What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Is it dangerous to use cruise control in the wet?
Is it dangerous to use cruise control in the wet? Does it cause problems should you aquaplane and does it make the car go faster, so causing accidents?
Asked on 8 January 2019 by Steve
Answered by
Honest John
There used to be one of those overwritten, never-ending American chain-emails warning about this. The idea is that if an old tech rear wheel drive American car with the speedo drive on the front wheels loses traction at the rear, the lost speed recorded by the speedo drive will tell the engine to increase revs and the rear of the car will go out of control. These days, the speedo drive of a front wheel drive car is in the final drive, so that simply can't happen. And on rear drive cars such as most BMWs, if the car's ABS/ESP system detects a lack of traction, it automatically disengages cruise control.
Similar questions
Whenever I fear I might risk creeping above the speed limit, especially on the M25 (when it’s moving), I activate cruise control and my worries are removed. It's a wonderful invention and I'm sure I would...
A general email is circulating advising that cruise control should not be engaged when there is rain or snow/ice. It explains that when hydroplaning occurs the cruise control accelerates - causing a potential...
I have seen a few headlines stating that all cars sold from June this year will have so called speed limiters fitted. Are you able to explain what these are, and how they will work in practice?