# Fire trucks getting drowned out?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-trucks-getting-drowned-out/661601>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 22, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-trucks-getting-drowned-out/661601 "2013-06-22T00:10:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-trucks-getting-drowned-out/661601/21 "2013-06-26T17:57:34Z")

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> [@Gbro](#):
>
> First off its not a good idea to drive through deep water. TBS if you must and that happens one should wade through using all cautions that are prudent such as very slow moving etc.  
> Then if water is deep enough that the bumper is going to be in the water you can bet the drive belts will also be submerged and if so and one must cross and I have been in that situation, the drive belt should be removed and reinstalled as soon as the crossing is made.  
> The drive belts will carry a lot of water up into the engine compartment and could cause a stall. If I should ever have to drive through moving water I would consider opening doors to counter being washed off track.  
> Brakes will not work at all until they dry so ride the brakes right away after crossing and water over 4 inches deep.  
> When I drive on frozen lakes I keep doors open and windows open and I do not wear the seat belt.  
> A tearable tragedy a few years back where a baby secured in a infant seat died when the parents couldn’t get to baby when their vehicle broke through the ice on Lake of the Woods  
> [And here also,](http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=1007266)  
> Here is some common sense info on car in water emergency’s

For most vehicles, air intake is in the engine compartment. Belts, fans, alterntors, etc. will splash a lot of water up so that it could get into the air intake. If it does not flood the engine, it will wet and seal the air filter… all not good for an internal combustion engine. I imagine it only takes a few splashes of water in the cylinders to make it difficult for the fuel to burn. Plus, as others mentioned, you are going to short out electrical for gasoline engines, so no sparking. (Alternatiors are open air and I imagine don’t alternate well immersed. Dirty water might short out between the exposed battery posts, especially if it’s salt water?

Another issue I fould when driving around one day in deep puddles with a manual transmission Honda Civic - the clutch was not well sealed, and in one very deep puddle I suddenly felt the clutch slipping like crazy - water between the plates. Fortunately I made it out and the water squeezed out in a few seconds… Brakes will have the same problem - often in very wet weather the first second or so the brakes may not work.

Basically, some vehicles are designed for extreme water situations, most are not.

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