What Are the Consequences of a Car Stalling in Water?
1 Answers
Stalling without restarting has no impact, but attempting to restart in water can damage the engine. Once a vehicle stalls in water, it is crucial not to attempt restarting, as it's impossible to determine the exact cause of stalling during heavy rain or while wading. The safest approach is to avoid trying to restart the engine. Tips for driving through water: 1. Water level at 50% of tire height: If water exceeds 50% of the tire height, engage four-wheel drive; for deep water, use low-range four-wheel drive. Without four-wheel drive, it's advisable not to take the risk. 2. Gear selection: Use 1st or 2nd gear for manual transmissions; for automatic transmissions, force a lower gear by shifting to the 1 or 2 position at the bottom of the D range. 3. Pathfinding: Always probe the path when crossing deep water. Carry a long stick (over 1 meter) and sweep it sideways while moving forward to detect large rocks or deep holes underwater. 4. Avoid fast-flowing water: Never attempt to cross rapidly flowing water (test by throwing a paper ball from the shore and timing its movement to estimate speed; over 2m/s is dangerous). 5. Driving too fast through water creates a surge, similar to water entering your nose while swimming. Most vehicles have air intakes level with the hood; a surge can cause water ingestion, directly damaging the engine and leading to stalling.
