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STARTING AND OPERATING 273
Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or
Other Standing Water
Puddles, pools, flooded or other standing water
areas normally contain murky or muddy waters.
These water types normally contain hidden
obstacles and make it difficult to determine an
accurate water depth, approach angle, and
bottom condition. Murky or muddy water holes
are where you want to hook up tow straps prior
to entering. This makes for a faster, cleaner and
easier vehicle recovery. If you are able to deter-
mine you can safely cross, than proceed using
the low and slow method.
Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or
Other Flowing Water
Flowing water can be extremely dangerous.
Never attempt to cross a fast running stream or
river even in shallow water. Fast moving water
can easily push your vehicle downstream,
sweeping it out of control. Even in very shallow
water, a high current can still wash the dirt out
from around your tires putting you and your
vehicle in jeopardy. There is still a high risk of
personal injury and vehicle damage with slower
water currents in depths greater than the
vehicle's running ground clearance. You should
never attempt to cross flowing water which is
deeper than the vehicle's running ground clear-
ance. Even the slowest current can push the
heaviest vehicle downstream and out of control
if the water is deep enough to push on the large
surface area of the vehicle's body. Before you
proceed, determine the speed of the current,
the water's depth, approach angle, bottom
condition and if there are any obstacles. Then
cross at an angle heading slightly upstream
using the low and slow technique.
CAUTION!
Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system
effectiveness by depositing debris onto the
radiator.
WARNING!
Never drive through fast moving deep water. It
can push your vehicle downstream, sweeping
it out of control. This could put you and your
passengers at risk of injury or drowning.
5
20_JL_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 273
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