Summary of questions about wet brake pads when driving through water

During the rainy season, one of the things that many drivers are concerned about is flooding, which causes them to drive through water and may cause their brake pads to get wet. Therefore, in this article, we have guidelines for driving through floodwater safely, including how to dry them if they have to face the situation of wet brake pads.

Tips for driving through floodwater

For those wondering what to do if you have to drive through water, we have summarized some easy methods that you can follow as follows:

Slow down and drive slowly. A safe way to drive through water for the engine is to drive at a low speed of about 10-20 kilometers per hour because driving slowly will reduce the impact of water on the car and help the driver control the car better. It also reduces the chance of water entering the exhaust system or engine.
Keep a distance from the car in front. You should leave a distance of 2-3 times more than normal because more distance will give you more time to respond to an emergency.
Drive behind a large vehicle with higher wheels, such as a truck or SUV because the car's wheels will help to divert the water flow, clear the way, and reduce the risk of water entering the engine compartment. But don't forget to leave an appropriate distance as well.
Use low gears, such as 1st or 2nd gear because using low gears to drive through water will make it easier to control the car. It also helps prevent water from entering the exhaust pipe.
Turning off the air conditioner is an important preventive measure because it reduces the chance of water entering the exhaust system, which may lead to engine damage.
Keep your foot on the gas pedal because maintaining speed will help create pressure in the exhaust pipe, preventing water from flowing back into the engine.
Avoid sudden braking because it can easily cause the car to lose control and cause an accident. You should use a gradual deceleration method instead.
Avoid areas with strong currents because the current can blow the car off the road.
Close the car windows to help prevent water from entering the car, which can damage electronic devices and seats.
Turn on the headlights because turning on the headlights will increase visibility in bad weather conditions and help other cars see more clearly.
Do not restart the engine if the engine is off. If the engine stops while driving through water, water may enter the engine and cause severe damage.
Do not turn off the engine immediately after reaching your destination. Instead, let the engine run for a while to allow the systems to cool and remove moisture.
When driving through water, be careful to reduce the risk of engine damage.

After driving through water and getting your brake pads wet, how can you fix it to dry?

As for what to do after driving through water and getting your brake pads wet and preventing engine efficiency from decreasing, here are some tips:

Park in a safe place. Park your car away from heavy traffic and flooded areas. If possible, it should be on a slight slope to allow water to drain out of the brake system more easily.
Turn off the engine for safety before proceeding to the next step.
Open the car door to ventilate the interior and reduce moisture, which is part of the process that helps the brake pads dry.
Steep on the brakes gently, or what many people call "licking the brakes" about 10-15 times. This method will help drain water from the brake pads and make them dry faster. Do it carefully and do not use too much force.
Check by an expert. After going through a flood, the car should be taken to a garage for a specialist to thoroughly inspect and fix, especially the brake system. If the brake pads are found to be worn or severely worn, they should be replaced for driving safety. All of these are the practices while and after driving through water that car owners should never overlook. Because cars that have been through floods or parked in water for a long time will damage the brake pads and brake system, resulting in reduced driving efficiency.

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References

How to drive through flooded water safely, with peace of mind and without engine stalling. Retrieved June 24, 2024 from https://www.scb.co.th/th/personal-banking/stories/home-car/driving-through-flooded-water.html

What to Do Before, During, and After Driving Over a Flood. Retrieved June 24, 2024 from https://automart.ph/blog/driving-over-flooded-roads-what-to-do-before-during-and-after-driving-over-a-flood