Is It Possible to Reverse in Flooded Conditions?
2 Answers
Is It Possible to Reverse in Flooded Conditions? The specific details are as follows: 1. Control the speed: Since there is gas in the exhaust pipe, under normal pressure (water depth of about half a meter), water will not flow backward. Therefore, the key to deep wading is to control the speed to avoid waves splashing into the engine compartment. Additionally, the radiator fan should be temporarily turned off before wading to prevent dirty water splashing into the engine compartment from damaging the electrical system. After exiting the wading area, the brake pedal should be lightly pressed repeatedly to remove residual water from the brakes and restore braking performance. 2. Extended information: The maximum wading depth for general passenger cars is 40 cm. Professor Liu personally drove a Touran into a 60 cm deep water area, controlling the speed at about 1 km/h. Under normal circumstances, the speed should be controlled within 10 km/h. Soon, the water level had surpassed the lower edge of the front grille and most of the wheels, but the Touran still moved steadily in the water. At the deepest point in the center of the pool, Professor Liu intentionally turned off the Touran's engine, waited for a moment, and then restarted it. The engine and ignition system worked perfectly fine; even when revving the engine hard and then releasing the throttle, the engine remained stable with no signs of water flowing backward.
I've been driving for years, and reversing in puddles is quite dangerous. If the water is too deep, it can enter the exhaust pipe or air intake, and while damaging the car is a minor issue, safety is more important. When reversing, visibility is poor, making it easy to skid or hit submerged objects like rocks or branches. If the electrical circuit shorts out, the lights might all go out, making it impossible to see at night. Once, I saw a neighbor stubbornly reverse and ended up with water in the engine, stalling the car in the middle of the road, requiring a tow truck and a lot of hassle. So, I believe when encountering deep water, don't recklessly reverse—it's better to detour or wait. If you must reverse, first confirm the water depth is no more than half the tire height and move slowly with gentle throttle. Safety is priceless; don't take risks while driving. Saving a bit on repair costs isn't worth the trouble.
