How deep is too deep? Emergeny tool & possible damage.

[SinnieC]

With all the flooding happening out here in central QLD I'd like to know what's the maximum depth people here would be willing to drive their car through (Standard, not lowered). Also with all the cars that have electric windows in them should a standard feature be a tool to break the window in case of emergency?

Last week I attempted to get across the highway at Taroom just before it was closed. The flood inicators showed a fair way under 0.2 and the white lines on the highway where still visable but once the car was about 3-400 metres across the flooded area, I realised the water was flowing faster and the car started making a strange noise. I became really concerned at this point so threw it into reverse and got out of there quick smart.

After this I learnt that had the car stalled I would not have been able to wind down the electric windows and get out if the car started to be swept away and that scared the hell out of me 'cos apparently that's what happened to the woman who drowned in her car after it was swept away the other week.
Now I use to have a pocket knife looking gadget (survival knife purchased at a camping/army disposals store) that had a seatbelt cutter and a little pointed knob bit on it designed to break car windows etc but it was confiscated by police during a search of the car because they claimed it was a weapon so should dealers like Holden ect have to include such a tool in all cars sold with electric windows?

And lastly, what kind of damage can be done by taking a vehicle (other than a 4x4 etc) through water?

Cheers

[minux]

If i still owned a commodore, I'd over insure it to the hilt and drive through the deepest water I could find so i could buy a better car after it was written off and paid out

Seriously though, I wouldnt go through very deep water at all. Petrol engines hate it

[Johnsy]

The item shouldn't be illegal if it is attached to a breakable lead ( in case of emergency kind ) like they have in holden/ford wagons... but i guess you would want your hands on it pretty
quick if you were swept into a river... As for driving through water( if you hate your car ) you should be fine untill it reaches your air intake thus the need for snorkels on 4Wd's..

[Reaper]

I've driven thru stuff up to my door sill before very carefully. Think twice if it's running water though and go very slowly otherwise the water pressure could push thru your radiator and really ruin your day.

Reaper

[TVR-190]

On the JC camping trip i took my VP through a mud puddle, it was deep enough for water to come through the doors. Wouldnt go much more than that, especially in a car with bad door seals.

My friends old vx we took across a flooded weir, came up to bottom of doors, when we drove in on the way back we copped a wave over the front and stalled it. doesnt take much, especially depending where your air intake is.



BTW if you take on water through the air intake you may destroy the engine, we luckily didn't.

BTW, this is how its done.

Diesel with snorkel.

[Adds_05]

yeah ive driven in water that had a dip in the road in the middle of it,the water went up to about the bottom of the doors and ill never do that again, warped the discs and the car just didnt drive right for a little while after that

[Jesterarts]

Not particularly relevant, but this reminds me of when we had our last Marysville cruise and a VL turbo took on a DEEP puddle in a flooded carpark. Much LOL's were had.

I'd imagine having something like this would be perfectly legal:
Swiss Tech BodyGard 5-In-1 Emergency Tool

That or just have one of these in the glove box:
Discount SHIFTER - 24INCH JUMBO SIZE | SparesPlanet - Compare Prices & Save shopping in Australia

But yeah, definately one of those situations you don't think about until you're in it.

[Drawnnite]

you shouldnt need an emergency break glass tool. although its a good to have one if there is flood.
they showed this on mythbusters that they can work underwater. but i still wouldnt trust it in an emergency situation.

otherwise take it carefully and is the water is flowing (it can be faster underwater then on top) its probably best not to cross.
seen a few things on the news when people try and have no idea (last one i saw was a tourbus driver)

[SinnieC]

TVR-161....you're game taking the vx over that weir, water was flowing a bit too fast I reckon and screw that fella in the diesel lol!
l dunno about the shifter Jesterarts, I've seen a hammer bounce off a window before but then again could've just been a weak hit.....that swiss emergency tool looks pretty good though and I agree would probably be legal.
This (similar to what I had) isn't though, in case anyone has one in their car.


Think I'll just refrain from going through any water in the commodore from now on and look into getting a nissan navara or something. Better to be safe than sorry.

[2DIE]

Electric windows will still work if you stall your car, they work on the on/accessories position without the car running. Unless the electrics were shorted.

[Jesterarts]

Well, cause I'm hardcore I would just punch through the window.

But yeah, I imagine a tool specifically designed for the job would be the safer bet. Though you have to keep in mind that if your Windows are tinted you may still be in a pickle.

Perhaps the safest way to ensure you have escape route when you are forced cross deep water is to simply wind the window down before you attempt it?

Sent from my HTC Magic

[Deutscher]

Re. Diesel w/ Snorkel.

MY Eyes!! The windscreen wipers does nothing!

Edit: I'd never take my MR2 close to water lol.

[Trayner]

Or install a ejector seat haha

[Drawnnite]

or climb out the sunroof, and install a jetski system on the back (clarkson's hilux)

[MasterOfReality]

Its the running water that catches most people out.

They think it looks fine, not too deep and then shit themselves when their car gets swept off the road. When one litre weighs approximately 1kg, there is a lot of force behind what looks like moderately shallow running water.

Would be great if people used more common sense when it came to water crossings.

[Drawnnite]

Its the running water that catches most people out.
They think it looks fine, not too deep and then shit themselves when their car gets swept off the road. When one litre weighs approximately 1kg, there is a lot of force behind what looks like moderately shallow running water.

too true just need to float down a normal river like the murray to see how fast it flows, compared to what it looks to the eye.

probably wouldnt be bad to carry something that can float in the water to show the flow of it. preferably not your car keys.

[MasterOfReality]

When I'm driving out Middlemount/Nebo/Coppabella way I try to judge the depth with the flood indicators.

If its moving water then I turn back - not worth the risk. If I'm unsure of the depth then I don't cross.

[calais_cruzin]

Ill only ever take it up to the door sills, any higher its no go and walk it

Another rule that we used to go by all the time, if u cant walk thru it easy, the car isnt goin to either.

That is if u start to slide n loose balance walkin dont drive thru it

[TVR-190]

RE the big ass puddle i did in my VP

Drowned engine:





lucky i had drain holes in the airbox cause water definitely got in it.

[acarmody]

I would never drive through running water, way too dangerous.

But tip for anyone who does get stuck in running water, if your able too, open the damn doors.

[calais24/7]

I wouldn't drive through it at all. If i had to i wouldn't go through anything that is lapping at the bottom of the door sills.

[Sabbath']

Not particularly relevant, but this reminds me of when we had our last Marysville cruise and a VL turbo took on a DEEP puddle in a flooded carpark. Much LOL's were had.

Morton had a crack too Adventra faired pretty well

[SUSS8]

LOL @ THE 4X4 VIDEO.....water was like half way up to the windscreen and he still kept those wipers going!!

[acarmody]

Also LOLed at the Hilux video.

Point six of a metre, so they say...........I don't know who they're kidding

[nathanVY]

That diesel video is intense haha

I think this may be the reason she wasn't at work this morning

If you're planning on going through flooded areas BUY A BOAT.
Or keep inflatable life raft handy at all times