Date:         Sat, 3 Nov 2007 09:48:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Karl Mullendore <groups@WESTYVENTURES.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Mullendore <groups@WESTYVENTURES.COM>
Subject:      Re: don't use cruise control in the rain?
In-Reply-To:  <4387de760711030610t70794e25y6593c9555700dead@mail.gmail.com>
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True in that sure, you can lose control in slippery conditions; however
very false in that the car can accelerate to a high rate of speed.
Slipping/hydroplaning wheels without traction cannot provide additional
forward acceleration. Nor can a car 'fly through the air' as one person
put it. Well, maybe if you drive it off a  cliff. :-)

Good advice though, and goes back to driving within reasonable speeds
for the conditions present AND within your own ability, which is
something many folks on the roads rarely do any more.

Karl

Maggie Dew wrote:
> I got one of those forwarded e-mails today, which I usually delete without
> reading, but if true, could be good information to pass along.  According to
> the e-mail, if you are using your cruise control in the rain (or snow) and
> your car begins to hydro-plane, and one or more of your tires loses contact
> with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed
> causing you to take off or spin out.
>
> I checked this out on Snopes.com and they give several references for the
> truth of this.  I had never heard of it before.  More info here:
> http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/wetroad.asp
>
> Maggie
>
>