What Level of Wind Can a Sedan Withstand?
2 Answers
Sedans can withstand winds below level 6. Here are some relevant precautions for driving in windy conditions: Pay attention to pedestrians' directions: When driving on windy days, you must maintain a high level of concentration. During strong winds, some pedestrians may cover their faces with scarves or wear sunglasses, which can limit their field of vision; others may speed up and run around, often focusing only on walking and not on motor vehicles. Drivers must pay close attention to avoid causing traffic accidents. Use the air conditioning properly: On windy days, never use the external air circulation mode. This is because strong winds can carry dust and debris into the car through the air conditioning system if the external circulation is on, polluting the interior environment. Moreover, such dust is very difficult to clean once it enters the car.
Driving a sedan in strong winds can be quite challenging. I often drive on highways, and even with a level 7 wind, I can feel slight body sway. When it reaches level 8 with wind speeds exceeding 20 meters per second, the steering wheel requires noticeably more effort to control, especially on bridges or open stretches. In my opinion, family sedans can handle up to level 8 winds at most—beyond that, it's best not to push it. During a typhoon last year, I saw a compact car swaying violently in level 9 winds, and the owner later said they couldn’t even open the doors. The key factors are vehicle weight and chassis—my midsize sedan with wide tires feels much more stable than my neighbor’s microcar. In high winds, it’s best to slow down below 60 km/h, close windows tightly, and avoid driving near container trucks.
