RE: Numpties Swamp their Cars
Tuesday 10th August 2004
Numpties Swamp their Cars
Wet weather knackers motors
Despite warm temperatures, wet winter conditions are making the country's major and minor road systems treacherous for unwary motorists.
With the onslaught of the inclement weather, Green Flag Motoring Assistance is receiving increased calls for help from motorists caught out by the affects of the downpour.
Motorists are calling for help due to a variety of weather-related reasons, brought on by wet weather said Green Flag spokesperson, Nigel Charlesworth.
"Reduced visibility and cars aquaplaning on surface water are increasing calls for help or recovery for minor accidents and drivers who take a chance in driving through deep water are experiencing engine cut-out."
"For many, the option of not driving is not available to them, but for others, we advise that, if rain is heavy or torrential, to make other arrangements," he added.
Green Flag offers the following tips to help motorists who may face floods and heavy rain this week.
- Driving through flooded roads can cause problems with the electrics of most cars and affects the engine management system, coils, distributors and leads. Keep your speed down to avoid splashing water under the bonnet.
- If possible, check the depth of water before driving through it. Two feet of water is enough to sweep your car away. If you think it's too deep, try to find an alternative route.
- If driving through water is unavoidable, drive through it slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch to prevent stalling. Avoid the deepest parts, usually near the kerb, near bridges or dips in the road.
- On coastal roads, lookout for pebbles and stones being thrown up by waves, they may hit you or your car.
Discussion
Wrong advice there then. Keeping your revs up prevents stalling due to increased exhaust pressure caused by the fact it is trying to exit underwater, and also prevents water flowing into your exhaust system ,silencers etc.
Always remember to dry your brakes out by driving with your foot lightly on the brake pedal for 50m or so as braking effect will be significantly reduced with wet discs/pads.
Always remember to dry your brakes out by driving with your foot lightly on the brake pedal for 50m or so as braking effect will be significantly reduced with wet discs/pads.
Driving through flooded roads can completely sh*g your engine if you are unfortunate enough to get a good gob of water up the intake - unlike air it's not compressible and bad things happen to the pistons 
My old VW Golf had the air intake under the front bumper so I used to lift the bonnet and pop off the air hose before doing any serious fording; don't know where it is on the new Golf but I'll certainly check if the situation arises.
Otherwise, 1st gear, enter slowly then build up speed to create small 'bow wave' in front of the car and keep going. Not keen on the idea of clutch slipping myself but I see what you're thinking.
AdrianR
My old VW Golf had the air intake under the front bumper so I used to lift the bonnet and pop off the air hose before doing any serious fording; don't know where it is on the new Golf but I'll certainly check if the situation arises.
Otherwise, 1st gear, enter slowly then build up speed to create small 'bow wave' in front of the car and keep going. Not keen on the idea of clutch slipping myself but I see what you're thinking.
AdrianR
Flat in Fifth said:
Always amazes me what folks got up to on Scarborough Marine Drive when it was blowing a hooligan in from the east.
Driving along wave dodging...... or not. Until they saw the size of the boulders chucked into the middle of the road.
Seem to recall its blocked off with barriers now.
Used to live in Scarborough and yes, your right, there always was some retard trying to get round Marine Drive in the worse weather imaginable. You did get to hear of cars (and their numpty drivers) trying this and being swept into the sea never to be seen again, years ago I might add, but not so much now (I guess due to the barriers)! As a foot note, Ive witnessed waves hitting the 'drive' and towering as high as the castle on top of the cliff, which is really bloody high! An awesome thing to watch from a very safe distance but you would not survive such an event!
"If driving through water is unavoidable, drive through it slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch to prevent stalling. Avoid the deepest parts, usually near the kerb, near bridges or dips in the road."
I've always wondered what to do if you have an auto box - you can't rev it or slip the clutch)?!
I've always wondered what to do if you have an auto box - you can't rev it or slip the clutch)?!
amg merc said:
"If driving through water is unavoidable, drive through it slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch to prevent stalling. Avoid the deepest parts, usually near the kerb, near bridges or dips in the road."
I've always wondered what to do if you have an auto box - you can't rev it or slip the clutch)?!
You're not too likely to stall an auto....
Sorry, that's not very helpfull is it?
.amg merc said:
I've always wondered what to do if you have an auto box - you can't rev it or slip the clutch)?!
Stick it in 1st ("Low" if you have an old-fashioned 3-speed box). I work with a young lady who cruised through a flood in "Drive" in her boy-friend's BMW, stalled and had to be pulled out by a tractor.
Revving and clutch-slipping was sound advice in the days of dodgy electrics, when cars would misfire at the first hint of moisture under the bonnet.
These days, car electrics are more or less bulletproof, so a bit of water splashing round is NOT going to cause the engine to die. Nor do you need to rev the engine to stop water entering the exhaust pipe - if you don't believe me try putting your hand over the tailpipe when your car is ticking over!
What WILL kill your engine is sucking water up the air intake, and the higher the engine revs the more water you'll suck in and the more violently it will stop the engine.
If the air intake gets below the water level the engine WILL stop, end of story. If it's ticking over at c. 750rpm you might get away without damage, if you are slipping the clutch at 3000rpm then the chances of engine survival are very much diminished.
These days, car electrics are more or less bulletproof, so a bit of water splashing round is NOT going to cause the engine to die. Nor do you need to rev the engine to stop water entering the exhaust pipe - if you don't believe me try putting your hand over the tailpipe when your car is ticking over!
What WILL kill your engine is sucking water up the air intake, and the higher the engine revs the more water you'll suck in and the more violently it will stop the engine.
If the air intake gets below the water level the engine WILL stop, end of story. If it's ticking over at c. 750rpm you might get away without damage, if you are slipping the clutch at 3000rpm then the chances of engine survival are very much diminished.
.and breathe..2..3..4...sigh...twitchGassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff