How to Drive an Automatic Transmission Car Through Water?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars share the same key points as manual transmission cars when wading through water deeper than the exhaust pipe. Here are the relevant precautions: 1. Pay attention to visibility: Stop if visibility is poor. Driving in heavy rain with poor visibility is the biggest hazard. Even with the wipers moving at high speed, they cannot clear the rainwater on the windshield, making it impossible to see ahead. In this case, it is best to pull over and stop immediately, while turning on the hazard lights. 2. Prevent water from entering the exhaust pipe: When passing through waterlogged sections, observe the driving conditions of other vehicles to ensure avoiding deep pits, hidden traps, and other obstacles. When the water level submerges the exhaust pipe, it is also necessary to prevent water from entering the exhaust pipe. Before entering the water, shift to a low gear, maintain a steady throttle, and drive straight through at a constant speed.
The most crucial thing with an automatic transmission in water is to keep steady pressure on the accelerator without lifting your foot. With twenty years of driving experience, I often navigate flooded sections during the rainy season. First, assess the water depth—sedans shouldn't exceed half the tire height, and SUVs shouldn't go beyond the door sill level. Remember to turn off auto start-stop, use D gear or manually lock into 1st gear, maintaining around 2000 RPM for exhaust pressure. Keep the steering wheel straight without changing lanes, controlling speed under 10 km/h. If the engine stalls, never attempt to restart it—immediately shift to P and call for roadside assistance. The riskiest moment is when the car surges like a boat pushing through waves; focus on a fixed point ahead to stay calm. After crossing, lightly pump the brakes to dry them and turn on the AC defogger to prevent windshield blurring.
