Driving Through Flood Waters

mikey4444 | 11:14 Tue 22nd Nov 2016 | Motoring

18 Answers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/38056955

Isn't this just plain stupid ? All cars have catalytic converters these days, and I have always been led to believe driving through deep flood waters, especially at speed was daft and dangerous !

Head Gasket

Brake .lights

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jno

yes, there's what looks like sound advice here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advice/how-to-drive-through-floods/

though my own advice, which I have taken, is "live on a hill".

RATTER15

I once drove my bosses brand new Peugeot into a 12 inch flood. The engines just locked solid and was a right off. The air intake sucked the water straight into the engine, you cant compress water!! The air intake was mounted directly behind the grill. New engine required!

I didnt get employee of the month reward that month!

Khandro

I think, it would be best to drive at high speed rather than dawdle, thereby pushing the water away. Though it might be frowned on by nearby pedestrians.

mikey4444

Question Author

Khandro....better not to dive through flood waters at all would be my suggestion !

SlackAlice

Khandro, was this you then? ☺☺☺

mikey4444

Question Author

Slackie....that looked awful....stupid people doing stupid things !

Baldric

Sound advice from jno's link
///If you decide to go through, stay on the crown of the road where possible and crawl through the water very slowly in first gear. Keep the engine revs up (by slipping the clutch if necessary) to avoid water entering the exhaust pipe. Also avoid the temptation to make a quick exit, as going at speed can push water into the engine///
That's the way to do it!

RATTER15

No worries here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhSXohRnEuk

SlackAlice

Perfect demonstration of how NOT to do it by the police. Note at the end of the clip the water depth was only halfway up the wheel.

mikey4444

Question Author

Slackie....I enjoyed that last one !....what bloody pillocks !

bhg481

Baldric @10:28 is absolutely right. Driving fast causes a bow-wave which will affect other vehicles and houses, if any nearby. Don't forget to dry your brakes out as soon as you get out of the water by driving with your left foot lightly on the brake pedal. You don't have to do but if you don't you might find yourself using the other method of stopping.

mikey4444

Question Author

Baldric is most certainly not even near right !

You should drive through standing water only if its a few inches deep, like 4-5 inches. Driving though deep water is plain stupid, at whatever speed, as can be seen on here today.

bhg481

No, JNO and Baldric are absolutely right - IF, and only IF, you decide you must drive through the water, for whatever reason, aim for where you think the water is shallowest and drive very slowly.

Khandro

Rally drivers don't seem to slow down very much

bhg481