Is It Advisable to Stop While Driving Through Water?
2 Answers
It is generally not recommended to stop while driving through water. When navigating through flooded areas, it's best to maintain a steady speed without stopping or shifting gears, or to proceed slowly in a low gear. Reasons to avoid stopping: Stopping and shifting gears in water can lead to engine stalling. A stalled engine would require a restart, and if the water is relatively deep, this could allow water to enter the air intake, causing severe engine damage. The purpose of avoiding gear shifts while moving is to prevent engine stalling or to minimize the likelihood of stalling, thereby protecting the engine from harm. Tips for driving through water: Most vehicles stall in water due to water entering the air intake. If multiple vehicles need to cross the same waterlogged area, it's advisable to wait until the preceding vehicle has successfully crossed before proceeding. This prevents a situation where a stalled vehicle forces others to stop as well, leading to a dilemma. The primary concern is stalling in water, as this can cause irreversible damage to the vehicle.
A friend of mine who has been driving for over a decade told me that you must never stop your car while driving through water. I remember during a heavy rainstorm last time, I encountered a flooded section on the road. I thought about stopping to check the depth, but water suddenly rushed into the exhaust pipe, causing the car to stall. The engine got flooded, and the repairs were extremely expensive. Stopping in water is very risky—water can flow back into the engine compartment through the exhaust pipe, suffocating the engine, and may also short-circuit the electrical system, leaving the car completely paralyzed. If you must drive through water, it's best to maintain a steady speed—slow but never stop—and estimate the water depth not to exceed the center height of the wheel hub. In such situations, I recommend taking a detour in advance or waiting for the water to recede. Safety first—don’t end up like me, spending thousands on repairs.
