater—don't kick it. When the car first sinks, the electrical system may still function, making power windows more effective than doors. If there's no window breaker, use the steel rod from the headrest to pry open the window gap. During escape, your phone might fail, so carrying a waterproof flashlight is crucial. For water depths exceeding 2 meters, it's advisable to exit through the window, swim to the surface, and then call for help. Always keep a safety hammer within easy reach from the driver's seat.