5 tips for driving safely in floods – Car News

Driving on flooded roads is a common occurrence during the peak monsoon season in India.

Pre-monsoon rains have brought much-needed relief to people in many parts of the country in the past few days after three months of unbearable heat during the scorching summer. However, the rains bring new challenges, especially for people who step out of their homes for daily chores like work, shopping, medical checkups, etc.

Flooded roads in major urban centers of the country, especially metros and tier-1 cities, pose a threat to commuters and drivers alike. In this article, we have listed 5 tips on how to drive on flooded or waterlogged roads safely without causing damage to your vehicle.

1. Avoid areas with large pools of standing water

In general, avoid driving on waterlogged roads where the water level is higher than the lowest part of the road. carbodywork, i.e. the lower part of the front bumper or the sills below the doors. Most cars cannot pass through high levels of water, which can clog the exhaust and leak through the radiator to reach the engine. Avoid underpasses as water remains stagnant after heavy rain.

2. Keep moving slowly

If you come across a puddle of water, always keep your vehicle moving and avoid stopping in the middle of the puddle, which can give water a chance to get into the interior parts. You should also avoid accelerating or braking too hard, as this can cause the car to stall. Always drive in lower gears, i.e. 1st or 2nd gear.

3. Do not restart if the engine has stopped.

If unfortunately you find yourself stuck in the middle of a puddle of water with the engine stopped, it is best not to start the engine again. Connecting rods are subjected to excessive pressure and can easily break when restarting due to the pressure exerted by the water. Additionally, if rainwater reaches the engine through the intake or emissions, it can seriously damage the engine and cost a lot of money. money to repair.

The best solution is to get out and push the vehicle to an area that is not flooded. Once you are sure that the water has drained from the exhaust and other internal parts, it is safe to restart the car.

4. Don’t panic, stay calm

If the car enters water far beyond its capacity, the pressure exerted by the standing water may prevent the door from opening. If the door is stuck, you should not panic and remain calm. The first step to remember is to roll down the windows and get out before the water gets too deep. If this is not possible, they find some sharp or heavy object to break the window glass.

5. Use the brakes when the vehicle is out of the danger area.

Once your vehicle is out of the floodwater, apply the brakes to clear the moisture from them and make sure they work effectively before you actually need to use them. Water buildup can cause brakes to fail and can eventually create a dangerous driving situation. By removing the excess water, it will allow the car to move smoothly and respond quickly to the driver’s inputs.

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