Just when we thought it would come, we have finally entered the winter months. We see this with the cold and rain all over the country. One of the main things we need to pay attention to in such weather is our attention to traffic.
While braking distance and visibility are much better under normal weather conditions, risks can be detected in advance, but in winter months some mistakes may be irreversible.
Are you one of those people who normally use Cruise Control in your vehicle when you go on a long journey? This feature not only enables you to complete journeys that can last for hours in a less tiring manner, but also contributes to fuel consumption as there is no sudden acceleration.
We will talk about “Cruise Control” in our vehicles, but our main topic today will be to explain how this feature can be fatal in rainy weather. You may think that we are exaggerating a little with this statement, but we have to say that this system, which normally allows you to move more safely in traffic, is not very safe in extreme road conditions such as rainy weather.
To understand the subject better, let’s look at what Cruise Control is.
This feature, translated into Turkish as Cruise Control System, allows you to stabilize the speed of the vehicle, as the name suggests. It allows you to travel at the same speed constantly without the need to press the vehicle’s pedals. This feature, which used to be available in luxury vehicles, is now standard or an option in today’s vehicles.
According to this system, you determine the speed you want to go and the vehicle tries to stay at this speed for you. For example, you fixed the speed of your car at 100 km per hour. At this point, even if your vehicle drops to 95 while going up a hill, it will try to get itself back to 100.
Thanks to the Adaptive Cruise Control found in some new generation vehicles, it is also possible to control the speed of the vehicle in every sense. Even if a vehicle with this feature accelerates to 120 while going downhill, the vehicle will brake to reduce itself to 100. The vehicle can even adjust its speed according to the vehicle in front and behind.
It does this with the camera and sensors on it. Now that we understand the logic, we can look at why this feature poses a risk in extreme weather conditions. Also, for more detailed information on this subject, you can view our content on Adaptive Cruise Control in cars by clicking here.
Why you shouldn’t use Cruise Control in rainy weather?
Driving in rainy weather is always dangerous. You should already slow down your speed and look around more carefully. Additionally, puddles that may form on the road as a result of rain can eliminate the contact between your car and the road.
This is where the Cruise Control problem begins. When you use cruise control, your vehicle will always try to go at the same speed, pressing the gas to accelerate or the brakes to slow down.
There is no problem with this under normal road conditions, but in rainy weather there is a possibility that the vehicle may go out of control.
All wheels of your vehicle may not always rotate at the same speed.
We know that a vehicle moves on 4 wheels. In rainy weather, one or more wheels may cause the vehicle to skid. So the wheel will slow down and begin to slide on the water.
In such a case, if Cruise Control is on, your vehicle will still try to go at a constant speed, making the situation much more difficult. You can turn off the cruise control by pressing the brakes, but pressing the brakes on a car that is already sliding has significant disadvantages.
So, when you start to skid in your car, Cruise Control will think that this is a possible slowdown and will accelerate further. Your vehicle, which is already like a skate sliding on ice, may suddenly go out of control and cause an accident.
“My vehicle is new, so there is no problem with me.” We do not recommend that those who say this use it.
Many modern vehicles have a traction control system to prevent such traction problems when the roads are wet. However, traveling with cruise control is dangerous even for such vehicles. Because it is necessary to avoid high speeds in rainy weather.
It is also very important to apply the brakes according to the current position of the road. For this reason, it is very important that you turn off the cruise control in rainy weather and travel slowly and carefully, instead of accelerating your vehicle to a certain speed.
For example, some Toyota vehicles have a feature that automatically turns off Cruise Control when the wiper operates. This is how this system is disabled in rainy weather.
It is extremely important to use your vehicle according to weather conditions.
Whether your car is equipped with the latest model security measures or a vehicle with no security measures, as a driver you need to be careful about weather conditions.
While it is extremely important to use the vehicle at low speeds in weather conditions such as rain and snow, you also need to change your wheels to winter tires that can quickly drain rain water and hold on to snow better.
We would like to remind you that wheels should be changed regularly every year, especially in places outside the Aegean and Mediterranean Regions. You should know that you should do this not only to avoid being fined by the police, but also for the health of yourself and other people in traffic.
Don’t forget to check out our other content about cars:
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