General Discussion

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)

21. 12 Volt systems will work fine submerged.

Wed Aug 30, 2017, 03:34 PM

Aug 2017

They will not short out, but the battery will eventually fail if submerged.

The real problem is that as soon as the car starts sinking, a pressure differential forms that prevents the door from opening or the window from opening, power or manual.

Additionally, you may not be able swing a hammer with enough force under water. Water is much denser than air, if you wait until the water covers your arms, you may not be able to break the side window.

A better option is a spring loaded center punch. Place it against the window and push - no swing needed and will cause any side window to shatter into thousands of little pieces.

https://www.google.com/search?q=spring+loaded+center+punch&oq=spring+loaded+center+punch&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l4.30503.35678.0.40253.8.7.1.0.0.0.252.1172.0j6j1.7.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.8.1216...0i7i30k1j0i13k1.aoN9UXbK_Co

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Just a reminder: eveyryone should carry a hammer to break car windows [View all] question everything Aug 2017 OP

With safety belt cutter. kairos12 Aug 2017 #1

Right. Forgot to mention it. Thanks (nt) question everything Aug 2017 #34

Also, a spring-loaded centering punch will shatter a side window, BUT NOT A WINDSHIELD. John1956PA Aug 2017 #35

that sounds too fun SethH Aug 2017 #36

I didn't know. I have that. rusty quoin Aug 2017 #55

it will crack the windshield but,will not shatter it. You use this on rear and side windows. juxtaposed Aug 2017 #56

Thank you for correcting me on this point (slight pun). John1956PA Aug 2017 #64

is that a 1956 continental, almost bought one a few years ago! juxtaposed Aug 2017 #69

It is a '56 or '57. I pulled the photo off of the Internet. John1956PA Aug 2017 #70

if you are not sure, it's a 56 continental. never a lincoln! The most expensive car built in 56. juxtaposed Aug 2017 #71

Do not use a regular hammer unless there is nothing else. Boxerfan Aug 2017 #2

What about those with limited arm/hand strength? dixiegrrrrl Aug 2017 #20

You should be able to manage. Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2017 #59

Just ordered one from Amazon, 9 bucks. Thanks for the video. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2017 #66

An automatic center punch is a really easy tool for the job mitch96 Aug 2017 #32

Mine is attached to the driver's door pocket, right by my left knee. Shrike47 Aug 2017 #37

Would six-inch stiletto heels work? IggleDuer Aug 2017 #3

Ouch underpants Aug 2017 #8

Ha! Phentex Aug 2017 #12

In the Weather channel clip, below #29 question everything Aug 2017 #52

You're wicked customerserviceguy Aug 2017 #60

Happy u added if in water thing dembotoz Aug 2017 #4

Indeed. I was just picturing for the increasingly-likely post-apocalyptic war zone bellmartin Aug 2017 #24

Yes. One of those needs to be in the center console of MineralMan Aug 2017 #5

That's exactly where mine is. The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2017 #51

Yup. I have one in both cars. MineralMan Aug 2017 #65

Mythbusters did the submerged car escape. Girard442 Aug 2017 #6

So did the Weather Channel mitch96 Aug 2017 #29

This is scary. Good for them to show this question everything Aug 2017 #50

Thanks for posting this customerserviceguy Aug 2017 #61

if I had a hammer... Warren DeMontague Aug 2017 #7

I put those exact items MuseRider Aug 2017 #9

yeah especially with modern cars where lowering the windows is electric. drray23 Aug 2017 #10

12 Volt systems will work fine submerged. Thor_MN Aug 2017 #21

I keep a spring loaded center punch in my glove box. CentralMass Aug 2017 #30

The knife in my pocket will take care of that if need be. Thor_MN Aug 2017 #39

+1 CentralMass Aug 2017 #44

Those are good. I use these.... Adrahil Aug 2017 #11

Both of my sons are getting these for Christmas. redwitch Aug 2017 #14

I bought my daughter one as soon as she got a learner's permit. NT Adrahil Aug 2017 #15

Nice. CentralMass Aug 2017 #31

A spring-loaded center punch works too Cirque du So-What Aug 2017 #13

they are hard to find Mosby Aug 2017 #17

Hard? Any hardware store, home center, any where that sells tools will have them. Thor_MN Aug 2017 #22

That's not my experience Mosby Aug 2017 #40

Two minutes with Google. Most of that trying to highlight to copy. Thor_MN Aug 2017 #41

That's great they have them now. Mosby Aug 2017 #42

Oh sorry, didn't realize that you were still living 2007. Thor_MN Aug 2017 #45

Do you know what the word "discretely means"? cwydro Aug 2017 #43

Aren't you special? Thor_MN Aug 2017 #46

i really don't care what you're thinking. cwydro Aug 2017 #48

Then why bother replying to me? Thor_MN Aug 2017 #49

works for me grantcart Aug 2017 #62

A friend of mine drowned in his car. Kablooie Aug 2017 #16

Oh, this is horrible. I am not even sure about how fast one has to work in an ocean question everything Aug 2017 #53

Can't afford or find a hammer? Try a broken spark plug ceramic. icymist Aug 2017 #18

There are probably some locations where having this item oneshooter Aug 2017 #19

I have one of these under my driver's seat. lpbk2713 Aug 2017 #23

I find that a Slim Jim works better, is much quieter and doesn't make a mess! 😏 Floyd R. Turbo Aug 2017 #25

Good advice Warpy Aug 2017 #26

$5 Not Ruth Aug 2017 #27

Oh...if stuck in water. ... LSFL Aug 2017 #28

What's a Sears? TheBlackAdder Aug 2017 #33

Or, a ResQMe. GoCubsGo Aug 2017 #38

That's a good tool because of the seat belt cutter, but maybe a better way is a center punch Stinky The Clown Aug 2017 #47

The windows in my Olive are manual MrScorpio Aug 2017 #54

so are mine. riversedge Aug 2017 #57

So carrying a picture of tRump won't do the trick?? Best_man23 Aug 2017 #58

They work. raven mad Aug 2017 #63

If you think an automobile is your best means of escape from catastrophe you are likely wrong. hunter Aug 2017 #67

Here Is Something Already in Your Car Leith Aug 2017 #68