How to Drive a Manual Car During Floods Easily

During the rainy season, some areas are usually flooded. This certainly makes friends who have to travel and pass through flooded areas very careful in driving their vehicles. Especially if your vehicle is a manual car. You need to know how to drive a manual car in floods before hitting the road.

Driving in flooded areas is indeed very troublesome. Moreover, if your vehicle is a manual car, not only is it tiring to shift gears, but it is also exhausting due to traffic jams. When you have to pass through an area that is flooded, causing your car to be submerged, what should you do? Don't panic, you can follow the steps to drive a manual car in a flooded situation.

1. Estimate how high the water level is

If the flood water level is getting higher, the risk of your car getting damaged also increases. You can check whether the road is still passable or not by seeing if the water level reaches half the tire, even if the car used has high ground clearance.

The best way to get out of this situation is to find an alternative route or wait for the water to recede. However, if you are already trapped and must push through the flood, make sure the air filter does not get water in it. Because a submerged air filter can cause water hammer, which is the condition of water entering the combustion chamber and can damage the engine.

2. Use first gear to push through the flood

When you are driving a manual transmission car and have to push through a flood, as a safety measure, you can use first gear. This method is done to prevent water from entering the exhaust, which can cause problems with the car. On the other hand, if your car is an automatic transmission, you can use the L transmission and maintain the RPM at a stable position.

However, you need to consider the water level first; if it is certain that your car's exhaust will be submerged if you dare to push through the water, reconsider your intention to continue the journey. You can pull over and find a safe place while waiting for the water to recede.

3. Drive the car slowly

When you are driving over floodwaters and using a manual transmission car, drive the car at a low speed and use low gear. The same goes for when you are using an automatic transmission car. This method should be done because traffic usually slows down.

By driving the car slowly, you can help anticipate things that are hard to see, such as large holes or even cross ditches that could endanger the car. In addition, you should also avoid half-clutch positions or revving the engine in the water, as it can create waves or ripples.

4. Keep a distance from the car in front

In addition to slowing down the car, you also need to maintain a distance from the vehicle in front to prevent your car from stopping in the middle of the flood. This driving method is often overlooked by drivers because they want to get through the flood quickly.

If your car stops in the middle of the flood, it will cause water to flood the car's exhaust system. By keeping a distance, you can also prevent your car from colliding if the vehicle in front suddenly stops.

5. Turn off the engine when the car stalls

When the water level exceeds the safe limit and you still push through the flood, causing the car to stall and stop in the middle of the road. Try not to panic. It is best not to attempt to restart the car engine, as it can cause more severe damage to the engine. You can push the car out of the water and try to start the engine. If it still doesn't work, you can call a technician to fix it.

6. Dry the brakes

When you successfully pass through the flood without any issues, immediately check the condition of the brakes. You can do this simply by driving at a low speed, around 5 kilometers per hour, and pressing the brake pedal several times to ensure its condition is good. You can also dry the brakes by pressing the brake pedal slightly while pressing the gas pedal together for about 20 seconds.

7. Check brake fluid, transmission, and engine oil

Floodwaters touching the bottom of the engine and gearbox can cause water to enter and mix with the lubricant. After successfully passing through the flood without issues, immediately check the brake fluid, transmission, and engine oil. It's quite easy; if the oil color changes to lighter or cloudy like milk, it means it has been contaminated by water and it is recommended to replace the contaminated fluid immediately.

8. Check the air filter

An air filter that has been submerged in floodwater can cause your car to stall. If you can pass through the flood without issues, it is advisable to check the air filter directly. You can clean or at least dry the filter to prevent more serious problems.

9. Look for another route as an alternative

To avoid problems with your car during a flood, it is better not to pass through the flooded road, by looking for another alternative route. Although this method will take longer and require more fuel, it is the safest solution.

After knowing how to drive a manual car in floods, do your best to apply it if you find yourself in that situation. Since traffic usually slows down during floods, try to keep food and drinks in the car, so you don't feel thirsty or hungry while waiting for traffic to clear.

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