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by candsw from Rolla, Mo.

Last Post 42 days, 2 hours Ago


Cruise control in wet weather
Jan 22, 2008 | 9:16 AM
Category: Traffic
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I have been getting alot of interesting emails. This one was true and I thought I would pass it along to you. Be cautious when it is wet or icy out. Read the following -

I wonder how many people know about this ~ A 36 year old female had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore, Texas she was traveling between Gladewater Kilgore. It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence


When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. She thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain.


But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.


The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.


The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the patrolman), was a man who had had a similar accident, totaled his car and sustained severe injuries.


NOTE: Some vehicles (like the Toyota Sienna Limited XLE) will not allow
You to set the cruise control when the windshield wipers are on.

7 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 7
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Biker2Max read my blog
Jan 23, 2008 | 8:52 AM

Cruise control overall is dangerous. While raining it doesn't deactivate on most vehicles and it's like you are "gunning it" in puddles which of course causes "hydroplaning" as you mentioned.

Most newer cars now have TCS or similar. This is an automatic traction control system that reads the drivetrain/wheels and will "slip" thus fully decelerating.

Cruise actually causes drivers to relax too much thus less alert while on interstates. I used to keep my cruise on but after the "airheadedness" I stopped.
Speedy62269 read my blog
Jan 23, 2008 | 1:59 PM

Hey S - how are you today? I hate driving in the rain and snow. I have hydro-planed and it's a very "helpless" situation - my cruise control was on at the time. This was years ago (1990 maybe) and I now use cruise only if it's dry outside and conditions warrant using it.

Nice blog!
asmerelda read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 3:22 PM

Just stoppin in to say hi
FIGMAN read my blog view my photos
Jan 27, 2008 | 9:27 AM

This is correct and snoopes has verified this as well. Being in the insurance business I have seen this as well.

Another issue that is cause for concern is the front wheel drive cars. Many times people will drop the right tire off the edge of the road and for most the immediate reaction is to jerk the car hard back on the road. When this happens most of the time those front wheel drive cars pull the car right across the highway and the accident happens. This does not happen as much in rear wheel drives as the vehicle is pushed by the rear wheels not pulled by the front.
candsw read my blog view my photos
Jan 27, 2008 | 9:37 PM

Figman thanks for that info. I would have not thought about that and I have front wheel drive.
Speedy thanks for the comment.
Asmerelda Hey girl! Will you be at coffee night this Thursday?
lbuxx read my blog view my photos
Feb 6, 2008 | 1:43 PM

I had NO idea. I never used my CC in wet weather anyway. If the weather or traffic is questionable I like to have my foot ready to go...
Jimmy-42 read my blog
Feb 7, 2008 | 2:21 PM

While I agree that using the Cruise Control in bad weather is a bad idea, the cruise control shouldn't cause the engine to 'gun' when the car looses traction. The cruise control gets its speed information from the transmission. So, whether the wheels are contact with the road or not, they should be spinning at the same speed. Now, what will happen is that the car will likely slow down because it looses traction, then once it gets traction again, it will try to accelerate back to its original speed.
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candsw

I am a wife to a great guy for 17 years and mother of 5. I love children. I write poetry for charity. You can find us at www.innercircleofpoets.co
m. I love reading, writing, teaching, the FOX2 morning show and working with kids. I alos go to the best church in Rolla. www.clcrolla.com ck us out.

Member Since: 10/9/2006


 

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