As a precaution for driving cars in the rainy season, I want to know the wading depth of my Prius 2017. Knowing the safe water height helps a lot when it is required to drive on flooded roads. My understanding is - The clearance height of the exhaust pipe is the safe height. Reason: Hybrid system will engage the Engine when it is needed. So, there is a chance that the engine remains in a stopped state for some time while passing through the flooded road. In that case, water might enter the exhaust pipe which can reach up to the engine. If the engine remains on, the pressure of the exhaust gas will resist water. But in this case, we need to know the height of the air intake. So, it is also important to know about the air intake height. In case water entered the cabin, there is another risk of reaching the water level to the hybrid battery filter position. If anyone has the cross-section diagram mentioning the position with the height of the exhaust pipe, air intake and hybrid filter etc. please share.
You might want to check out the Owners Manual for more info on this issue. I recall mine addressing it and referring to some other concerns that you didn’t mention.
I don't believe there is a safe "wading" depth. Especially in cases of moving water where the roadbed may have eroded. Page 238 in my owners' manual says to avoid driving on a flooded road. And if you have to, then there are some checks and services that need to be performed by your dealer service department. The jingle "Turn around, don't drown" plays in my head, when I see water crossing the road ahead.
You’ve got a 2017 Prius; take a look and you’ll know. By the time the water reaches the engine air intake the main danger will be the car floating, lol.
“The car will be floating”! Best case scenario. More than likely, many systems will be shorted out by that time, which you could have avoided if you had read the manual. But what the hey, wouldn’t make an interesting post here, would it?
