Using Cruise Control in the rain

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Did you know you're not suppossed to use it when the pavents are wet?

 

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 excessive, when her car suddenly  began to hydroplane 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 had 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 and your car begins to hydroplane - when your tires lose contact with the pavement - your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.

 

We all know you have little or no control over a car when it begins to hydroplane. The highway patrol estimated her car was actually traveling through the air at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.

 

The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the drivers 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.

 

You may have already known this but if you didn't now you do.

[Jim Phaserman 0]

I like using the cruise control for long trips, but I find that I get distracted easily when I don't have to worry about actually using the gas pedal. so I leave it off.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

Thanks AE, I didn't know that - I rarely use cruise control - too many farm vehicles appearing out of nowhere.

 

Wait, I'm confused - if the tires have lost contact with the road how can they make the car go faster - isn't it the friction of tire on pavement that creates speed?

Edited February 5, 2004 by TheUnicornHunter

[A l t e r E g o 9]

You're welcome UH.

 

Wait, I'm confused - if the tires have lost contact with the road how can they make the car go faster - isn't it the friction of tire on pavement that creates speed?

 

Under normal (dry) circumstances you are correct but when a car is hydroplaning the effect is the same as if the wheels are on ice.

[Ace 0]

Oops, I used to do that a couple of years ago. I know better now, though.

 

Thanks for posting this, AE. :)

[trekzone 0]

top stuff AE, ive just started driving solo now...

[VaBeachGuy 12]

I've never felt "in control" when cruise control was on with the streets wet so I never use it then. On long trips, or when driving for more then 20 minutes or so I have to use it though because my knees are so bad. If I have to press on the gas pedal for a long time I will be in pain for a couple of days. THat fact actually caused me to buy a new car a few years back just so I could get cruise control.

[Gotabite 0]

Actually I have almost stopped using cruise control because I become so easily distracted the less I do, and because I also have a tendency to get sleepy the less energy I use to drive. But thanks for that info........ I was also told that one should never use cruise control while driving up mountains or other very steep inclines........but perhaps most already know this

[ussvaliant_co 0]

I've had to many Vehicles with out Cruise. So when I do have it Ii forget it's there. Guess its a good thing. Thanks AE!