For a tropical country like Malaysia, we usually experience the monsoon season by the end of the year.
Such heavy downpours resulting in heavy floods usually occur on the East Coast states, mainly Kelantan and Terengganu.
Last year, we faced heavy floods on a larger scale, with many parts of Peninsular Malaysia affected, including Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
Most roads in the city were covered with water, at least at waist level. So, what do you do if you have to wade through flooded roads? What happens if your car is caught in the flood?
As precautions, we share some tips that you may use if your car has to wade through flooded roads.
Ways to safely drive your car through flooded roads
If you are ever caught in a flooded road, the first thing to do is check your map to see if there are alternative routes you can take to reach your destination without passing through the flood.
Follow these driving tips to help you through flooded roads.
Don’t drive too fast
Driving fast through water is dangerous. It can severely damage your vehicle as it can cause a splash into your engine bay.
Your tires can also lose contact with the road, causing you to lose steering control. If that happens, do not brake your vehicle. Slowly remove your foot from the acceleration pedal and keep your steering wheel straight until your tires grip again.
Drive slowly while crossing the deep water. Do not ever bring your car to a halt as that would allow water to get into the exhaust. Keep the engine revs up and select the lowest gear possible.
Do not restart your engine if your vehicle halts
If your car halts while wading through the floodwaters, ensure that you do not restart your engine immediately. Doing so will only cause more damage to your engine by letting water in.
If the water level is rising, please try to get out of your car. The pressure of the water outside may prevent your doors from opening. You could try using force by pushing the door with both of your legs.
You may use your headrest or other tools such as a car safety hammer to break one of the door windows to escape safely.
Switch off the air-conditioning
Make sure to switch off your air-conditioning when going into the floodwaters.
Many car compressors are located close to the ground in the engine bay. The compressor may be damaged if the air conditioner compressor gets soaked in water.
As a result, the electrical parts of the compressor or other parts of the AC electrical system such as relays, wiring, or switches may get damaged during the flood.
Drive along with the highest point of the flooded roads
Most roads dip down at either side, so aim to drive in the middle of the road.
To be safe, wait for oncoming cars to get through the flooded road before you attempt to cross the floodwater. The wave from other vehicles can push you off course or drown your vehicle, causing it to break down.
Check the water depth
If you are unsure of the water depth, you may first observe other vehicles go through the flooded area. This way, you will know whether your car can go through the water.
Typically, a car will lose power in depths greater than 15cm. The water will enter the exhaust and wash into the air intake, causing it to float once the flood level exceeds 30cm.
The maximum depth most experts advise you to drive a standard car through water is 10cm.
Take an alternative route
If you can, try to avoid driving through deep, fast-flowing roads by taking another route.
It is better to be late than risk your car’s engine and other electrical components.
Be safe, try to avoid flooded roads
We hope this article will help you if you ever get stuck on a flooded road. But do remember to leave your car if the flood starts to worsen as your life is much more important.
Don’t worry. You may still save your car despite it being submerged in floodwaters by following the tips and getting the special perils cover. We also recommend bringing your vehicle to a workshop as soon as you pass the flooded roads for inspection.
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