driving through floods

ddraver

As it seems to be common up where i am

When i'm cycling i freewheel and prepare to absorb bumps mwith my legs, now small as my nissan micra is, I can't really do that

for a small puddle/likely aquaplaning place - is it best to take the foot off the accelerator and just head for the shallowest bit in a straight line? or keep some power on?!

for a big puddle - these are less common but i understand that you need to go in slowly and carefully and just keep steady power on untill your out the other side?

Any thoughts

Dave

Scubar

put it in a low gear and go slow keep the revs the same

RobA

If its deep, don't for the love of god go in at full pelt as it will be like hitting a brick wall. Just it it in a low gear and create a bow wave which you can keep up with, try not to change gear and do not turn off the engine and try to restart, get some on to pull you out as water goes up the exhaust.

Specialized5432

low gear, high revs

red eye

make sure the water level does not go above the front bumper, or the engine will take in water.and bend your conrods

shorty15

its not wet here

Jamesy88

first gear, a lot ov revs, so that waters doesnt go up the exhaust and into the engine,

Anonymous

Ive done a fair bit of off-roading due to my line of work and the way i was taught was exactly as ROBA says, low gear with enough revs to keep up with the bow wave you will be creating (if you keep up with it, you will actually be able to drive through deper water than if not as the bow wave creates a low depression inthe water infront of the car).
as mentioned in another reply, your car isnt a submarine so apply commone sense as to what you can or cant drive through.

Random Vince

if in doubt take it steady

if you dont know how deep a shallow area of water is then slow down, aquaplaining and slewing (resistance pulling the car sideways) is easier to deal with / none existant if you're going slower

AndyGates

Just to add:

Aim for the centre of the road. The camber means that this is the shallowest bit.

You may want to keep the revs up by slipping the clutch a little.

If it's fast-flowing, don't even try. Water is *heavy* - remember the footage of the Boscastle floods bouncing cars around like they were bubbles?

If you charge in while driving an old crusty ambulance, the engine will stall magnificently in a huge plume of steam leaving you looking like a total arse. :oops: