Which gear to use when driving a manual transmission car through water?
2 Answers
Manual transmission cars should use 2nd gear when driving through water. Below are relevant tips for driving through water: 1. When crossing shallow water: Do not ease off the throttle, maintain a lower speed to prevent water from surging into the front. If the water isn't too deep, simply use a lower gear with slightly higher throttle to pass through. 2. When driving in heavy rain: Of course, during heavy rain, if the windshield wipers cannot provide sufficient visibility, it's generally advisable to find a relatively safe spot to park, turn on the width lights, and wait until the rain lessens before continuing. The most important thing is to determine the water depth; typically, the water level should not exceed two-thirds of the tire height.
As someone who has driven manual transmission cars for years, I remember that time after the heavy rain when the road was deeply flooded. I selected first gear and slowly drove through, keeping the RPM around 1500-2000. The car steadily made it across without stalling. The water depth should ideally not exceed half of the tire height, and maintain a steady speed of 5-10 km/h, avoiding sudden acceleration or braking. After crossing, I lightly tapped the brakes a few times to test their effectiveness and prevent residual water from affecting the braking system. The key is to observe the water conditions in advance, avoid large puddles, and choose a smooth, straight path. Experience tells me that using a low gear prevents engine stalling and protects both the engine and the transmission system.
