Why Should You Avoid Restarting a Flooded Car?

[VanBrantley]

Restarting a stalled vehicle in water is considered a secondary ignition attempt, which can damage the engine. Here are precautions for driving through flooded road sections: 1. Assess water conditions: Pay attention to water depth. Observe other vehicles currently crossing to determine if your vehicle can pass safely based on their water levels and positions. 2. Check road surface conditions: Judge shallow areas and pothole-free zones by watching preceding vehicles. If no vehicles have crossed, always exit to personally verify conditions before proceeding. 3. Driving through water: Maintain low speed. For manual transmission vehicles, use second or third gear depending on water depth; shift to first gear in deep water with heavy traffic. 4. Avoid hard acceleration: Aggressive throttle application is highly inadvisable. Many drivers fear stalling and accelerate abruptly, often creating more serious problems.