Should You Drive Slow or Fast Through Waterlogged Roads?

[VanCody]

When driving through waterlogged areas, vehicles should maintain a low speed. However, this doesn't mean crawling at a snail's pace—sufficient power must be maintained to move steadily. Otherwise, while the engine might avoid water intake, the exhaust pipe could flood first. Therefore, when facing waterlogged sections, adjust your approach flexibly based on the water depth rather than rigidly adhering to theoretical rules. Key considerations regarding speed in waterlogged areas are as follows: 1. Driving too fast may cause stalling: Entering a waterlogged area stirs up water and mud, creating wave-like movements. If the speed is too high, water can splash onto pedestrians or adjacent vehicles, severely obstructing visibility and compromising driving safety. 2. Driving too slowly may lead to exhaust pipe backflow: Although the exhaust pipe has some thrust to resist water entry when submerged, if the speed is excessively slow and the water is deep, the exhaust's thrust may not be enough to prevent backflow. Thus, while driving slowly is recommended in waterlogged areas, the speed should not be too slow.

[DiLane]

Every time I drive through waterlogged roads after rain, I remember that one time I drove too fast and almost had an accident. The conditions under the water are complex—there could be potholes or debris, and at high speeds, the steering wheel can easily lose control. Moreover, speeding causes water to splash onto your windshield, instantly blocking your vision, not to mention the risk of splashing pedestrians nearby, which would definitely earn you some curses. I recommend slowing down to below 30 km/h and maintaining a steady speed, keeping a safe distance from the car in front in case it suddenly brakes hard. After passing through the water, remember to lightly tap the brakes a few times to dry the brake discs and prevent brake failure next time.

[ChloeMarie]

After driving for so many years, what I fear the most is waterlogged roads. Just think about it, when the tires come into contact with water, the friction decreases. If you drive too fast, the braking distance can extend by several meters, making it impossible to stop in time. Moreover, high speeds can easily force water into the engine's air intake, and once the engine stalls, restarting it could ruin the engine. Whenever I encounter waterlogged roads, I start slowing down 200 meters in advance. For manual transmission cars, I shift to second gear and coast through slowly, keeping the engine RPM stable to avoid stalling. Don’t follow the example of those SUVs charging through at high speeds—even with higher ground clearance, excessive splashing is dangerous. Safety first in rainy conditions is always the right approach.

[JasperDella]

Flooded sections truly test your patience. Once I rushed through too fast and ended up with a tire blown by hidden rocks underwater. It's advisable to first observe the path and depth of vehicles ahead. For unfamiliar stretches, it's best to step out and probe the water depth with a branch. If the water exceeds half the wheel height, don't force your way through as it risks water entering the exhaust pipe and stalling the engine. If you must cross, engage low gear and maintain steady speed, remembering to turn off auto start-stop to prevent engine damage from automatic restarts after stalling. Also, always keep a window breaker in the trunk for self-rescue if trapped.

[VanJuliet]

Last night while driving my child to tutoring, I encountered a flooded section of road. A novice driver sped past me, creating a wall of water that completely obscured my vision. Speeding through flooded areas is practically road hazard - not only is it dangerous for the driver, but following vehicles may rear-end due to obscured visibility. The correct approach is to turn on front and rear fog lights to alert oncoming traffic, keep the steering wheel steady, and apply gentle, even throttle. Special reminder to NEV owners: since battery packs are located in the undercarriage, rushing through floodwater may cause short circuits or fires - it's safest to just slow down and proceed carefully.