Heavy rain means a risk of flooded roads.
What’s the correct way to tackle standing water in your car?
While some cars will get through quite severe floods, there are a number of dangers. Apart from shorted-out electrics on petrol cars, there is also a risk of the engine sucking in water which, being incompressible will cause it to lock solid (hydraulic lock), smashing connecting rods, pistons, even crankshafts. If the water is fast-moving, there is also a risk that the car could be carried off into deeper flood water with you inside.
So what should you do when you meet a flood?
Please don’t drive through flood water just 1 foot of water can float a car !
Please avoid it, There will usually be an alternative route available !!
The safest option will normally be to use the alternative route and you should seriously consider that, particularly if you are carrying vulnerable or nervous passengers. If, however you decide to drive through the water you should make sure there is not more than six inches of standing water or four inches of moving water. Parking up and watching other cars and trucks negotiate the flood can be a good way of checking to see how deep it is. In particular look out for hidden dips and gullies where the water could be deeper, there could be deep hidden potholes underneath.
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 bay.
Even drivers of large 4x4s should take care “If there’s one thing that will stop you, apart from underwater obstructions such as sunken trees, it is water being sucked into the engine usually via the air intake. You must understand the geography of your vehicle, particularly where the engine’s air intake is; which side of the car, at the front or the back and, crucially, how low it is. Even some off-roaders have particularly low and vulnerable air intakes.
If you have too go through the water go really slowly (about 1-2mph) And if you do only go up to the vehicles recommended wading depth, please DON’T create a bow wave in urban areas It WILL push water into engine bays, above air intakes on nearby vehicles and over flood defences.
Avoid going too fast into even quite shallow puddles as that can lead to aquaplaning, where the tyres will no longer steer the car and you lose control. It is also illegal to soak pedestrians. When you emerge from the water, dry the brakes by using them gently, and if there were leaves in the water, check the radiator matrix for blockages. Another thing to watch out for vehicles coming the other way particularly if there are no flood signs up. You might be observing all the best advice, but 4x4s or large trucks racing though in the opposite direction can create such bow waves they drown your car.
So, to summarise the advice:
1. Only drive through water if you know how deep it is, keep all windows shut to avoid getting water in your vehicle.
2. Drive slowly and steadily. Allow oncoming traffic to pass first and test your brakes as soon as you can after leaving the water.
3. Don’t drive through fast-moving water, such as at a flooded bridge approach – your car could easily be swept away.
4. Driving fast through standing water is dangerous – tyres aquaplane and you lose steering control. Watch out for standing water, trying to avoid it if you can, and adjust your speed to the conditions. If you experience aquaplaning, hold the steering wheel lightly and lift off the throttle until the tyres regain grip.
5. Driving fast through standing water is inconsiderate and illegal. You could face a hefty fine and between three and nine penalty points if the police believe you were driving without reasonable consideration to other road users.
6. Driving fast through standing water can cause expensive damage – the air intake on many cars is low at the front of the engine bay and it only takes a small quantity of water sucked into the engine to cause serious damage.
7. As you drive slowly through standing water, keep the engine revving by slipping the clutch if necessary, otherwise water in the exhaust could stall the engine.
8. If you break down in heavy rain don’t prop the bonnet open while you wait for the patrol to arrive – the engine will be more difficult to start again if the electrics are wet.
Remember if your still not sure after assessing it, turn around don’t drown !
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