Cruise control stuck on, heading towards downtown Huntsville at 60mph!

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zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,095
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I imagine the first thing I would do (and have done) Is drop it into neutral then drive into a bush or something to slow me down (they do the same thing on Top Gear) I definitely definitely definitely wouldn't pull the hand break going anything over 20mph.

how else do you expect to pull a bitching 180 turn?
 

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
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I was wondering that, too. seemed odd that the cop could somehow stop his cruise.

though, if tapping the break truly didn't work, then something had to up with his CC, no? or maybe it wasn't actually on?
I'm guessing the CC did actually stick (or his throttle or whatever), and he panicked. Once the officer slowed him down a bit, the drivers wits took over and he shut off the ignition.
 

Alone

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2006
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I'd rather things weren't described as "emergency" when they shouldn't be used in an emergency... But what are you going to do when American decides something stupid like this?

Backup break would make more sense for the use you are describing.

And when would you use a back up brake? When your primary brakes fail...which is an emergency.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,095
30,041
146
How did you get that from what I said????

you said you absolutely will not use it if you can't stop your car. you'd rather drive into a tree or bush or something.

in several posts, you vehemently demanded that no one use this braek in an emergency situation--which very much implies that you prefer to use no brake at all if your hydraulics fail.
 
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coldmeat

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2007
9,194
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There's something to this story we're missing... His cruise control wouldn't allow the car to slow down, but when the cop pulled in front of him and impeded his path... What made the cruise control stop trying to go 60mph?

If it were truly stuck, and the driver didn't turn of the ignition, it would continue to try and accelerate.

Wouldn't there be some kind of safety feature that would turn off the cruise in an accident?
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
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And when would you use a back up brake? In an emergency.

In a very specific emergency, I.e. when the breaks are out, you are doing under 20mph.

When you want to do what is technically (in the UK) called an "Emergency Stop" You do not use a hand brake! D:
 

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
2
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I'd rather things weren't described as "emergency" when they shouldn't be used in an emergency... But what are you going to do when American decides something stupid like this?

Backup break would make more sense for the use you are describing.
Let's say that your emergency is that your hydraulic brakes go out... Why would you NOT use the hand brake???
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
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you said you absolutely will not use it if you can't stop your car. you'd rather drive into a tree or bush or something.

in several posts, you vehemently demanded that no one use this break in an emergency situation--which very much implies that you prefer to use no break at all if your hydraulics fail.

Yeah that's not what I was getting at, I'd rather have a hand brake than no brakes.
 

Alone

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2006
7,490
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In a very specific emergency, I.e. when the breaks are out, you are doing under 20mph.

When you want to do what is technically (in the UK) called an "Emergency Stop" You do not use a hand brake! D:

I hope I'm never on the road anywhere near you.
 

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
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Couldn't he just turn the engine off, or would he lose braking and steering power?
He would... But I'd take that over a stuck throttle any day!

Like I said, I'm guessing he panicked and didn't consider that option. I also don't buy the fact that he couldn't shift into neutral.
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
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Let's say that your emergency is that your hydraulic brakes go out... Why would you NOT use the hand brake???

1) It wouldn't work at any speed
2) It would lock up the wheels and you'd just skid
3) If you were turning the wheel you'd spin
4) You'd probably snap the cable
5) You wouldn't gradually come to a halt.
6) You could slow down more effectively by changing into neutral and letting the car slow down naturally.
 

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
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In a very specific emergency, I.e. when the breaks are out, you are doing under 20mph.
Why not over 20mph... What exactly do you think will happen, other than the hand brake would slow you down.

Perhaps you play too much Need For Speed? ;)
 
Jun 27, 2005
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I think I'm gonna call bullshit on this one...
There are so many fail-safes on cruise control it's not funny.

Cruise control is supposed to release if:
You touch your brakes
You touch the gas
The speed varies by more than 5mph

I've never been in a car that couldn't be dropped into N while driving... or at the very least shift down into 3-2-1 gears which would slow the vehicle by more than 5mph

And why is it that his brakes couldn't stop his car but the cop's SUV could stop both?

And what happened at the end? Was his engine still grinding away trying to go 60?

None of this makes any sense.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,095
30,041
146
He would... But I'd take that over a stuck throttle any day!

Like I said, I'm guessing he panicked and didn't consider that option. I also don't buy the fact that he couldn't shift into neutral.

I wonder if his power steering suddenly failed, or something else kooky, that locked up his shifter and ignition?
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
Why not over 20mph... What exactly do you think will happen, other than the hand brake would slow you down.

Perhaps you play too much Need For Speed? ;)

..

1) It wouldn't work at any speed
2) It would lock up the wheels and you'd just skid
3) If you were turning the wheel you'd spin
4) You'd probably snap the cable
5) You wouldn't gradually come to a halt.
6) You could slow down more effectively by changing into neutral and letting the car slow down naturally.
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
I think I'm gonna call bullshit on this one...
There are so many fail-safes on cruise control it's not funny.

Cruise control is supposed to release if:
You touch your brakes
You touch the gas
The speed varies by more than 5mph

I've never been in a car that couldn't be dropped into N while driving... or at the very least shift down into 3-2-1 gears which would slow the vehicle by more than 5mph

And why is it that his brakes couldn't stop his car but the cop's SUV could stop both?

And what happened at the end? Was his engine still grinding away trying to go 60?

None of this makes any sense.

Agreed, it's weird.
 

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
2
0
1) It wouldn't work at any speed
2) It would lock up the wheels and you'd just skid
3) If you were turning the wheel you'd spin
4) You'd probably snap the cable
5) You wouldn't gradually come to a halt.
6) You could slow down more effectively by changing into neutral and letting the car slow down naturally.
1) Of course it will help.
2) Only if you jam on on with full force. You can certainly mitigate the pressure.
3) Umm... Don't turn?
4) LOL, not hardly.
5) Of course you could.
6) Slowing down without brakes is more effective than with brakes???

Have you ever actually USED a hand brake while driving a real car? I'm guessing not.
 

Alone

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2006
7,490
0
0
1) It wouldn't work at any speed
2) It would lock up the wheels and you'd just skid
3) If you were turning the wheel you'd spin
4) You'd probably snap the cable
5) You wouldn't gradually come to a halt.
6) You could slow down more effectively by changing into neutral and letting the car slow down naturally.

Uh, you don't rip on the brake. You gradually apply it.

Please go and learn how to drive.
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
1) Of course it will help.
2) Only if you jam on on with full force. You can certainly mitigate the pressure.
3) Umm... Don't turn?
4) LOL, not hardly.
5) Of course you could.
6) Slowing down without brakes is more effective than with brakes???

Have you ever actually USED a hand brake while driving a real car? I'm guessing not.

I have!... :confused:

6) Of course not.