How to Drive Through Deep Water in a Car?
1 Answers
"When driving through deep water, you should first assess the water depth. Upon entering a waterlogged road, it's often difficult to gauge the depth due to the murky water, especially on uneven surfaces. The safest approach is to park your car in a secure spot and observe how other vehicles navigate the water. If vehicles of similar height can pass, it's generally safe to proceed. If no similar vehicles are present, use a stick to measure the water depth. The vehicle's manual will specify safe and dangerous water levels, indicating the maximum depth your car can handle. When water reaches half the wheel height, the car's chassis might be submerged, and the exhaust pipe could be in contact with water. Poorly sealed components may leak, requiring reapplication of lubricant or rust removal. For most passenger cars, water up to one-third of the wheel height is relatively safe. At two-thirds wheel height, the battery may get flooded, and if the car moves too quickly, water could enter the intake, potentially causing severe engine damage. Key considerations when wading through water: For vehicles with auto start-stop, manually disable the feature to prevent the engine from restarting if it stalls underwater, which could lead to major engine repairs. Drive slowly in low gear without stopping, accelerating gently, avoiding sharp steering or gear changes. Never attempt to restart the engine if it stalls due to water ingress, as this can destroy the engine—exit the vehicle and await assistance. Avoid driving side by side with other cars through flooded areas to prevent water splashed by adjacent vehicles from entering your intake. After crossing, perform several light brake applications to dry the brake discs and pads through friction-generated heat."
