24/10/2020
The rainy season is upon us. Reminder to all members, old and new alike when crossing flooded streets/areas:
1) Even if your rig is lifted, fitted with a snorkel and diff breathers, if there's an alternative or you can wait a bit, avoid going through flooded streets.
2) Flood water is dirty and may come with health risks (Leptospirosis). It also comes free with a very unpleasant smell. So avoid or wait it out if you can.
3) In the event that there's no alternative and you can't wait it out.
• Estimate the depth. If it’s quite deep, better to be overpowered as you would not want to lose momentum and power while crossing - so engage 4L to ensure the rig will have enough power to pull through
• Wait for the road ahead to clear. Only cross when the road ahead is free from other vehicles. You would not want to be stuck in traffic on a flooded road.
• Unlock doors and open windows. It's not nice to get stuck inside a rig that's dead in the water.
• Be considerate of other rigs and people on the road. Don't splash flood water around when you cross. So cross slowly but surely.
4) Practice a deep water crossing under a controlled environment or at a driving center to be familiar with the controls and vehicle's response to the water obstacle.
5) Remove your seat belt to reduce the drowning risk if the vehicle overturns in the deep water; as an option, practice unbuckling your seatbelt while the belt is under tension.
6) Look out for any fallen electricity power line in the area of the flood.
7) Securely fasten your plate number to the vehicle with a backing plate and/or washers. A number plate mounted with 2 screws cannot take the pressure of the water getting bulldozed in front of the vehicle.
8) Install a recovery strap in advance before plunging into the water. Fitting a shackle and strap to a recovery point under water is not simple.
9) Install the wading plugs, where applicable.
(from the Suzuki Jimny 4x4 Club Of The Philippines® with my reminders).💪❤️