Whats the correct way to drive thru a flood on a road?

Question

Slow and steady and in 1st or 2nd gear or put the boot down and hope for the best

Answer 1

Bet to avoid, but if no alternative = 2nd gear, dip clutch slightly to keep the revs up. Keep a steady speed.

Answer 2

buy an amphibous duck - or have a breather tube fitted to the carbretta of your petrol car, and the electrics sealed to prevent shorting. alternativly, use a diesel, fit an air snorkel.

If you have a normal car, don't try to drive through a fast moving current, if it is well sealed, the shift of weight as it starts to float may remove the presure from rear drive wheels, and cause the car to spin around and face into the current, which would flood the engine for sure. Pick a calm shallow patch which has a firm surface under it, and drive steadily at moderatly high revs to prevent the cold shock wave of the water from engulfing the cab, maintain a high rev to keep gases flowing out of the exhaust, and preventing it from filling with water.

when you get to the other side, keep the engine running, and apply the brakes several times to burn off any slime from the break shoes, and open the doors to remove excess water from the cab. Better still, park the car on high ground, get out and walk - you may get a little wet, but you will not wreack your car, and leave a mess -block the road - that some boidy else has to clean up when the water subsides.

Answer 3

When I was young and in Ireland on holiday we came across lots of flooded roads and I remember Dad driving slow and I think he kept the clutch down a little even when out of the flood water. If it were me now I wouldn't even go through the water if it could be helped.

Answer 4

I think it depends. If the waters too deep you've had it either way. I have to drive through a flooded ford and the problem there is the power of the water hitting the car sideways as oppose to there being a depth problem, so putting the boot down is the right way, driving too slow means the force of the water can sweep you away.

Answer 5

You got more than that to worry about..you need to make sure your alternator doesn't get flooded, or else your car is going to stall. Therefore, you just want to drive at a nice slow steady pace, so too much water doesnt start shorting everything out.

Answer 6

Drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch - this will stop you from stalling.
Avoid the deepest water which is usually near the kerb don't attempt to cross if the water seems too deep
Remember - test your brakes when you are through the flood before you drive at normal speed. Don't drive to close to the car in front because it is harder to brake quickly and put headlights on when driving in rain
Chris

Answer 7

The advice I have always heard from the "experts" on TV is that one should NEVER drive through a road covered by water. Find an alternate route if possible.

Answer 8

2nd gear better than first. High revs but go slow - high revs handy so there's less chance of you stalling. But go slow so you only create a small bow wave rather than a tide. If someone is coming thro the other way at the same time, it may well be curtains...

Answer 9

Don't do it is the best advice. If you have to, proceed slowly and steadily. Never put your foot down as you'll either aquaplane or flood the engine. If the water is deep enough to get into the exhaust or engine DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH IT as it will kill the car .. permanently!

Answer 10

Slow speed and high revs. The danger will come if you slow down or drop the revs. If water gets sucked into the exhaust, if you stall it will be sucked straight into the engine and blow it.
It brings to mind when I went to Solihull to the Whale vehicle plant. To get there I had to cross a ford so I paused to watch the car in front go through and the water just came up to his cills. I set off after it and was horrified to see the car in front was a Citroen and as it left the water it lowered its suspension. I just scraped through.