What is the wading depth of Tesla Model 3?
2 Answers
Tesla's maximum safe wading depth is approximately 138mm, which just submerges the underbody battery. According to the "Safety Requirements for Power Batteries of Electric Vehicles" regulations on power battery waterproof performance testing, new energy vehicles can be almost entirely submerged in water for 30 minutes without any issues with the battery. There are three scenarios for waterlogged vehicles: water level above the exhaust pipe but below half-wheel height, water level exactly at half-wheel height, and water level above half-wheel height. Generally, water reaching half-wheel height will affect the vehicle. Below is a detailed introduction: 1. Water level above the exhaust pipe: If the water only covers the exhaust pipe, driving the car away promptly is sufficient. Water in the exhaust pipe will not be sucked back into the engine, and engine stalling is mainly due to water entering the engine intake system, unrelated to the exhaust pipe being submerged. 2. Water level exactly at half-wheel height: Under normal circumstances, the car will not leak; however, if submerged for an extended period and the sealing strips are aged, the car may leak. In such cases, drive the car to a 4S shop, dismantle the interior, clean, and dry it. 3. Water level above half-wheel height: If the water exceeds half-wheel height, the engine may take in water, and the interior may leak. Do not start the engine under any circumstances to avoid damage to the engine or electronic components. Additionally, if the car is waterlogged and ignition causes damage, insurance companies will not cover the costs.
Regarding the wading depth of the Tesla Model 3, I personally think it's quite important, as wading through water is no trivial matter. Tesla hasn't provided an official specific number, and the manual clearly states to avoid flooding as much as possible because it's an electric sedan, not an off-road vehicle. There's a high-voltage battery pack under the chassis, and deep wading could lead to short circuits or water leakage, with repairs being extremely costly. I've driven many cars, and generally, sedans have a wading depth of around 300 to 400mm, about half the wheel height, but it becomes dangerous if the water reaches the wheel's center point. When wading, slow down and drive carefully, avoid accelerating to splash water, and if water does get in, stop immediately to check, then have a professional inspect the seals and battery status. Safety first—when encountering heavy rain and water accumulation, it's safer to detour rather than gamble on luck.
