How Deep of Water Can a Tesla Drive Through?
2 Answers
Tesla's safe wading depth is below the centerline of the wheel rims. Here are the relevant details about the Tesla Model 3: Exterior: The overall exterior design follows the style of the previous model, with blackened elements such as the side turn signal covers, lower mirror trim, door handles, and window trim. Features: Added configurations include double-layered glass, an electric tailgate, wireless phone charging, two high-power Type-C ports, and a fifth USB port in the glovebox for USB storage dedicated to Sentry Mode and dashcam recordings.
I've been driving a Tesla Model 3 for two years and often get asked about wading depth. Actually, Teslas aren't like off-road vehicles that can handle deep water. The water depth shouldn't exceed one-third of the tire height, roughly 15-20 cm. Once I drove through a small puddle during heavy rain where the water only reached halfway up the wheel hub, and the car passed through smoothly. But if the water gets deeper, the electric vehicle's battery located under the chassis could short-circuit if submerged, costing tens of thousands to repair. For daily driving, I use mobile navigation to avoid flood zones and drive at low speeds during the rainy season. A friend's electric car got water damage and took a month to repair after insurance claims - a painful lesson. Overall, staying within safe wading limits can handle rainy conditions, but don't push the limits.
