Here are a few tips you should keep in your mind while driving in the monsoon season or driving the car through floodwater.
The monsoon has arrived and with it comes the threat of floods. Driving through rains is something that we all want to do. Water logging or floods are quite common in India and there are situations wherein you have to wade through water. If you are a regular driver then you must know that how tough it is to drive in the monsoon season. Here are five tips that you should follow while driving in a flood.
Wait for the stretch to clear
We should make sure that the complete stretch of water is empty for you, for the vehicle to pass through the water. Avoid entering it, in case you think that the depth of water is too much. Keep checking the Google Maps, follow traffic updates, talk to people on the road and find alternative routes. The key point is to pass through the water in one go without stopping.
Don't shift your gears
While driving through a flood, shifting the gears is not advisable. Try holding the same gear by increasing RPM, instead of shifting gears. In case, you shift gears the exhaust builds backpressure and the water gets stuck in the engine. There is no need for you to shift to a lower gear while driving, it could lead to the car stalling.
Use headrests to break the windows
If you happen to be stuck in your car surrounded by water, where your doors are jammed due to pressure and windows are not working, you can use your car’s headrest as a glass breaker to set free. Even though it is advisable to keep a small hammer in the car’s boot for emergency situations.
Drive through the centre
Always the drive-through centre of the road to avoid your wheel getting stuck in the open manhole or potholes. If you hit something while driving, just continue moving forward and check the vehicle for damages once you are out of water.
Safely disconnect the battery
The battery is the heart of your car. You all must be aware that electricity and water do not play together. If you can, disconnect the battery of your car. It will avoid any accidental short circuits and will keep the electrical system safe. Once you reconnect, check whether all the electrical systems carefully and if you see any disturbance or flickering, turn the engine off and contact your mechanic.
Hope these pointers will keep you safe!
