Is it safe to drive through flood water?
Is it safe to drive through flood water?
Driving too fast through a flood can cause mechanical damage to cars. Experts recommend no more than 3-4mph With more heavy rain forecast, it’s vital drivers know how to deal with flooded roads. The waterlogged carriageway might look innocuous enough, the prospect of entering deep water quite an adventure.
How are cars affected by flooding in the UK?
Robert King, technical editor with Glass.co.uk, said: The last time we suffered widespread flooding in the UK, the engines of many cars were damaged by driving through water. Modern cars tend to have air intakes fairly low down at the front of the car. Drive through water deep enough and it will be sucked up into the engine, causing it to seize.
What should you do if your car is in flood water?
This will form a depression in the water that should keep water out of the engine bay. At all costs keep your engine running; don’t be afraid to slip the clutch if need be. If your exhaust pipe is submerged, the exhaust gases flowing out will stop water running along it towards the engine.
What happens to the engine when you drive through a puddle?
The technical term for this damage is called ‘hydrostatic lock’ – water enters an engine cylinder and during the compression stroke will lock the engine piston in place. This in turn overloads the connection rod, causing it to deform and cause significant engine damage. It can even destroy the engine altogether.
What happens when you drive through flood water?
If your exhaust pipe is submerged, the exhaust gases flowing out will stop water running along it towards the engine. If you go too fast, your bow wave will come back at you, eventually flooding the engine. When is the water level too high?
This will form a depression in the water that should keep water out of the engine bay. At all costs keep your engine running; don’t be afraid to slip the clutch if need be. If your exhaust pipe is submerged, the exhaust gases flowing out will stop water running along it towards the engine.
Why did my check engine light come on?
Obviously the engine compartment must have gotten really wet. However, there doesn’t seem to be any ill effects: the engine sounds fine, transmission shifts normally, no smoke, etc… The problem is, my check engine light came on and the cruise control indicator started flashing.
What’s the best speed to drive through flood water?
Experts at Land Rover advise you to enter the water at 1-2mph and then speed up to 3-4mph. Your aim is to create a bow wave in front of you.
