Water and the car: that's what you need to know!

Thomas Wachsmuth 19 May 2022 Tips, products, information & Co.

Reading time 5 Min.

Recently updated on December 22, 2022 at 06:07 am

When precipitation comes from above, cars are protected from hail, storms and rain. This is thanks to the well-sealed body. However, parking lots and roads near bodies of water can be flooded during heavy rain, causing the water von unten increases. Cars usually cope well with splashing water. However, if water gets into the vehicle, it can damage the electronics and the batteries. Both electric vehicles and combustion engines are affected. And when driving fast through the water, there is a risk that the car will lose traction and float. SUVs and normal cars can usually drive at slow speeds in water depths of up to 25 centimeters without any problems. However, getting stranded cannot be ruled out if the water depth is higher.

Life hammer as an aid

More dramatic for the occupants than the damage to the vehicle is when the car threatens to go under. The danger is that the vehicle door cannot be opened if the water pressure is high. It is important that a window or sunroof is opened, before the car goes down, but at the latest when sinking in. The water has to get into the car, as this causes a Pressure equalization arises and which is essential for survival. Most modern vehicles are equipped with power windows. In these cases, only one will help rescue hammer, with which you can break the side window. Unlike windshields, which are made of laminated glass, side windows are easier to smash. The price of a rescue hammer is only around 10 euros. This usually includes one more belt cutter. Unfortunately, very few have the emergency hammer in their vehicle.

It is best to avoid unknown waters!

A defensive driving style is particularly important so that drivers do not put themselves at risk of flooding. If you cannot estimate the depth of the water on a flooded road, you should turn around and take a different route. The risk of the vehicle breaking down is quite high, which can have dramatic consequences. It is difficult to estimate the water depths, for example below those that are full underpasses. In the worst case, there is even a risk of drowning.

Attention at high tide

The consequential damage is difficult to estimate if a parked vehicle was trapped in the flood. However, damage is likely if the water has already penetrated the interior or has risen above the door sill. Here it is important to have all components that have come into contact with water checked by a workshop foreman. The belt tensioner should also be checked in such a situation. Therefore it is important that the car not started, rather towed away or in a dry place pushed will. The battery must then be disconnected and the vehicle taken to the workshop. Depending on how long it was in the water or how high the water level was, serious damage can be expected. If a car has gone under completely, one must economic total loss to be run out.

Partial coverage: not always possible!

In the event of flood damage, your own Car insurance be contacted immediately. the Partial coverage pays for vehicle damage if the car is parked in the flood area and it was no longer possibleto remove it in time. Damage must be about the instead Fully comprehensive processed if the driver was driving on a flooded road and water got into the engine as a result. The cause of damage here is namely the careless driving behavior.

Take warning signs seriously!

Areas at risk from flooding are normally through Warning signs marked. Such warning signs with the pictogram of a falling vehicle and waves indicate shore areas. Others too flood signs indicate the danger. If you want to park here, you have to pay attention to the weather forecast. The risk of flooding has increased significantly in recent years due to heavy rain. It is particularly high when it has been warm for a long time. The atmosphere can then absorb more moisture and during a hot thunderstorm the showers are very heavy. Heavy rain falls when more than 15 liters per m² per hour fall. However, if 40 liters per hour fall, then this is called extreme precipitation. Since the soil was usually allowed to dry out over a long period of time, it cannot absorb the large amount of water immediately. This can quickly lead to flooding because the water does not seep away. The many sealed areas in streets and cities also hardly allow the water to run off.

Windshield wipers with no chance and "white walls"

Heavy rain can occur in any region. However, there are areas that are particularly affected. Eastern Germany is a drier region that has less to contend with torrential rain. In the south of Germany, however, it is different due to the air masses from the Mediterranean. Here the air is warmer and more humid, which can lead to showers. Drivers in this region can literally “white walls" devices. These are formed when the air in the shower clouds cools down quickly. Even the strongest setting of the windscreen wipers is no longer sufficient here, and aquaplaning can quickly occur if the speed is too high.

In this case: Step off the gas and turn on the lights. Look for ruts and drive offset to these if possible. If the vehicle floats, then don't brake, do not accelerate, do not steer or perform sudden manoeuvres. Instead, let the vehicle roll on the road with the clutch disengaged and hold the steering wheel straight until it regains contact with the road.

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