What to Do When Encountering Deep Water with Your Car
2 Answers
When encountering deep water, drive cautiously or avoid driving through it to prevent significant damage to your car. The specific details are as follows: First, slow down or stop to observe. If the water level reaches two-thirds of the bumper or tire height, driving through it poses certain risks. High speed increases the actual water depth the car passes through, potentially allowing water to enter the cabin from the engine compartment or chassis. Additionally, drivers should avoid driving against waves created by large vehicles. If the water level appears too high upon observation, it's best to detour rather than force your way through. Before deciding to drive through standing water, activate the windshield wipers in advance. While you may have a rough idea of the water depth from prior observation, the road conditions remain unclear. Once the car enters the water, large splashes may completely cover the windshield, obstructing the driver's already limited visibility. Turning on the wipers beforehand ensures relatively clear visibility, aiding in safely navigating through the water. Water may enter the engine cylinders through the intake or exhaust systems. Due to water's incompressibility, this can bend or deform the valve rods and piston cranks, with severe cases damaging the engine block. Water entering the car's electrical circuits, especially the onboard computer, can cause short circuits. While regular circuits might be manageable, if the onboard computer is damaged by water, replacement is often the only option. Since water pressure is much lower than the exhaust pressure of the cylinders, water generally won't flow back into the exhaust pipe as long as the engine doesn't stall. In 90% of cases, water enters the engine cylinders through the intake. When the water depth exceeds the exhaust pipe height, the driver must maintain throttle pressure to keep the exhaust pipe pressurized. Lack of experience in such situations can easily lead to engine stalling.
When encountering deep water, my first reaction is not to impulsively drive through. Water that's too deep can submerge the car's undercarriage, easily causing the engine to take in water and be ruined. If already in the water, drive slowly without stalling and gradually back out. If the engine stalls, absolutely do not attempt to restart it, or the consequences could be worse. After exiting, park in a safe spot, open the doors to drain water, and check the lights and engine. Always pay attention to weather forecasts and road conditions when driving to avoid low-lying areas. I remember one time during heavy rain, I almost drove into deep water but took a detour home instead, saving myself a lot of trouble. Developing good habits is most important—safety is far better than getting home a minute faster.
