This one ive heard from a lot of people.

The guys a little too drunk and is driving too fast... theres a bump on teh road but hes too fast, the car hits the bump, takes off for some seconds then the guy hits the brakes before the car touches down...

When it lands the friction of the tires with the asphalt makes the car flip over and the guy dies along with his girlfriend whos on the passengers seat.



Every which person who told me that story seemed to agree with it, you should hit the gas if your car try to take flight xD


Now that leaves us with the question:
What should we do if the car takes off the ground?

I would hit the clutch instead.

Of if I'm in a rear wheel drive, I wouldn't do anything because the front wheels that hit the ground first will spin freely anyways.

Now, there's a different side to the myth. While I don't think the car would flip over, there's a certain possibility that it might spin out of control if your front wheels are locked up.

Because your front wheels touch the ground first, and if you come in at an angle, the rear of the car will push ahead and send you spinning to god knows where.

Tighten your seatbelt and start praying.

quote:

Originally posted by watcher56:
Tighten your seatbelt and start praying.

Or just kiss your butt goodbye

I thought you were supposed to yell "Yee-Haw!" then pause in mid-air while Waylon Jennings makes a witty comment.

Unless the bump in the road is just before a 100 foot cliff no car will flip over nose first as in the OP.

Best to not do much of anything, don't hit the gas, definatly do not hit the brakes, definatly do not turn the steering wheel. Just land and hope for the best. If still ok, pull over and stop, somthing will no doubt be bent or broke.

Whole story sounds bogus. Doubt hitting the gas or the brakes matters little until the car is back on the ground awhile.

A bump in the road? Just how much air time do you think will result? There has to be barely enough time to react at all.

For even a few seconds of air-time, the car would practically have to go off a ski-jump (not the Olympic kind, just your regular ski resort kind). But, if I were in said situation, use the clutch for a manual, do nothing for an automatic, point the wheels straight ahead and get ready for a little bump.

In a automatic car, put it in neutral (same as clutch). Let the wheels spin however they want to spin once they hit the ground. You'll just add unwanted torque and energy distribution where your pretty much screwing the car over as it is, so might as well make it so you can control it through saving the tires and steering your way to safety on the landing. I'm hit the breaks once you can confirm you have indeed landed solidly.

quote:

Originally posted by harddrive: I'm hit the breaks once you can confirm you have indeed landed solidly.

Um, thats the self explanatory part, no need to confirm.