Rivan RS
The monsoon has arrived, and with it comes the threat of flooding, especially in cities like Mumbai, where the infrastructure can hardly cope with heavy rains. Potholes, sewers full of waste, and road construction generally lack quality, which means that water injection is common. These are five tips to follow when driving in flooded areas.
1. Avoid standing standing with standing water
Generally, avoid driving through flooded areas as much as possible. Although some SUVs have wading depths that the company claims, most cars are not meant to drive more than half a foot of water. Check Google Maps, talk to people on the road, follow traffic updates on social media or radio, and stay alert while driving to avoid flooded roads and find alternative routes. Before attempting to wading, be aware of other road users (cars, bicycles, trucks, and pedestrians) to measure the depth of the water.
2. Keep going
If there is a flood, please do your best to keep the water going and don’t stop. Don’t suddenly accelerate or brake hard, just maintain a stable power. If the car is parked in stagnant water, the water may seep into important parts such as the air intake and exhaust ports. When driving in water, use a lower gear (first, second, or third gear, depending on the speed) and keep the engine speed on the higher side. Wading will put extra pressure on the engine, and using third gear instead of first gear may cause the car to stall.
3. If stuck in the water, do not restart the engine
If the car is parked in a flooded area, do not try to restart it immediately. There are many reasons-first, water will put more pressure on the connecting rod of the engine, which may cause the connecting rod to break. In addition, if water enters the engine through the air intake or exhaust port, it may severely damage the engine and burn a larger hole in your pocket during maintenance. If you suspect that water has entered the engine, turn off the car immediately to avoid any further damage. Push the car to an area that is not flooded and call emergency services for help.
4. Don’t panic if you get stuck inside
When the car is in the water, the force of the stagnant water on the door is much greater than you think. This may prevent the door from opening. In this case, the first thing to do is to stay calm, not panic. Then, try to open the door with your legs. If this method does not work, use a heavy blunt object (anything from a tire iron to a headrest) to break one of the windows. However, do not try to damage the windshield, as it is usually much more difficult than doors and windows. Remember, it’s always safer to walk to dry ground aside from a flooded car than to try in a submersible.
5. Pump brake after pumping
After successfully clearing the water body, stepping on the brake will help drain any water that may accumulate in the area. The water in the brake will naturally hinder the correct use of the brake. This problem is more common in cars with drum brakes. Considering that most models sold in India have rear drums, it is recommended that you take this measure.
When driving this monsoon, please keep these tips in mind and stay safe.
See also:
The basic skills of monsoon riding
