What depth water safe to drive through?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by midpitts, Dec 15, 2024.

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  1. midpitts

    midpitts New Member

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    Sorry if this has been answered before. I haven't figured out how to do a search inside the Prius Prime section of PriusChat.

    I have a 2018 Prius Prime Advanced. I live in Florida and we can get a lot of rain that will flood our streets. Can anyone tell me what depth is safe for the car to drive through before electronics, engine, motor etc are put at risk? Thanks for your guidance.
     
    #1 midpitts, Dec 15, 2024
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    General rule is, If you can't see the pavement through the water - Your not supposed to drive trough it. I don't even know how your going to figure out the depth of water in a 4ish inch ground clearance car - but if you want a number - it's 4 inches. Your engine intake snorkel is much higher, but you'll probably end up with water invading the car as it gets above the door sills.
     
    #3 BiomedO1, Dec 16, 2024
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  4. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Deep water could mean it's flooding out part of the road leaving a big sink hole. And if it's sea water, then any amount of that water is too deep as it will spray your car with corrosive salt water.
     
    #4 Isaac Zachary, Dec 16, 2024
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  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Salt water is also highly conductive, dirty water too

    You need to trade your Prime in for a BYD U8o_O:eek::whistle:

     
    #5 BiomedO1, Dec 16, 2024
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2024
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  6. midpitts

    midpitts New Member

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    Wow! I love my Prius Prime and I'm not going to go into water you were close to that depth, I hope. Do you know if that is a plug in hybrid?
     
    #6 midpitts, Dec 17, 2024
  7. midpitts

    midpitts New Member

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    Good rule and one I plan to abide by, but there are times when it is difficult to see how deep it is, at night or during heavy rains, for instance. I guess it isn't too much of an issue in normal rain driving, just worried about the heavy rains that are coming more often these days.

    I figured it might get the the carpets wet but wonder how much higher the vital electrical/ mechanical components might be if I am in a situation where I don't have a choice but to go through.
     
    #7 midpitts, Dec 17, 2024
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The old Ranger once had a flotation option.
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    How fast you're going also a factor. Anything over an inch, I'd slow to a crawl.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Dec 17, 2024
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  10. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Move, as it will only get deeper:eek:
     
    #10 Zythryn, Dec 17, 2024
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  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    #11 Prodigyplace, Dec 17, 2024
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    kiwiscoot Member

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  13. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Saw one guy who went through high water in reverse and if you go fast enough the wake on rear of the direction you travel will keep water level lower than it is.
     
    #13 PriusCamper, Dec 17, 2024
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    His exhaust might be steamy after that. :whistle:
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Dec 17, 2024
  15. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I believe there's a control board under the rear passenger seat. It's no more than an inch, if that, above the door sill. There's also a question of all the floor panel plugs being in place and how easily they can get dislodged.

    Just my 2-cents...
     
    #15 BiomedO1, Dec 17, 2024
  16. midpitts

    midpitts New Member

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    Now that would be really cool, if they had a hybrid electric version.
    Now that is the kind of information I was looking for. I did take a measure tape and measured from my garage slab to just below the door sill and it looks like 11". Just a case of what other electrical type components are below the level of the door sill. I may double check the answer with my regular mechanic next oil chg.... or is this a Toyota service center type of question. Thanks so much.
     
    #16 midpitts, Dec 17, 2024
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  17. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Other strategy is to wait and see how other vehicles handle it and then if water looks low enough, closely follow the biggest vehicle that's displacing the most water.
     
    #17 PriusCamper, Dec 17, 2024
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  18. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    I’m not sure I’d put to much faith in what the Toyota Service Department says (JMHO). But you might want to consider searching through your Owners Manual. I just did a word search on my version in Files on my phone and found a significant amount of information that was actually useful. Enough for me to suggest avoiding driving through flood waters unless you had absolutely no other option. Just my two cents.
     
    #18 Doug McC, Dec 17, 2024
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  19. midpitts

    midpitts New Member

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    Now that another good idea! Thanks!
     
    #19 midpitts, Dec 17, 2024
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  20. midpitts

    midpitts New Member

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    I did try looking in my paperback owners manual, but didn't find anything under flood or water. What word did you use to search?
     
    #20 midpitts, Dec 17, 2024
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