'MIICROFICHE REFERENCE LIBRARY - Cd3wd.com

3.08 - 3.09Drive the car slowly thmugh Wet=, since high speed will result inwater being thrown up by the wheels and drowning the ignition system,stalling the car.A Diesel-powered vehicle such as the U-g or a Diesel band Roveroffers the advantage of haying no ignition system. It is consequentlymuch n-me reliable for fording than a gasoline engine.If current in the stream threatens to wash the car downstream, attachthe winch cable to a tree on the other side before starting across. If thereis nowinchonthe car,putawire cable across the streamalongthe downstreamside of the ford area to act as a guide for the car. This cable shouldbe securely anchored to trees or rocks on each side.After completing the ford, check to see that the brakes are working.If they got wet and are ineffective, hold the brake pedal down lightly whiledriving; the heat will dry the brake linings and restore stopping power.If the fan belt got wet while crossing it rray slip and fail to coolthe radiator or turn the generator. For a quick check, look at theamneter. If it shows a discharge rather than a charge, the belt is probablyslipping. Stop and dry the belt with a rag.Fording with a trailer can be simplified by unhitching one trailerand sending the car across first, thentowing the traileracrosswith alengthof wirerope. cIf the water is deep enough to cover the exhaust pipe, the pressure intheexhaustsystemmayre,ticeenginepoweror stalltheengine. Once theengine has stopped the water pressure will make it virtually impossible torestart, and the car will have to be towed out.Ifacar is driven into water that is too deep, or where thebottom is unsatisfactory, it may stall or capsize or both. Stalling onland is of little consequence, but in water may be a serious matter. Extraattention to fording is therefore worthwhile.3.09 submerningSubmerging accidents may result from a broken bridge, a ford that istoo deep, or from slipping off an adjacent road into deep water. In all ofthese cases the accident can be avoided by the exercise of sufficient care.As outlined in section 2.01, it is well worth the trouble to mvethe doors if a submerging accident is even a remote possibility. Thissimple expedient can be a real life-saver.If submerging is inevitable, it is important to shut off the enginebefore it goes under water. This will prevent the pistons from drawingwater into the cylinders and trying to compress it as they do the gas-airvapor. Water cannot be compressed, and the engine will be ruined in theattempt.