A scary thing happened to me (and a warning)

[BorderKelpie]

For anyone who drives using cruise control:
Last night, on my way to work (in a Trauma Canter, no less)I set my cruise control as I always do. I live abut 45 minutes from work and the first 30 minutes is fairly open hiway. As I approched Downtown Dallas and increased traffic, I turned off the CC. As I exited onto a tight curvy spiral exit, all of a sudden, cc reset itself. Next thing I know, I am barrelling down a hiway with two lanes closed due to construction, concrete barricades, traffic and all. Harzard lights on and stomping on the brakes - no significant decrease in speed. People do NOT pay attention to flashing lights and horns.
After a few minutes of absolute terror, mental images of what I will look and feel like whan I finally can not control the truck anymore, I finally had an almost clear spot so I turned off the ignition. I coasted to a stop amid smoking brakes.
I have truely never been so afraid in my life. Funny thing about adrenelin - when you need quick thinking (it works) and physical strength (shaking too hard to feel effective), it doesn't work like you want it to.
All I could think about when I finally stopped is that I almost made my daughters into orphans (their 'sire' walked out on us years ago). More than 24 hours later, I am still anxious.

Today, I had the cruise control disconnected. This weekend, I will have the brakes replaced even though my mechanic says they are sound, I can feel a difference in them.

Please, anyone who uses cruise control, don't, please. I was told this was a very common problem and you don't get any warning.

(btw, this is a well maintained 2007 Jeep Liberty - not that that really matters, but it goes to show, it can happen with any make or model)

Please, please be careful.

 

[Tartannik]

My what a scary thing to happen to you, thank goodness you are ok

 

[3chimama]

Glad that you are okay. I never use cruise control because it makes me feel out of control....

 

[BunnyMomma]

Thanks for posting your story, and I am so glad you are OK. My DH like to use cc, but I never use it. I'll be sure to let him read this.
Thanks!

 

[BorderKelpie]

BunnyMamma, it only cost me $38 to have it disconnected. I shudder to think what it could have cost me if I lost any more control. Please tell him it's not worth it. Get rid of it before he gets hurt, please.

I am still shaky about it. Took everything I had to come into work tonight. I was white knuckling it driving through that area today.

On the 'bright' side. I had such an adreneline rush, I couldn't sleep. My house is so clean. I even vaccuumed the cobwebs off the ceiling.

 

[theoldchick]

Freaky! I wouldn't be surprised to hear of a recall on this particular model in the future.

 

[Mahonri]

That defect in that model needs to be reported. Might save someone else's life.

When the Toyota fiasco was being reported. I learned and told my kids. TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND HIT THE BRAKES.

 

[denim deb]

That's scary! Glad you're ok. I don't use cruise control. I've found I get better gas mileage w/out it.

 

[CityChicker]

Wow! How terrifying! I can't even imagine. I bet you were completely freaking out. I agree that definitely needs to be reported, immediately. If the cruise control doesn't disengage when the brakes are hit, that is beyond scary. I totally agree that you could be saving someone's life by reporting it. I can't imagine that they wouldn't recall vehicles doing that. I am so glad you are okay.

 

[booker81]

I would totally contact Jeep/Chryster and report that immediately.

Also, not to negate or anything of that nature, but I was always taught to NOT cut the ignition, but to throw in neutral, because you loose power steering if ignition is off? My dad made me practice in a parking lot when I learned to drive (driving and then shifting to neutral without overshifting to reverse). I've done that once when the electrical in my car decided to go haywire and nothing was responding properly.

I'm glad you're OK!!!