What is the correct way to follow a car into a flooded road section?
3 Answers
You should increase the distance from the vehicle in front and follow cautiously at a slow speed. Here are the precautions for driving through flooded road sections: 1. Observe the water flow: Pay attention to the depth of the water. Watch other vehicles driving through the water to assess whether your vehicle can pass safely based on the water level and vehicle position. 2. Check the road conditions: Use the path of previous vehicles to determine shallow areas and avoid potholes. If there are no vehicles ahead, you must get out and test the depth yourself before proceeding. 3. Driving through water: Always drive at a low speed. For manual transmission vehicles, use second or third gear depending on the water depth. In deep water with heavy traffic, use first gear. 4. Avoid pressing the accelerator hard: Accelerating is the least advisable action. Many drivers worry about stalling and press the accelerator hard to speed through, which often causes more problems.
I've driven through flooded roads several times, and the basic technique is to follow the path of the vehicle in front at a slow speed. Maintaining sufficient distance is crucial—if the car ahead brakes suddenly, you'll have enough buffer space to avoid a rear-end collision. In waterlogged sections, it's best to keep your speed under 20 km/h and maintain a steady throttle throughout the passage. Never shift gears or stop midway, as this can easily cause the engine to stall. Turn off the auto start-stop function—it's particularly prone to issues in flooded areas. If the water depth seems high enough to submerge the exhaust pipe, the safest option is to turn around and find an alternate route. After passing through water, lightly tap the brakes to dry them off, as wet brake pads won't provide effective stopping power on the first press. Forget about showing off your driving skills in such conditions—getting through safely is the real test of ability.
For first-timers crossing flooded roads, panic is common but remember three key points. First, follow the tracks of the vehicle ahead - the path cleared by their tires offers least resistance. Second, maintain steady steering and drive at constant speed, applying throttle pressure as if stepping on an egg. Third, always check water depth beforehand; if it reaches halfway up the tires, abort the attempt. Remember to activate wipers to track the taillight movements of preceding cars - sudden deceleration with hazard lights usually indicates potholes or deep water. Turn off AC recirculation during crossing to prevent engine water ingestion. After passing, avoid sudden acceleration; let accumulated water drain from undercarriage first.
