How dangerous is water for your car?

We are increasingly facing extreme weather conditions. Rainy and stormy weather brings large amounts of water onto the roads.

It is mainly about surface layers of water, but sometimes you can also encounter deeper water obstacles, such as those under overpasses.

Driving at speed through deeper puddles is unwise for two reasons – the first is safety, specifically the phenomenon of “aquaplaning,” where the car’s wheels lose contact with the asphalt and you feel like you’re sliding on ice in sneakers. The second reason is that this way of driving can be dangerous for the “health” of your vehicle.

Avoid water deeper than 10 centimeters or reaching above the wheel hubs, because most modern cars have low-mounted air intakes, which in this case can suck water into the engine - and this can lead to catastrophic consequences, such as water entering the cylinders, breaking piston rods due to overload.

For taller vehicles, like SUVs, this depth can be tolerated a little more, but don't overdo it.

So, avoid deep water – your vehicle is neither a ship nor a submarine – and please drive more carefully in rainy conditions. Increase your distance from the vehicle in front by two to four seconds, because braking distances in wet weather are much longer.

Electric vehicles are usually less sensitive to water, but that doesn't mean you should put them in deep water. /Telegraph/