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Difficulty: Very hardWinter Driving, Snow, and Black Ice

When descending a steep grade on a roadway covered with packed snow or black ice, activating cruise control at a low set speed is a recommended safety technique to prevent wheel lockup and maintain traction.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
The statement is false. Official driver handbooks strictly advise against using cruise control on ice, snow, or wet pavement. If the vehicle loses traction, cruise control can automatically apply throttle to maintain speed, accelerating drive-wheel spin and causing an uncontrollable skid.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze how cruise control operates on automated throttle adjustments.
Cruise control continuously modulates throttle power to maintain the driver's set target speed.
Understanding system behavior is necessary to evaluate its interaction with low-friction road surfaces.
2
Evaluate vehicle dynamics when drive wheels encounter black ice or snow while cruise control is engaged.
When tires slip on ice, vehicle speed momentarily drops or tire spin occurs; cruise control responds by opening the throttle to compensate, which accelerates wheel spin and triggers a loss of control.
Standard cruise control cannot detect surface traction limits or impending skids.
3
Apply official DMV winter driving rules.
Drivers must manually control speed and keep cruise control turned off in rain, snow, ice, or packed snow conditions.
Manual control allows immediate throttle reduction and rapid skid recovery.

Key Concept

Prohibition of Cruise Control on Slippery Surfaces
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Topics

Winter Driving, Snow, and Black Ice

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