If anyone should have reason to do such a thing (turn off an automobile engine while driving at *any* speed), beware these other side-effects may accrue, depending on the car's design:
* Loss of power assist for steering, if the car has hydraulically assisted "power steering" (some have motorized electric assist; they will be fine since the battery doesn't quit just because the engine does). With loss of hydraulic assist, you'll still be able to steer, but you'll feel significant increase in resistance to turning, "hard as rocks", if you will. It'll take both hands, and you'll feel instant gratitude for whoever decided steering wheels must have for those bumps on the back side which naturally fit the spaces between your fingers, allowing you to put much more torque on the wheel than you ever have before. Loss of steering assist will happen immediately with loss of engine RPM on hydraulic assisted power steering.
* Loss of power assist for braking, if the car as engine vacuum assisted "power brakes". This may come on a bit slower than loss of power steering, but the feedback will be similar: Your brake pedal becomes "hard as rocks" to move. You'll naturally put both feet on the brakes and stomp with all your might and weight, again without thinking. If your brake pedal is wide enough for two feet, chances are good your car has power brakes -- and now you know why power brake pedals are so wide.
May you never need this knowledge, but if you do, just calmly do the new work you need to do to stay safe and keep those around you safe.
Slashdot Mirror
If anyone should have reason to do such a thing (turn off an automobile engine while driving at *any* speed), beware these other side-effects may accrue, depending on the car's design:
* Loss of power assist for steering, if the car has hydraulically assisted "power steering" (some have motorized electric assist; they will be fine since the battery doesn't quit just because the engine does). With loss of hydraulic assist, you'll still be able to steer, but you'll feel significant increase in resistance to turning, "hard as rocks", if you will. It'll take both hands, and you'll feel instant gratitude for whoever decided steering wheels must have for those bumps on the back side which naturally fit the spaces between your fingers, allowing you to put much more torque on the wheel than you ever have before. Loss of steering assist will happen immediately with loss of engine RPM on hydraulic assisted power steering.
* Loss of power assist for braking, if the car as engine vacuum assisted "power brakes". This may come on a bit slower than loss of power steering, but the feedback will be similar: Your brake pedal becomes "hard as rocks" to move. You'll naturally put both feet on the brakes and stomp with all your might and weight, again without thinking. If your brake pedal is wide enough for two feet, chances are good your car has power brakes -- and now you know why power brake pedals are so wide.
May you never need this knowledge, but if you do, just calmly do the new work you need to do to stay safe and keep those around you safe.