XC90 T8 - wading depth

[AB-UK]

Maybe everyone knows already, but I've just learned something which puts a crimp into any notions I may have had regarding the XC90's off-road credentials.

It seems the wading depth for the diesel variants is 450mm, which is fairly reasonable for a "soft-roader".

However, for owners of a T8, the depth is only "Up to a depth approximately level with the floor at walking speed".

This would seem to rule out driving through large puddles on the road, nevermind a bit of "soft-roading".

[bluebarchetta]

Having come from a Discovery 3 with a raised air intake and occasionally having the water over the bonnet in raised mode the wading depth of the T8 is a bit limited.

[Jms153]

I’m not surprised that the t8 only has a wading depth of up to the floor level as the battery pack I presume is located under the floor pan.
The I last time I looked water and electricity doesn’t mix very well

I guess some owners would take them off road to forge the odd river or stream

To lighten the mood see attached video from a few years ago near to where I stay
It’s a BMW X3 if I remember
And that is the main road he is driving on

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-new...driver-7112469

[acb5]

Would one reason not be the height of the exhaust. In an ICE car the pressure in the exhaust keeps the water out, that's why stalling a car in water is such a problem. In a T8 running on battery or if the ICE cut out then the exhaust would fill with water and possibly cause a blockage.

[Director76]

Originally Posted by acb5

Would one reason not be the height of the exhaust. In an ICE car the pressure in the exhaust keeps the water out, that's why stalling a car in water is such a problem. In a T8 running on battery or if the ICE cut out then the exhaust would fill with water and possibly cause a blockage.

I think it might say something about fording with the ICE on in the manual

I can’t imagine water into the battery pack is a particular issue, it must be in a fully water sealed housing (at least from the bottom up!) to prevent general ingress during normal driving

D76

[Automatic Only]

It would probably be wise to have the car in AWD mode when fording in any case and that would force the engine on so might prevent the problem.

[JamesN7]

Originally Posted by Jms153

I’m not surprised that the t8 only has a wading depth of up to the floor level as the battery pack I presume is located under the floor pan.
The I last time I looked water and electricity doesn’t mix very well

I doubt that's the problem. Lithium and water are a bad combination, so it's a given that the battery pack is water tight.

It's located in the centre tunnel btw:



FWIW, the EV truck company Rivian is quoting a wading depth of around a meter, limited only by the fact that around that point the vehicle starts to float!

J

[jarm]

Im deciding between T6 and T8. Comparing specs I noticed difference in wading depth. Asked local dealer about it and he said wading depth for XC90 in general is 450mm, but for T8 is around floor level to avoid possible moisture buildup inside battery compartment.

It would be interesting to know if someone has tried to cross deeper water obstacles in T8 (around the general limit of 450mm)?

In 2008 XC90 3.2 I once had to cross a flooded section of road and suddenly my wheels were totally submerged. It has a brief crossing and luckily no water got inside the engine and I drove it trouble free for years. Not sure what would have happened in T8

[AB-UK]

A small snippet from a video showing the type of "soft" off-roading I think we'd all like to have a go at.

It's the sort of thing everyone thinks the XC90 should be more than capable of.

Such a shame that T8 owners can't join in!

Complete video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ben3A2EyRqk

[jarm]

Maybe the video I speed up, but they drove too fast. I'd drive slower be it B5, B6 or T8. Didn't see any deep water crossing there. T8 would be fine I think.

Found some pictures of T8 batteryback and it seems like a relatively sealed unit.