What is the maximum wading depth of the Avalon?
2 Answers
The maximum wading depth of the Avalon is 250mm. The wading depth of the Avalon 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, SUVs and off-road vehicles 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 reference when passing through waterlogged roads. If the air intake of the Avalon 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 must not exceed the height of the engine's air intake. Installing a snorkel can increase the height of the engine's air intake, thereby improving the maximum wading depth. 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 after stalling in water, which could cause severe damage due to water ingestion. 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 low speed, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration. On roads prone to flooding, use warning water level markers, trees, or the wheels and doors of other vehicles as references to estimate 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 seasoned driver with six years of experience behind the wheel of an Avalon, I pay close attention to vehicle data. While the official maximum wading depth hasn't been explicitly stated, based on my observations over the years, the limit for regular sedans is typically about half the tire height. The Avalon's ground clearance is slightly higher than the Corolla's, but when encountering waterlogged roads during rain, I always detour if the water level exceeds the wheel hub centerline (approximately 20-25 cm). Once during a heavy rainstorm, I attempted to cross a 15 cm deep water accumulation. Although the car didn't stall, I distinctly felt the wheels slipping. A crucial reminder: never rush through flooded sections—maintaining a slow, steady speed is paramount, as waves could otherwise flood the air intake. Forcing your way through deep water that leads to stalling could result in engine overhauls starting at 20,000-30,000 RMB—a cost that far outweighs any benefit.
