Brake Fade
We were returning from a summer holiday and the weather turned bad. The highway flooded and in one dip we drove through about a foot of water over about 50 yards. The old Simca Aronde had drum brakes and just over the next hill was another stretch of water. Dad put his foot on the brake but the drums were full of water and they hardly worked at all. So there was an almighty splash and the engine snuffed. There we were in a foot of slowly rising water and only about 25 miles from home.

After maybe ten minutes of stuffing around to no effect a bloke in a truck came along, said something about water in the cylinders and offered us a tow. He had a good rope and we tied the old Simca to the truck. He took off quietly enough but soon it seemed like he forgot we were behind and he must have been doing 60 mph which was faster than Dad normally drove.

After about three miles of this the rope broke and we coasted to a halt. The truck just kept on going and vanished. But we were out of the water. Dad's never been known for his mechanical instincts but he got the idea of taking out the spark plugs and cranking the engine. Water sprayed out and we waited a few minutes and did it again. Dried off the ignition, put the plugs back in and the old girl started on one or two cylinders. After a few moments it was all four and we got home only an hour or so later than expected.

Thanks, Mr Anonymous Truck Driver.
(Redemption blamed it on the Bossa Nova since, Wed 15 May 2013, 7:18, 4 replies)

In the UK the Highway Code rules 121 & 126 would have saved your father the trouble
121
If you have driven through deep water your brakes may be less effective. Test them at the first safe opportunity by pushing gently on the brake pedal to make sure that they work. If they are not fully effective, gently apply light pressure while driving slowly. This will help to dry them out.

126
Stopping Distances. Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.

I'm sure there are similar rules in other countries, but really it is just common sense.
( Ghoti Fingers, Wed 15 May 2013, 7:31, closed)

The highway code used to contain the amusing line

..."always give way to trains."

I love the idea that some people need to be told that.
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Wed 15 May 2013, 11:11, closed)

The fact that people still die on rail crossings
shows that plenty of people are very slow on the uptake.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Wed 15 May 2013, 11:15, closed)

Well he knows now, but has given up driving at 87.
I learned something from it too. But I don't think there was such a highway code in Queensland in the 1960s. They seemed to be more concerned about how close to a pillar box you could park.
(Redemption blamed it on the Bossa Nova since, Thu 16 May 2013, 5:57, closed)