Tips for Driving a Car During Floods

Driving through flooded streets is a tricky task. It requires specific steps to navigate flooded roads without causing problems for your car.

That’s why knowing tips for driving a car during floods is important. Fortunately, you can find these tips in this article. Here are the tips for driving a car during floods!

Pay Attention to the Water Level

Before deciding to drive through flooded streets, you need to pay attention to the height of the water. One way to do this is to see if the water has reached halfway up the tires or not.

If the water level has reached halfway up the tires or more, we recommend looking for another route. Alternatively, wait until the water level decreases. If you must drive through that road, make sure that the air filter of the car does not get flooded.

If that happens, water can enter the combustion chamber and cause damage to the engine. Besides ensuring the air filter is safe, you also need to follow tips number 2 and 3 below!

Drive Slowly

When encountering flooded streets, try to drive slowly. Driving slowly helps you avoid ditches or potholes that may be hidden by the flood.

To drive slowly, make sure to use a low gear, regardless of whether your car has a manual or automatic transmission. Also, avoid revving the engine and keep the clutch at a half position to prevent the car from creating waves in the water.

Use First Gear

If you accidentally drive at a high speed, you can use first gear while managing the clutch. This is done to prevent the car from creating waves in the water.

The waves created by your car can hit important parts of the vehicle, such as the fuel pump or spark plugs. If water reaches those parts, your car may stall. The waves can also affect other cars or motorcycles passing nearby.

Dry the Car Brakes

This tip should be done after you successfully pass through flooded streets. Drying the brakes is very important to prevent them from malfunctioning.

There are several steps to dry the car brakes. First, drive the vehicle at a low speed, about 5 km/h. Then, press the brake pedal several times. This step is to ensure whether the brakes are still functioning properly or not.

In addition to the above steps, you can also take another step. This step involves pressing the brake and gas pedals simultaneously for 20 seconds. Make sure to press the brake and gas pedals slowly.

Turn Off the Engine If the Car Stalls

This should be done if your car stalls due to floodwater. Immediately turn off the engine if you notice signs of the car stalling. This is to avoid severe damage to the car engine.

When turning off the engine, you can check the engine oil, transmission, and brake fluid. Specifically for the oil, make sure to replace it immediately if the oil color becomes murky. This should be done in a flood-free area if possible.

These are the tips for driving a car in floodwaters. Hopefully, you can practice these tips when you have to drive through flooded streets. See you and safe driving!