Is This True
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Houston Texas
Is This True
I was talking with someone and they said that if enough water gets in the car the trunk and doors will automatically pop open to allow for you to escape. Is this true?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Winter Park FL
Race Director
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From: Retired but working
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No it's not a safety feature it's just the nature of electric windows. Headlights will usually stay on until the battery craps out.
You can drive it too is you have a long enough snorkle.
If you are headed to Europe take along enough O2.
"Geeze" some people ought to ride the bus.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
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From: Winter Park FL
Hey, I don't now much about windows. Just curious. Every time I see some idiot stuck in flood waters on the news they are up to the windows in water but I never noticed thier windows being down.
Team Owner
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
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People have a tendency to panic if their car goes underwater. I was in Para Rescue and spent half my career under water or parachuting to the water. If the windows are down you just undo the eatbelt and bail. If you have a targa unlatch it and bail. If the windows are up roll them down. This crap about letting the car fill up to equalize the pressure is just that crap. the windows will go down. For that to be a problem you'd have to be down at 150 feet or so. Not to many boat ramps that drop off that quick. Most people that drown in a car are found with their seat belt still on. Go figure. It's best to relax. Sit back have a smoke, undo the seat belt, roll down the window and head up to the surface.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
People have a tendency to panic if their car goes underwater. I was in Para Rescue and spent half my career under water or parachuting to the water. If the windows are down you just undo the eatbelt and bail. If you have a targa unlatch it and bail. If the windows are up roll them down. This crap about letting the car fill up to equalize the pressure is just that crap. the windows will go down. For that to be a problem you'd have to be down at 150 feet or so. Not to many boat ramps that drop off that quick. Most people that drown in a car are found with their seat belt still on. Go figure. It's best to relax. Sit back have a smoke, undo the seat belt, roll down the window and head up to the surface.
No shi!!??
I'm SURE I can relax and be calm if this happens... Oh yeah...
:bb :bb
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 763
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From: Oceanside Ca
Myth Busters Episode?
Hate to burst your bubble on this one, but...once the water touches the battery terminals, and gets into the electric window switches, normal electrical circuit behavior (sorry about the pun CF members!
!) goes out the window. Electricity, whether AC (alternating current, like in your home and car alternator) or DC (direct current, like in your electric windows and battery) depends on the wiring and storage or source to carry the electrocmotive force. Once water invades the environment, it provides a quicker route. If you think your electric windows will lower once a vehicle is completely immersed in water, try showering with a hair dryer! Exact same principle. This would be a great episode for "Myth Busters", no kidding.
!) goes out the window. Electricity, whether AC (alternating current, like in your home and car alternator) or DC (direct current, like in your electric windows and battery) depends on the wiring and storage or source to carry the electrocmotive force. Once water invades the environment, it provides a quicker route. If you think your electric windows will lower once a vehicle is completely immersed in water, try showering with a hair dryer! Exact same principle. This would be a great episode for "Myth Busters", no kidding.
Race Director
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From: Retired but working
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Sorry, but cars, like airplanes electrical systems will continue to operate. The headlights (like landing lights) will stay lit and the windows will work. In some cases the radio will even play.
If there is no impact damage there are a lit of things that will remain functional. In one case a Lear jet ran off the end of the runway and the port engine continued running as it was out of water. the rescuers had to chase the plane around the bay to get the people out.
Old tube type electrical systems will crap out.
You are right though, it would be fun to see on mythbusters.
If there is no impact damage there are a lit of things that will remain functional. In one case a Lear jet ran off the end of the runway and the port engine continued running as it was out of water. the rescuers had to chase the plane around the bay to get the people out.
Old tube type electrical systems will crap out.
You are right though, it would be fun to see on mythbusters.
Race Director
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From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Episode 72: Underwater Car
Last edited by Bob CTS; Jun 15, 2007 at 12:09 PM.
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From: Retired but working
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1. Corvette
2. Speed = 165 mph
3. Bridge - While in air light up a smoke, stick your head between your legs (Doesn't protect you it's so you can kiss your a$$ good by)
4. Seat Belts on/off
5. Impact - Air Bags Really doesn't matter as they will probably find you stuffed in the glove box.
6. Car sinks upside down or right side up?
7. Life Insurance paid up.
8. Wife/girlfriend finds hunk to spend insurance money on.
9. If you live hold your breath as long as possible, you can not breath water. (NOTE: that you probably won't be able to move as all your bones will be smashed to mush [See 2])
10. If by some stretch of the imagination live through it, you will probably look like a bucket of smashed a$$holes and be eating through a straw.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 471
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From: Boston MA
Cant speak for corvettes, but my saab flooded during Katrina - had 8ft of water at my house. When I came back to see the damages all my airbags had deployed on the drivers side and the seat was reclined.
Just my 0.02 cent story for ya.
Just my 0.02 cent story for ya.
Race Director
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From: Retired but working
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This thread is getting strange.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Follansbee West Va
They did one, submerged a Ford Tempo or Taurus cant remember and the window did work under water but was not strong enough till the pressure inside and outside equalized, same as with manual windows. Both would just strip the gears until the car filled w/ water.
Episode 72: Underwater Car
Episode 72: Underwater Car
