BMW's sedan models have a maximum wading depth of 250mm; SUV models (X3, X4, X5, X7) have a maximum wading depth of 500mm; the X6 SUV model has a maximum wading depth of 450mm; other SUV models have a maximum wading depth of 300mm. The wading depth of BMW vehicles is determined by the height of the vehicle 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 passing through waterlogged roads. Therefore, in terms of safe wading depth, off-road vehicles and SUVs have obvious advantages. However, for most compact and small vehicles 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 is below the water level when wading, water will be sucked into the engine 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 air intake. The height of the engine air intake, and thus the maximum wading depth, can also be increased by installing a snorkel. If wading is unavoidable, the following safe and correct operations should be performed: Before wading, always turn off the auto start-stop function to prevent the engine from automatically restarting after stalling in water, which could cause severe damage if water enters the engine. Assess the underwater road conditions based on the passage of preceding vehicles 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. For roads prone to water accumulation, observe warning water level markers, trees, or reference points such as the wheels and doors of other vehicles to estimate the water depth before deciding whether to proceed. Know your vehicle's safe wading depth. If the water depth exceeds half the tire height or the engine air intake, do not proceed recklessly; consider alternative routes.
