What is the wading depth of the Lavida Plus?
2 Answers
The wading depth of the Lavida Plus is 300mm. The wading depth of the Lavida Plus 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, the advantages of off-road vehicles and SUVs are obvious. 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 Lavida Plus 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 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 due to water ingestion. 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. On roads prone to water accumulation, observe warning water level markers, trees, and other reference points such as the wheels and doors of other vehicles to estimate the water depth before deciding whether to proceed. Understand 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 recklessly and consider alternative routes.
The official specifications for the Lavida Plus do not provide a specific wading depth, but based on experience, it is generally safe at around 30 to 40 centimeters. As a frequent driver, I believe this depth is not fixed and depends on the vehicle's ground clearance and the position of the air intake. If the water is too deep, it can easily enter the engine compartment, causing stalling or more severe water damage. I recommend not exceeding 25 centimeters when actually wading through water, and it's best to pass through slowly and steadily to avoid splashing waves impacting components. During rainy days, check the water level in advance and take a detour if it's too deep—don't take the risk. Regularly inspect the sealing of the chassis to prevent water accumulation from corroding parts. After wading, immediately check the underside of the car and clean off any mud to protect the vehicle's lifespan—after all, engine repairs aren't cheap.
