What is the general wading depth of the Bora?
2 Answers
The wading depth of the Bora is 350mm. The wading depth of the Bora is determined by the height of the vehicle's chassis, which is the ground clearance listed in the model's parameter configuration table. Generally, the greater the ground clearance, the higher the chassis, and the higher the safety factor when driving through waterlogged roads. Therefore, in terms of safe wading depth, off-road vehicles and SUVs have obvious advantages. However, for most compact and small cars with low chassis, the position of the vehicle's air intake should be used as a benchmark when driving through waterlogged roads. If the air intake of the Bora is below the water level during wading, water will be sucked into the engine's cylinders. Since water cannot be compressed like air, it can cause severe damage to the engine's mechanical components (such as connecting rods, pistons, crankshafts, etc.). Therefore, the wading depth should not exceed the height of the engine's air intake. The height of the engine's air intake, and thus the maximum wading depth, can be increased by installing a snorkel. If wading is unavoidable, the following safe and correct operations should be performed: Before driving through water, always turn off the auto start-stop function to prevent the engine from automatically restarting if the vehicle stalls in the water, which could lead to severe engine damage due to water ingress. Assess the underwater road conditions based on the passage of vehicles ahead and choose an appropriate entry point. Observe the path taken by other vehicles and follow their tracks at a low speed, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration. On roads prone to water accumulation, use warning water level markers, trees, or the wheels and doors of other vehicles as reference points to estimate the water depth before deciding whether to proceed. Know your vehicle's safe wading depth. If the water depth exceeds half the height of the tires or the engine's air intake, do not proceed and choose an alternative route instead.
As a white-collar worker who frequently drives a Bora to commute, I think the Bora's wading depth is generally around 300 millimeters, which is about half the height of the wheels. Exceeding this depth can be very dangerous, as water may rush into the engine intake system, causing the engine to ingest water and stall. Once, I drove through a deep puddle too fast on a rainy day, and the car stalled—repairing it was quite expensive. So, when encountering standing water, it's best to drive slowly. If the water is deep, measure it with a ruler or take a detour. The Bora's chassis design is fairly standard, and its wading capability isn't particularly strong, but keeping it within 300mm shouldn't cause major issues. Remember that water that's too deep can also affect the electrical system and blow fuses. Safety comes first when driving—don't take risks with your car, especially since repair costs can be high.
