Flooding

[bulls96]

I am in an area with high likelihood of heavy rain from Hurricane Florence.

I am wondering what your experiences are driving thru flooded areas not the crazy waist deep floods but maybe more common half wheel height flooding.

In an ICE, driving thru flooded areas is accomplished as long as you keep the pedal on the gas to not let water in thru the exhaust pipes.

Our cars have batteries as floors, I wonder what are the guidelines out there in terms of driving thru mildly flooded areas.

THanks.

 

[Trevor B]

Why would anybody even try this?

otoh, why don't you give it a shot and let us know how it goes?

 

[Uncle Paul]

Reports seem to indicate that Tesla handled flooded areas like any other car. If the water gets into a critical area the car will stop.

All agencies advise against taking any vehicle through deep water.

Most ICE vehicles stall out in deep water due to shorted out electrical elements.

In the Tesla your main battery pack is pretty sealed up, but you are still taking a risk to attempt to drive through deep water. Having high voltages on board are another cause for reflection.

Some vehicles, like Jeeps or Land Rovers are specifically designed to ford streams and deep puddles. Their air intakes are mounted up high and have flaps to divert water from getting into the engines, but they also will stall out if the water gets too high.

Hope you make it through the storm coming your way. Looks like everything is going to get quiet a soaking. Maybe see if you can rent a Jeep or something with high clearance to get around the wet roads.
Maybe something you can even put a Kayak on the top.

 

[slipnslider]

I'd park it on the second level of the nearest parking garage. Even if a flood doesn't kill your car, it aint gonna escape without some damage, even if it's just mold.

 

[gaswalla]

Enjoy
Watch Elon Musk's Tesla car being used as a boat

Tesla Model S can be used as a boat in a pinch, Elon Musk confirms – Ars Technica

 

[bulls96]

Reports seem to indicate that Tesla handled flooded areas like any other car. If the water gets into a critical area the car will stop.

All agencies advise against taking any vehicle through deep water.

Most ICE vehicles stall out in deep water due to shorted out electrical elements.

In the Tesla your main battery pack is pretty sealed up, but you are still taking a risk to attempt to drive through deep water. Having high voltages on board are another cause for reflection.

Some vehicles, like Jeeps or Land Rovers are specifically designed to ford streams and deep puddles. Their air intakes are mounted up high and have flaps to divert water from getting into the engines, but they also will stall out if the water gets too high.

Hope you make it through the storm coming your way. Looks like everything is going to get quiet a soaking. Maybe see if you can rent a Jeep or something with high clearance to get around the wet roads.
Maybe something you can even put a Kayak on the top.

Thanks for this!

 

[sdrevik]

I wonder how well sealed the Model 3 is...

 

[wbhokie]

I wonder how well sealed the Model 3 is...

Depends on the panel gaps!

 

[Nocturnal]

works fine


Seriously though, do not try to cross water that is deeper than a few inches if at all possible. Water can change direction quickly and it doesn't take much to float a car and take you with it.

 

[MP3Mike]

The only issue I have seen is that people that forded 12"+ of water in a Model 3, at 10+ MPH, reported that their rear bumper cover came off.