Does anyone have any info/suggestions or concerns for driving in a deep puddle? What are the risks involved and how deep a puddle can the Prius wade through? Is there a higher risk of electrical shortage? That's one of my big concerns since in SoFL, when it rains, it can sometimes pour and cause local flooding!! Thoughts?
I wouldn't go in anything deeper than the floorpan. Prius no doubt has waterproof connectors but... Mike Mobile on my SGH-i717
There's a lot of things that can go wrong. The HV system's connectors are high enough up that they won't be affected, as far as I know (from the battery to the inverter, both of which are fairly high up - not sure where the connection from the inverter to the MG is, though). But, like any other car, you can get water into the air intake, or other wiring at the floor level (like for the airbags) that will cost many thousands of dollars to fix. The ground clearance is only about 5-6 inches. The best thing you can do is turn around and find a different route.
I've been trapped by rising flood waters with no way to return. I waited until another car came watched how high the water reached on it and followed. The water was up to the top of the door sills on the Prius but no water came in and we got through without problems. I really didn't want to be stuck between the two flood events as I knew that that whole flood plain can go under. We were 60 Kms from the nearest town. I hope to never repeat that experience, but who can predict freak weather?
Check out this guy: Saturday, one of ~6 stream crossings in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Get out there and explore! : prius
