The risks of driving through floodwaters
During Friday's ridiculous weather, I spent four big hours traversing through floodwaters getting home. At one stage on the flood prone portions of Subangdaku Mandaue, I drove for several hundreds of meters down a flooded lane that got steadily deeper. I was following a Nissan Navarra pickup and watched in horror as the water was almost covering its rear bumper. Although panic never set in, the depth of the flood was enough to make me think twice over being stupidly courageous or cowardly safe.
I was driving an old Landcruiser LC70, one of those Toyota tanks that were designed to maneuver through tough situations. I probably had the same wading clearance (the car's height from the ground to the vital parts to make it run through flood) as the Nissan Navarra which was steadily making it through.
We both made it through. But what would have happened if it got deeper? What's the danger? What's the risk of driving through the floodwaters?
Basically, Stopping distances increase on wet roads. Your Brakes will likely fade and you'll have a big chance of stalling your car in the middle of the flood. Steering also becomes unresponsive and tires struggle for grip.
Mechanically speaking, the biggest risk is the car's engine. The Engine Intake System might suck in water into the cylinders, destroying internal parts which may result in engine seizure. Water can also mess up the oil inside the engine, destroying the lubrication that is essential to the moving parts of the engine. If you think you drove through the flood unscathed, think again. Water contaminated oil can corrode the engine's internal parts, causing long-term big-time damage.
Another big risk is your Car's Electronic systems. Many manufacturers install automobile Engine Control Unit (ECU) on the floorboards and on the engine firewalls under the dashboard. Some Alternator Units that provide electric charging to the Car's Battery are mounted in the bottom side of engines. Water damage to these components can result in all sorts of electrical and electronic headaches.
The Transmission is also at risk of major damage. These are the gears that transmit power to the wheels. These expensive gear sets rely on oil mainly for lubrication and cooling. Water entering the transmission is bad news as it contaminates the oil, making the gears slip and eventually destroying it. This can lead to a catastrophic transmission failure and an expensive fix.
Most modern Car Interiors will hold under a flood beating or two, but it will either show or smell. To replace the seats, door sidings, carpet, etcetera will mean big bills.
The Brakes are also not saved from flood damage. If the rotors are extremely hot, exposure to water can warp them. The result is your car will vibrate when you try to brake. Water may also get into the brake calipers and lines, causing temporary brake failure. Although brakes are relatively cheaper to fix, the risk of losing your brakes presents as a big problem.
Crossing a flood presents a big risk to your safety and to your car. It's best to think twice before you do.
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