What to Pay Attention to When Driving in Deep Water
3 Answers
Precautions for driving in deep water are as follows: 1. Proceed slowly in flooded areas: When encountering a flooded section, the driver should slow down, observe the road conditions ahead, and then decide whether to continue. Choosing to proceed recklessly is definitely a rash move. Generally, sedans can slowly pass through urban roads with 15-20 cm deep water without issues. The key is to avoid driving too fast and minimize splashing. It is best to use first gear (or D1 for automatic transmissions) while maintaining slight throttle. If the water level exceeds half the height of the wheels, it is advisable not to proceed further. Special attention should be paid: if the vehicle is already stuck in water and stalls, do not attempt to restart the engine. 2. Avoid accelerating to overtake: When driving in rain, always pay attention to the speed and direction of the vehicle ahead. Never accelerate to overtake just because the vehicle in front is moving slowly. Especially on highways, where speeds are relatively high, drivers' field of vision narrows, and the road surface is slippery. Forcing a lane change to overtake can easily cause the wheels to lose traction with even slight steering input, leading to collisions with other vehicles or even rollover accidents.
I've been driving for over a decade, and accumulated water is my biggest fear during rainy days. Here are some tips from my experience: First, always assess water depth in advance - never force your way through if the water level exceeds half of your wheel height. I usually wait for the car ahead to pass and observe the wave height before deciding whether to detour or proceed slowly. Secondly, turn off auto start-stop before entering water, otherwise if the engine stalls mid-way, the automatic restart could completely ruin your engine. Drive steadily in first gear - don't speed up as splashing water increases the risk of intake. Keep your steering stable and avoid sudden turns. If the engine does stall, immediately turn off the ignition without attempting to restart. Finally, remember to lightly pump your brakes after exiting the water to remove moisture from the brake pads - last year my colleague nearly rear-ended someone because he skipped this step.
Once during a heavy rainstorm while driving back to my hometown, I encountered a flooded section and handled it this way: First, roll down the windows so you can escape quickly if water enters the cabin. When slowly driving into the flooded area, use second gear to maintain a steady speed of around 2000 RPM, and avoid jerking the steering wheel. Pay special attention to the waves caused by oncoming vehicles, as they can be more dangerous than the standing water itself. Also, remember to place your phone and wallet in a high spot – a friend of mine once had his documents soaked when water got into his car. If the water depth exceeds 30 centimeters, it's better not to take the risk. If you must proceed, turn on your hazard lights to alert vehicles behind you. After passing through, remember to check the air filter; if you find any water marks, head to the repair shop immediately.
