The all-new Ranger is one of the toughest trucks in its segment today boasting class leading capability including best-in-class water wading of up to 800mm. When encountering flash floods on the road, drive with confidence and a peace of mind with the all-new Ranger as it can easily traverse through the demands of the coming rainy season.

The all-new Ranger has been engineered and tested to ensure it can stand up to the toughest challenge. To improve Ranger’s water-wading capability, the truck’s key electrical components and air inlets are strategically placed high in the engine compartment, enabling the pickup to go deeper than any other in its segment.

For components that had to be below the water line, such as fuel tanks and rear parking sensors, they had to be suitably waterproofed to ensure they would do their job even when wet. Considering the height of the water line changes depending on whether the vehicle is moving or stationary – the water line starts higher at the front and slopes down towards the rear of the pickup when it’s moving due to changing pressure of the water – the biggest challenge for the engineers was in finding a place for all the components.

“We did it in the end, and we’re very proud of how deep the Ranger can go,” said Tom Dohrmann, the development engineer in charge of Ranger’s water management. “When faced with a water crossing, you’ll be able to drive it into the water deeper than the competition can, through the water, out of the water and onto safe ground.”

Built to last, Ranger has gone through extreme testing around the world to make sure it could stand up to the rigorous terrains and temperatures. Tested in Australia, Dubai, Thailand, North America, South America, Sweden and South Africa, it had to face severe heat and cold, monsoon rains, high altitudes as well as rushing rivers, arid deserts and potholed roads. Prototypes clocked more than a million kilometers on the road, supported by countless hours of exhaustive testing in laboratories.

Ford Driving Safety Tips during the Rainy Season

With the rainy season approaching, drivers everywhere must prepare themselves for the torrential downpour, strong winds and unpredictable weather. Together, these can lead to very slippery and poorly visible roads which are often the causes of many road accidents during this season. To help get you to your destinations and back home safely and soundly, Ford has also provided a list of helpful driving tips for the rainy season:

• Check your car carefully before travelling. Brakes, steering, fluid levels, tire pressure and tread depth and the defroster should be checked so that your vehicle is ready to deal with a downpour. 
• Keep a good emergency kit in your car. Taking a few steps in advance can save you time, emergency service costs and help to avoid stress in case of a breakdown. The kit should meet your individual needs and be equipped with a spare tire, a torch, fuses, an air pump, water, first aid supplies and other items to attract or provide help.
• Make sure that your wipers are in good condition and functioning properly. If the wiper blades are brittle or damaged, replace them before the rains begin. 
• Drive carefully! Pay close attention to your speed. Driving at high speeds is absolutely unnecessary. During monsoon season the rain can create a thin sheet of water between the tires and the road, a condition where the driver can more easily lose control.
• Turn on the headlights. When driving in rain, switch on your headlights. It will increase your visibility and allow other drivers to see you from a distance. 
• Avoid excessive or sudden braking. It’s best to apply the brakes smoothly. If you push the brake pedal to the limit, the car will probably skid. It is preferable to slow down gradually before coming to a complete halt.
• Drive cautiously and maintain a safe distance between any vehicles travelling ahead of you. When the road surface is wet, you will need more time and distance to react to a hazard.  Be especially careful not to follow closely behind large buses or trucks: the spray thrown off by their rear wheels could impair your vision. 
• Avoid pools of water not more than 3 feet deep. You never know what could be underneath the surface. Besides if you drive into a pool at full speed you could risk serious damage to the car’s bumper or radiator. If a wave of water hits the engine, the vehicle could stall.
• Always be alert for stop signs or obstacles blocking the road. Never drive through a flood, especially in an area that you may be unfamiliar with: turn back and look for another route.
• Drive slowly through water. If there is standing water on the road, drive very slowly. Do not drive through moving water if you cannot see how deep it is. Stop the car before entering the flooded area and check first. Generally, if the water level reaches higher than the bottom of your doors or the bottom third of your wheels, do not drive through it.
• When stuck in the mud, shift into 1st or 2nd gear and accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the wheels, or you could sink deeper.