What Level of Wind Can a Car Withstand?
3 Answers
Sedans can withstand winds below level 6. Here are some precautions for driving in strong winds: Pay attention to pedestrians' direction: When driving on windy days, you must stay highly focused. During strong winds, some pedestrians cover their faces with scarves or wear sunglasses, which limits their vision; others may run around hastily, often paying attention only to their path and not to motor vehicles. Drivers must remain extremely vigilant, otherwise, traffic accidents can easily occur. Use the air conditioning wisely: On windy days, never turn on the external circulation mode of the air conditioning. Because if the external circulation is activated during windy conditions, it will draw dust from outside into the car through the air conditioning system, polluting the interior environment. Moreover, this kind of dust is very difficult to clean once it enters the car.
A few days ago when I was driving through that windy area, my car was swaying left and right so much that I almost lost control of the steering wheel. There's actually no fixed wind resistance level for vehicles—it mainly depends on the car type: regular sedans can generally handle 7-level winds (wind speed 50-60 km/h) but start feeling unstable; at 8-9 level winds (60-80 km/h), heavier vehicles like SUVs fare slightly better, while lighter cars tend to drift or slide; during typhoons above level 10, any vehicle could be overturned, especially on viaducts or open areas. So when weather forecasts predict strong winds, I try to avoid driving or reduce speed, gripping the wheel firmly to maintain a straight path. It's also important to park in sheltered spots away from trees to prevent damage. From experience, the safety limit is within level 8 winds, but the key during daily driving is constantly adjusting speed—never risk saving a bit of time.
From a safety perspective, the wind resistance a car can withstand is not determined by wind levels alone, as factors like vehicle weight, shape, and wind direction come into play. For instance, in an 8th-level wind (approximately 62-74 km/h), a car may be pushed sideways with reduced handling; at 9th-level or stronger winds, rollover risks increase significantly, especially in mountainous or coastal areas. I've personally witnessed accidents where strong winds caused cars to lose control and crash into guardrails. Advice for windy conditions: reduce speed, use low beams for better visibility, and avoid bridges. For parking, choose leeward walls or garages. Long-term protection: regularly check tire pressure to maintain grip. Remember, if wind speeds exceed 70 km/h, don't force driving—safety outweighs everything, a principle everyone knows, so don't follow reckless examples and regret it after an accident.
