Driving a flooded street

[Verbl Kint]

The skinny on myths about flood driving | Inquirer Business

The skinny on myths about flood driving
Jeanette Ipapo-Tuason


I just recently celebrated my birthday, which means it’s the rainy season. On a bad year, either a volcano erupted or a major earthquake happened somewhere but usually just heavy rain, which nevertheless keeps everybody from leaving the party. Since rains and floods are already here, it’s time to debunk some driving in the flood myths.

Myth 1: If you drive into a flood, turn off the air conditioner.

Skinny: True. According to 4×4 expert Beeboy Bargas, turning off the air conditioner in the older model cars was important because they didn’t have a separate clutch fan. The engine has a solitary fan, which works with a pulley connected to all the system. Turning off the air conditioner decreases the chances of damaging the system. For newer models, floodwater can short out the electrical parts of the car resulting in more heart and headaches than a few sauna-like minutes in your newfound submarine.

Myth 2: An SUV is an amphibian.

Skinny: False. Even if they are as rugged and high, the S in SUV does not mean submarine. The advantage of an SUV is usually the air box (where air comes in to the engine—which is used to burn fuel) is higher than the usual sedans, it is still prone to water damage. You can usually see this air intake near the inside fender. The air is important in the fuel. It is also important in the air combustion process, which keeps the engine on, therefore producing a force that expels the water from the muffler, which is another entry point for water.

Myth 3: …and so is the pick-up.

Skinny: False. Pick-ups are also not amphibians. They might be horses because they usually have a higher wheelbase and/or bigger tires that are helpful in these conditions. The 4×4 vehicles that you see crossing rivers usually have an air scoop, whichis installed to raise the entry point of air into the engine higher up in the vehicle and ensuring that the fuel and air combustion in the engine continues.

Myth 4: You need to step on the accelerator continuously (while driving through floodwater).

Skinny: Partially. Stepping on the accelerator increases this force that makes sure that water does not come into the engine through the muffler. But you don’t need to overdo it. As long as the engine is on, the outward force will continue to come out of the muffler, expelling the water in the process.

Myth 5: If it’s just about knee-high, it is safe to drive.

Skinny: False. According to Floodready.com, only half a meter of floodwater is enough to sweep a car off the road. There are other factors that you don’t see under the murky waters that can turn your EDSA drive into a white-water rafting experience.

Myth 6: High water is the only danger.

Skinny: False. During the rain, a lot of debris are washed away from our sooo clean streets (I am being sarcastic here). There is a possibility that items that can either puncture your tire or put a dent in your car, such as floating trashcans, woods, pieces of metal, Godzilla, etc., are lurking under the waters.

Myth 7: Pump your brakes after passing through water.

Skinny: True. My husband (JP Tuason), who teaches defensive driving, always mentions this during his seminars. Pumping the brakes dries the brake pads because a wet braking system is unresponsive and this is a recipe for a crash.

Myth 8: When flooded, drive at the center of the road.

Skinny: True. According to Mike Johnson, owner of Trapik.com, most of the roads are crowned, making the center the highest part of the road. This may sound very *****y, but, hey, I don’t think there’s a lot of you that will attempt this anyway.

So now that we have debunked some of the myths, please don’t claim that you have not been informed. A great philosopher once said: “And knowing is half the battle”… wait I think that was GI Joe.

For comments and suggestions, please e-mail me at jntATtuasonracingDOTcom. Please e-mail us your tips in driving safe during the rainy season. The top 10 best tips will get Ford’s First Gear Book for New Drivers.

[K.I.L.L.]

This isn't exact but I use this rule - when the water is about 1/2 of your wheel, then that means you can't cross. If you look at most cars that are not modified meaning everything is stock including rims, tyres and springs, the muffler is usually at about the same height as the middle of your wheel.

Good luck to all the motorists out there! I think we can expect these massive floods to happen every few years if not sooner.

[creech]

naalala ko tuloy yung SUV na tumawid sa baha na nakunan ng GMA news. pagkalampas tumirik tapos kinakatok yung engine ng driver natatawa ako pag naalala ko yun.

kayabangan na lang yun eh

[Azulbanirpal]

Thanks for the post TS, very useful indeed. But there is a query which is a concern regarding 4x4 with snorkels. What if computer box is submerged, wont that also stop your vehicle?

[Verbl Kint]

The "computer box" or ECU is in a sealed box typically near the dash. The condition of the box is something you should check so YMMV.

The biggest issue is that the water should not reach your car's airbox. Once water reaches the combustion chamber (or even just close to it), your engine is done for. Get to know where your car's air filter is and that's when you can approximately gauge at what depth your car can wade through.

You should be fine with the water reaching your muffler, too. And, as long as the engine is on, water won't enter the muffler. You don't even need to rev the car past 1k rpm to keep the water from entering the muffler.

[Azulbanirpal]

I see, so depending if computer box is sealed by manufacturer.

I would think that if you can avoid fording the better, since water can enter axles, differentials, tranny and even t-cases if you have a 4x4, unless naka breather hose setup. Mahirap kelangan drain oil dapat since water left on those chambers will wreak havoc eventually on gears.

Youre right about suvs, inches lang ang difference sa common sedan unless naka snorkel.
Thanks TS!

[1delaX]

I see, so depending if computer box is sealed by manufacturer.

I would think that if you can avoid fording the better, since water can enter axles, differentials, tranny and even t-cases if you have a 4x4, unless naka breather hose setup. Mahirap kelangan drain oil dapat since water left on those chambers will wreak havoc eventually on gears.

Youre right about suvs, inches lang ang difference sa common sedan unless naka snorkel.
Thanks TS!

Are you sure? Arent they sealed with high grade gaskets and bolts torqued to specs ? If flood water can penetrate a tranny, what's preventing the (pressurized) tranny oil from leaking out?

[Azulbanirpal]

Some tranny and most differentials have breathers on them, they are there usually on top of the differenials. This is where water can come in, especially if differnetials are fully submerged. Also rubber seals are not 100% waterproof since seals are mostly there to keep oil in, and water is less viscuos. Those seals wear and will fail eventually and allow water inside.


http://www.customtacos.com/tech/index.php?article=86

Click site above for in-depth analysis. I drive a small 4x4 and I try not to immerse it in water if possible, draining those components of mixed oil and water are not what I would call easy. In some cases you need to remove the third member of the diffs to get rid of contaminated oil and seal up everythig again with gasket maker.

Btw I do my own repair and upgrade on my vehicles.

[slamm]

^yes, some transmissions have a breather nga... i learned the hard way with one of our old cars. nasira yung auto transmission because of prolonged water contamination (years of wading through floods with the previous owner neglecting to change the ATF).

Yung mga engine bay mounted ECU, mukhang sealed na talaga (or at least water resistant). Yung sa Ondoy edition Vios namin, buhay na buhay pa rin yung original ECU.

BTT: If you can avoid the flood, better to avoid. If you must cross, gauge first the depth by checking cars that went ahead, and the height against objects on the road (gutter, walls, plant boxes, street signs, etc.).

[Papichulo168]

Don't ask tambays if the flood is shallow enough to cross.

[JASPER_27]

Flood fording depth of cars depends on the location of the ecu and air intake.

Kaya may advantage ang old school diesels dahil alternator lang ang electronic sa kanila (pero sealed naman to kaya ok lang sa short flood wading). Kaya umiilaw lahat ng warning sa dash dahil di gumagana ng maayos yung alternator pag nakababad

Syempre ground clearance din.