What is the wading depth of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV?
2 Answers
The maximum wading depth of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is 125mm. The wading depth of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is determined by the height of the vehicle chassis, which is the ground clearance listed in the model's parameter configuration table. Generally speaking, 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, 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 ruler when passing through waterlogged roads. If the air intake of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is below the water level when wading, water will be sucked into the engine cylinders. Since water cannot be compressed like air, it will cause severe damage to the engine's mechanical components (connecting rods, pistons, crankshaft, etc.). Therefore, the wading depth must 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 the vehicle enters the water, the auto start-stop function must be turned off to prevent the vehicle from automatically restarting after stalling in the water, which could cause severe engine damage due to water ingress. 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 reference points such as the wheels and doors of other vehicles to judge the water depth before deciding whether to proceed. Know your vehicle's safe wading depth. If the water depth exceeds half of the tire height or the engine air intake, do not enter the water recklessly; choose an alternative route instead.
I've driven the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV for a while. This electric mini car doesn't have official exact wading depth data, but based on experience, it can safely pass through normal rainy day road water depths of about 15-20 cm, which is roughly half the tire height. Don't exceed this depth, otherwise water might enter the doors or affect battery sealing. The electric motor and battery case protection is quite good, slightly better than gasoline cars, but don't try deep water like off-road vehicles do. Once when I went out during heavy rain, small puddles were fine, but I quickly detoured around deeper accumulated water to avoid soaking the interior, which would be troublesome to repair. Regularly check underbody rust protection and control speed during rain for safety.
