The Victoria Napolitano Bookstore THE DRIVING COMPANY WORKBOOK | Page 20

We have all seen the motorist who ventures into the
water accumulated under an overpass after a storm
only to find it is roof high. When you encounter wa-
ter, get out and check how deep it is before ventur-
ing across. The deeper it gets, the less traction you
get because the tires and vehicle body provide some
floatation because they are filled with air. You may
need to put the waders on and walk out there to see
if there are any deep holes or big rocks that could
damage your vehicle.
speed to develop a bow wave in front of the vehi-
cle in order to keep the engine compartment in the
trough of the wave. This is a myth. Slow is the way
to go! If you watch the engine compartment while
driving through deep water, you will see that water
comes through the grill and swirls around. There is
no “trough.”
If the water has a swift current, then be especially
careful. It is easier than you think to get swept down-
stream. When in doubt, find another way to cross or
don’t cross it at all. Hot vehicle parts like wheel bearings placed in cool
water will create a vacuum caused by the change in
temperature. This will cause perfectly good seals
to suck in water. If your area requires frequent wa-
ter crossing, then be sure your maintenance people
monitor things like bearings, differentials, and trans-
fer case to keep them free of moisture.
Know where your vehicle is vulnerable to drawing in
water. Your differentials have vents, your engine has
an air intake, and your transmission and transfer case
have vents. Some people advocate getting up enough You can ride the brakes a little with your left foot
as you exit the water to expedite the drying process.
Your brakes may not work properly until they are
dry.
WATER
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