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Using cruise control in wet weather - is it safe?
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 accident. It says that some vehicles (it mentions the Toyota Sienna Ltd XLE) does not allow the driver to set cruise control when the wipers are operating. Have you heard of this and can you confirm that cruise control should not be used in such weather conditions?
Asked on 8 November 2013 by eartony
Answered by
Honest John
This dates back around 30 years to when American cars took their speedo drive from the front wheels, but were driven via the back wheels. A modern cruise control system on a rear drive car will actually switch itself off when slippage is detected. And on a front drive car the situation cant happen because the speed the car is travelling is measured from the driven wheels.
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