Blinding splash issue

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AxelR

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I must reiterate the importance of "going with the flow" trafficwise when driving on our SW streets with no storm sewers during rainy season. The LR simply can't keep up w'out the blinding splashes. Drive slower, risk being rear-ended.

I do not think people understand what monsoon means or the lack of water drainage. Until I lived in Albuquerque I wasn't aware of it myself. In addition to it in ABQ the water runs down from the mountain.
To give an idea to people questioning the situation. You are facing standing (or running water) of at least a foot and often close to two feet of water.
On top of this, it all happens around rush hour traffic (perfect weather conditions for these extremely violent rain storms), most people are eager to get home.
Add to this the fact that a lot of the vehicles on the road are trucks (lifted or not, some lifted up to 18 or 24") and that should give you a good picture of the situation.
Driving with traffic flow is a must otherwise you would be the cause of accidents.
 

roverman

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Point taken AxelR and although I have driven through flooded streets, I'm not familiar with flash flooding of the SW. I just can't picture what the speed of the normal traffic flow would possibly be that the LR4 couldn't do just as fast - safely. I mean, are BMWs and Camaros going through a foot of water at 60?? I just can't possibly picture a minivan going the same speed through the same water as an LR4 and fairing better through it if it's a foot or two deep.
 

Lgibson

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I may have a chance to measure puddle depth this weekend. I was going to say more like 4 inches at 40 mph on the SO's drive between home and office. Here again, despite the preponderance of lifted trucks zooming by, the blinding wake is the LR's.
 

jwest

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I went through some 2-6" deep ponds along the edge of a paved road yesterday and it simply covered the windscreen which is obviously unnerving for some people but I just hit the wipers or already have it ready having anticipated the inevitable.

I suppose the first time is quite the surprise but I suppose years ago I just started getting the wipers going and never really thought about it again until seeing this thread.

I don't find it much of a thing anymore.
 

Dr Jron

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We also have rain in Florida, and puddles that take a while to dissipate. My experience with my 2015 Range Rover is even at around 15 - 20 mph, water estimated at over 3-4 inches deep will flood the windshield, like a 52 gallon drum of water gets dumped on your windshield. I have never experience this with any other vehicle before. It is a safety hazard, so I started searching today to see if anyone has done anything to their rover to fix the issue. I do not hydroplane, just lose vision for a few seconds. Not sure if the wife wouldn't overreact if it happens to her, so I would like to fix it. I haven't viewed the prior websites about the reasons the water gets pushed forward and up, but I will. If I find something, I'll post later.
 

PaulLR3

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The reason is simple...the front tires are located just behind the front bumper. Good for off road approach angle, bad for splashing water forward then you drive into it. Best fix is to buy a vehicle with the front wheels set farther back with more hood and front fender in front of the wheels. Most Audis have wheels placed just below or behind the engine.

Or leave your wipers on automatic so that the rain sensor will activate the wipers as soon as you drive into the splashed-up water.
 

Quijote

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The reason is simple...the front tires are located just behind the front bumper. Good for off road approach angle, bad for splashing water forward then you drive into it. Best fix is to buy a vehicle with the front wheels set farther back with more hood and front fender in front of the wheels. Most Audis have wheels placed just below or behind the engine.

Or leave your wipers on automatic so that the rain sensor will activate the wipers as soon as you drive into the splashed-up water.

That is exactly right. I've had BMW 3'ers and a Mini which have very short front overhangs and are susceptible to this as well. But importantly, those sporty cars have low ground clearance and I approach deeper puddles slowly if they cannot be avoided. The LR4 gives a sense of invincibility that inadvertently makes you (at least me) approach puddles at higher speeds, exacerbating the problem. Unless I'm doing it for fun (with the kids and when it is safe since they get a kick out of it) I learned pretty quickly to slow down. The car is fine, but the loss of temporary visibility is unnerving.
 

PaulLR3

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So true, my kids love when I drive through a deep puddle and the tidal wave of water comes up and over the entire windshield. I get the "do it again" request and have to aim for the next deep puddle.
 

Quijote

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So true, my kids love when I drive through a deep puddle and the tidal wave of water comes up and over the entire windshield. I get the "do it again" request and have to aim for the next deep puddle.

Exactly!
 

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