Flooded roads: With torrential rain and strong winds forecast to continue, motorists may be risking more than they think by driving through flooded roads.
Over the past week, Ireland's emergency and motoring organisations have been responding to a deluge of calls from drivers stranded because of flood-damaged to their vehicles.
And, with the severe weather forecast to continue, they are bracing themselves for more of the same. Ignorance is a major factor. "Many motorists have been caught out by driving through flooded areas not appreciating how deep the water is until it is too late," said one RAC spokesman this weekend.
Colin O'Connell, a senior examiner for Britain's Diamond Advanced Motorists puts it a little more bluntly: "People haven't got a clue. They charge through deep floods at an incredible speed, thinking that the quicker they get through the less chance there is of stalling, because the bow wave they create will somehow create an air space and protect the engine."
What in fact often happens is that water gets forced or sucked into the engine, and the car breaks down.
If your car is damaged as a result of driving through a flood, trying to claim on the manufacturer's warranty will be fraught with problems, says the AA's Conor Faughnan. "Cars are not designed to be driven through water, and so damage caused as a result of driving through a flood is generally not covered under warranty."
Although many garages, he says, will cover minor damage under goodwill, any major works will be at the customer's expense. As Faughnan says: "Drowning the car's electrics is very common problem and one of the main reasons we are called out during severe weather. Our advice is always the same: do not drive through floodwater. "
Confirming the motor industry's stand, the country's two biggest car importers, Ford and Toyota Ireland, both say that their warranties will not cover flood damage. The message, they say, is clear: if you drive through floodwater, you do so at your own risk. If you do come across a flood, the advice is to find an alternative route or wait for it to subside. If there is no alternative, get out and check the depth and the speed of the flow of the water. As little as 60 cm of water can cause an average car to float and much less than that can cause severe mechanical damage.
Many cars' air intakes are situated low down at the front and only a small amount of water sucked into the engine will cause serious damage. Ford warns diesel drivers to be particularly careful as even an egg-cup full of water sucked in through the air intake can ruin the engine. In addition, the importer warns that all drivers risk damaging their car's expensive catalytic converters by driving through floodwater.
If you must continue, then never drive through fast flowing water as your vehicle - even a 4X4 - could be swept away. As Brian Farrell from the National Safety Council, warns: "If the road is flooded by a river that has burst its banks, beware as the current may be strong enough to sweep your vehicle away."
But, if you are happy that the road is passable, then wait until it is clear of oncoming traffic and continue at a speed that is just fast enough to create a small bow wave.
Stay on the highest section of the road or, if this is not possible, stay away from the edges where the water is at its highest. Keep in first gear and keep the revs high (by slipping the clutch if necessary) otherwise water may enter via the exhaust. When you have cleared the flood, test your brakes progressively and thoroughly. If your car cuts out after or when driving through a flood, do not attempt to restart it as engine damage may occur - instead call for assistance and have the car checked.
As happened in Derry and Cork recently, motorists found street flooding had damaged their vehicles. According to the RAC, if your vehicle is flood damaged, there are several precautions you must take.
If water has entered the passenger compartment and the vehicle is fitted with an airbag, do not turn the ignition on as water in the electrical system may cause the bag to deploy. If the vehicle is not fitted with airbags, there may still be a risk of electrical short circuit or damage to the brake system that can cause further damage. Again, do not turn on the ignition and have the vehicle professionally checked.