108 Driving
Driving Through Water
Driving Through Standing Water
CAUTION: If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, the water can come in through your engine’s
intake and badly damage your engine. NEVER drive through
water that is just slightly lower than the underbody of your
vehicle. If you do need to drive through deep puddles or
standing water, do so very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
NEVER attempt to drive through flowing water and DO NOT
ignore police warning signs about flooded areas.
REASON: Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through flowing water, your vehicle
can be carried away. As little as six inches of flowing water
can carry away a smaller vehicle. If this happens, you and
the other vehicle occupants could drown.
Hyrdroplaning
Hydroplaning happens when so much water builds up under your
tires that they actually ride on the water with little or no contact
with the road. Hydroplaning is most likely to occur when there is
standing water on the road and you are going at higher speeds. The
best defense against hydroplaning is to slow down on wet roads
and make sure that your tires have a good amount of tread because
hydroplaning is more likely to occur when your tires are worn.
Winter Driving
You should always be prepared for deteriorating road condi-
tions during the winter. Make sure your MV-1 is ready for win-
ter driving. Tires, brakes and wipers should all be in good
working order. You should also avoid driving with low fuel in
the tanks during the winter so you do not run out of fuel during
poor weather conditions and to keep condensation from form-
ing in the tanks because of the cold.
It is also a good idea to store some winter emergency supplies
in your vehicle. Include an ice scraper, small brush or broom,
extra windshield washer fluid, flashlight, a red cloth and
reflective warning triangles. You may also want to include a
small bag of sand and a piece of old carpet or burlap bags to
provide traction in case you get stuck in the snow. Make sure
to properly secure all items in your vehicle.
If your vehicle is operated in a heavy snow storm or blowing
snow conditions, the engine air induction may become par-
tially clogged with snow and/or ice. If this occurs, the engine
may experience a significant reduction in power output. At the
earliest opportunity, clear all the snow and/or ice away from
the air induction inlet.
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