Mercury Bay Grey Power member, David Yeomans notes car buyers seldom ask about a vehicle’s wading depth, driving through water or any ‘submarine’ features it may have. It prompted him to raise the issue here.
In lay terms, ‘water wading depth’ is the measurement stated by the vehicle manufacturer as to the deepest water a car can drive through. Yet, given a stretch of flooded road, a significant number of submariner-minded drivers will plunge their vehicle into the watery abyss, often without a single thought.
When the vehicle stops in a cloud of steam their perplexed facial expressions must be priceless. Furthermore, most drivers can’t even tell you where the air intake for their car is!
Some drivers may have a vague notion of the depth of water their car can traverse. However, if asked straight out about the wading depth the response is likely to be a dim, blank stare.
The following list provides an approximate measurement of the wading depth of a selected few vehicles although everyone should check their vehicle User Manual to be sure.
- Toyota Hi Lux – 700mm
- Toyota Land Cruiser – 700mm
- Mitsubishi Pajero – 700mm
- Ford Ranger – 800mm
- Ford Explorer – 500mm
- Ford Edge – 450mm
- Skoda Yeti – 330mm
- Kia Sportage – 450mm
- Mini Cooper – 150 mm
If you don’t know the wading depth of your vehicle do not traverse flowing or ponded water covering a road.
Doctor Google and AA Motoring provide numerous tips on the manoeuvres required: www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/driving-through-flood-water
Now for the sanctimonious comment: When you drive without caution you place your life and other car occupants in harm’s way.
Additionally, you place the “responders’ to your dilemma in harm’s way.
