Road flooded.... Now what with your EV?
-
BMW i4 Reservation Tracker: Add Yours Here!
1 - 20 of 39 Posts
Joined
·
26 Posts
I think the Rivian is rated to 3 feet. It’s an interesting question.
I’m not an automotive engineer, but I know enough about the design to understand that the battery packs have sealant to prevent water intrusion, as do the HV connectors. I think these EVs are designed for minor and brief inundation, like driving through a road with 1-1.5 feet of standing water. I’d be more worried if the water level were high enough to flood the components under the hood, where you have the LV battery, HV battery coolant pumps, and other components that aren’t as well protected.
Joined
·
37 Posts
I worked for an auto supplier in undergrad, and have a lot of friends in the industry now, the battery pack should be sealed enough for driving like this for short periods of time, it's not going to be designed for long term soaking.
But Honestly, an EV will probably be better as I'm less worried about the battery seals (which you'd want to maintain a constant low humidity inside anyway), than flooding an engine air intake.
But Honestly, an EV will probably be better as I'm less worried about the battery seals (which you'd want to maintain a constant low humidity inside anyway), than flooding an engine air intake.
Joined
·
243 Posts
You just have to make sure that your tires hook up so you can get the jump on the C8 that lined up next to you... Oh and "ONLY IN frickin' Florida"
Edit Mod: Bad language (half-hidden isn't enough...I don't want to recognize the word)
The owners handbook for the i4 is pretty clear about driving though floods page 297 Driving through water states
It then goes on to state that driving through excessively deep water too fast can result in water getting under the bonnet or into electrical system or transmission. There is a risk of material damage.
- only drive through still water
- only drive through water up to a max depth of 25cm or 9.8 inch
- drive through water at a walking speed of no more than 5km/h or 3mph
It then goes on to state that driving through excessively deep water too fast can result in water getting under the bonnet or into electrical system or transmission. There is a risk of material damage.
Joined
·
243 Posts
Lol, there is speculation that the mid-engine design is what let it go through. The intake isn't right there in front of the car. They said it looked like an actual stingray in the water.
Joined
·
37 Posts
I'd imagine that ICE cars have similar numbers in the manual.
Just a note that just because it made it through doesn't mean it wasn't damaged. Water may have gotten into the cabin, into a bunch of components where it shouldn't be. Worse, that's probably salt water. We had a tropical storm here in Florida recently and the video is in the aftermath.
Long story short - I would never attempt that in any car, ICE or EV.
Joined
·
243 Posts
Oh I suspect there's damage. I figure that it possibly made it into the exhaust system, and then there's just water that can creep inside the fender liners. The owner of this car, I would say they probably have more money than sense, but if that were the case they would probably have their Corvette in storage and would've found another way to traverse the waters. I figure any service department in Florida is going to study this video and void any warranty claims. Oh well, this is why we can't have nice stuff...
BEV's will definitely fair better than an ICE equivalent. The main concern with an ICE is water down the intake and you flood the block. Side issues are water getting into electronics, or engine seals and damaging. BEV has similar but everything is sealed pretty well.
Of course if I saw this in real life, I would turn the car around and not go down that road. Not worth it. When I lived in hurricane prone areas, I'd pay to park my fun car in a local hotels garage structure when we were expecting major storms so it wouldn't flood if anything happen and keep the beater at the house ready to go.
Of course if I saw this in real life, I would turn the car around and not go down that road. Not worth it. When I lived in hurricane prone areas, I'd pay to park my fun car in a local hotels garage structure when we were expecting major storms so it wouldn't flood if anything happen and keep the beater at the house ready to go.
Joined
·
243 Posts
I don't know if anything is safe these days...
Better just pray (error pay) for good insurance.
True, I think insurance is the only real savior. Maybe it would pay enough to upgrade to a Taycan
You will be lucky if the insurance lets you pay for a new i4. Insurance pays "car value" based on insurance tables not replacement cost.True, I think insurance is the only real savior. Maybe it would pay enough to upgrade to a Taycan
This was four years ago........but yeah, nothing is safe these days it seems.
1 - 20 of 39 Posts
Join the discussion
