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S80 '98-'06 / S60 '00-'09 / V70 & XC70 '00-'07 General Forum for the P2-platform S60 / V70 / XC70 / S80 models |
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Wading depth on flooded roadsViews : 5519 Replies : 28Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Nov 26th, 2012, 13:28 | #1 |
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Wading depth on flooded roads
What with all the flooding we've had I've been thinking a lot about wading depth as I've had to go through some fairly deep flooded roads: obviously the penalty for getting it wrong is massive due to hydraulic lock but I've used common sense and the proper technique of going slowly but fast enough to create a bow-wave (I've seen some right idiots go hammering into water far too fast).
I was just curious about other people's experiences of 'fording'/'wading' and whether there is actually a specified wading depth for different vehicles other than the XC range which have one quoted. Luckily my 2005 V70 2.4 petrol has the air intake up high, behind the grille underneath the slam panel...but still worried that there should be other factors to consider when assessing whether to wade through or not and I'm always slightly worried about pushing my luck!
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Nov 26th, 2012, 13:33 | #2 |
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this is why the 4C models need a "Ford" mode where the suspension jacks the whole car up 8 inches off the ground
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Nov 26th, 2012, 14:01 | #3 |
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This is only my personal choice but I generally won't ford water if I think it will come up to the sills.
Hydraulic lock is a major problem and I don't think even water at sill depth would pose a problem where this is concerned but I don't like the idea of chassis cavities being filled with water. I think the advice from motoring organisations is to avoid standing water deeper than half a wheel deep.
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Nov 26th, 2012, 15:59 | #4 | |
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Also. cautionary tale, pal of mine drowned his A4 petrol in 12" of water, sucked water in, motor u/s, car write-off, and to add insult to injury the AA wouldn't come out to him 'cos it was "his own fault" !!! The "fourth emergency service" - don't believe it....... AG Last edited by Auldgit; Nov 26th, 2012 at 15:59. Reason: missed words |
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Nov 26th, 2012, 17:06 | #5 |
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and please be careful where the water is moving. what seems like a slow moving stream can move 2 ton of metal very very easily.
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Nov 26th, 2012, 17:29 | #6 |
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Having worked in an area that was prone to flooding, one of the biggest issues they had was people driving through and creating the bow wave. This would then cause a swell that would go over the sand bags and flood their house... understandably they were getting a bit pi$$ed off with them....
If you can avoid it do so, even if it is going a longer route. Personally I wouldn't drive a petrol through any depth of water; the electrics are too delicate. Also the height of the bonnet isn't that high if someone else is coming towards you creating a bow wave; the clapotis that results may well go into your air intake. As someone has said, it doesn't take a lot to push a car sideways; in fact in Aus it's quite common for people out 4wding in a group for the pickups to get washed downstream, whilst the Land Cruiser/Patrol is fine; it's all to do with the weight in the back.
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Nov 26th, 2012, 17:34 | #7 | |
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If its the new shaped XC70 the details are:- Vehicle Ground Clearance, mm 210 With 2 Persons, mm 195 Wading Depth, mm 300 Approach Angle 19° Departure Angle 24° Breakover Angle 20° http://www.volvocars.com/uk/Document...-pricelist.pdf
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Nov 26th, 2012, 17:38 | #8 |
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Unusual question?
My policy has always been, if it's too deep, the car will come to a grinding halt. If it looks like it's too deep, I don't bother trying
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Nov 26th, 2012, 17:47 | #9 |
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I also won't even think about it if I can't see the end of the flood.
I guess the bottom line comes down to: how much is your car worth to you as a tool/asset vs how much it is worth to you to ford this section of flooded road? I can't imagine that in many scenarios the inconvenience of not making it to your destination on time, or even at all, outweighs the repair/replacement cost of your car should the worst happen.
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Nov 26th, 2012, 17:52 | #10 | |
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