Automobile manufacturers are always coming up with new technology that makes driving more comfortable and convenient. However, cruise control is an invaluable feature that has been around in American cars since 1948.
Over the years, the cruise control system has been improved to a few different types, but the most common and arguably the most useful variation is the Adaptive Cruise Control.
Knowing when to use cruise control is essential to understanding its benefits and drawbacks. Cruise control systems are not bad for your car if used correctly.
In the right circumstances, it improves fuel efficiency and reduces wear on your vehicle’s engine/transmission by reducing the occurrence of rapid acceleration.
Read on to learn what cruise control is, its benefits, cruise control safety tips, how it affects your vehicle and the differences between adaptive cruise control and cruise control.
What is cruise control?
Conventional Cruise Control is an electric system that automatically maintains the vehicle’s speed the driver sets by adjusting the throttle or accelerator position and allowing the driver to take their foot off the accelerator pedal.
Instead of pressing the accelerator pedal, cruise control uses an actuator to control the throttle and helps your vehicle cruise at a constant speed.
Also, you can set the cruise control using the cruise switches; ON, OFF, RESUME, SET/ACCEL, and COAST, which are mostly located near the steering wheel. This feature is helpful when you’re driving long distances on an open road and eases foot fatigue.
Despite its benefits, you shouldn’t rely on cruise control too much as it can lead to distracted driving. You should always be attentive and maintain your foot on the brake pedal if you need to break when necessary.
Adaptive cruise control Vs. Cruise control
There are several types of cruise control systems, but all cars come with the standard version, including vehicles with a manual gearbox. The most common variation is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), an improved cruise control system.
Similar to cruise control, ACC helps your car maintain a set speed; however, ACC adjusts the vehicle’s speed depending on its surroundings. It uses sensors, lasers, cameras, or a mix of the three to detect vehicles ahead and slows down to avoid rear-ending them.
When there is no close obstacle in front of your car, ACC will automatically go back to its previous set speed.
Can cruise control mess up your car?
Generally, cruise control is safe to use while driving. Cruise control allows you to cruise at a steady speed, enhancing fuel economy and reducing engine wear and tear by reducing manual acceleration.
However, you have to use it in ideal situations to get the most out of it; otherwise, it can cause engine problems and harm your vehicle’s transmission.
The check engine light will come on to indicate engine and transmission issues and automatically disable cruise control and will remain disengaged until the issue is resolved.
Cruise control is best applied when on long drives where the speed limit is constant over a long distance. It’s great for low or no traffic roads, where you don’t have to adjust the speed often.
The weather should also be favorable, and the road should be fairly straight. Accelerating during heavy rain or snow can cause understeer or oversteer, or a sudden thrust at the brake pedal to pull out of the cruise control, resulting in loss of control and accident.
When should I not use cruise control?
Although cruise control and all its variations are beneficial, cruise control is not a hands-free driving feature like most automatic car systems. So here are cruise control safety tips you should never ignore.
Don’t use cruise control;
- During bad weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or when temperatures are low enough for ice to form on the roads.
- Even if your car has Adaptive Cruise Control or traction control, cruise control on wet terrain can cause your wheels to turn faster than they should, potentially causing hydroplaning or reduced braking distance.
- When you’re sleepy or tired, even with ACC(Adaptive Cruise Control), cruise control is not an auto-pilot feature.
- Cruise control cannot steer your car, and it doesn’t control the brakes in most cars. So if you’re distracted and your reaction time is affected, you may not be able to avoid impact soon enough.
- When on high traffic roads such as in a town or city. City roads have a lot of stopping and starting, and it’s only ideal for controlling your speed and applying brakes appropriately manually.
- Cruise control is only ideal when driving on the interstate with low traffic.
- When driving on winding roads. Cruise control doesn’t control steering or brakes, which are essential when driving up or down a winding road.
- You will have to regulate your speed around corners manually, and driving on constant acceleration will limit reaction time and lead to loss of control.
- Close to other cars. Traditional cruise control doesn’t use sensors like Adaptive Cruise Control, which can detect proximity to other vehicles.
- Therefore you should always keep a safe distance from other cars when on cruise control. A set speed can cause you to go dangerously close to other vehicles if they are not going fast enough.
Is cruise control worth it?
Since it is a standard in American vehicles, the consideration is less about whether it is worth paying for rather than whether or not you want to use it. While always paying attention and driving under the right road conditions, cruise control is beneficial.
The main purpose of cruise control is to lessen the driver’s fatigue during long-distance driving. It automatically maintains a constant vehicle speed so that your foot doesn’t have to do that over a long distance.
Unfortunately, using cruise control on anything other than on a clear, straight, and long span of the road will reduce its effectiveness and increase the likelihood of an accident.
The biggest caveat is it can also reduce your reaction time while driving and impair your ability to safely steer, brake, or change lanes during dangerous situations.
In addition, many drivers have reported that they are easily distracted while using cruise control since they don’t have to concentrate on speed control, leading to serious motor vehicle accidents.
Is cruise control better for gas mileage?
Cruise control can significantly reduce fuel consumption only when driving on flat terrain with minimal to no traffic by eliminating unnecessary acceleration and deceleration.
However, cruise control can be less fuel-efficient when driving on mountainous terrain or high-traffic roads.
The excess increases and decreases in speed could cause the vehicle to consume up to 20% more fuel than if the driver manually controlled the speed.
In addition, the cruise control system will struggle to maintain the set speed when going uphill- revving the engine and burning more gas in the process.
Is it bad to use cruise control at low speeds?
Cruise control is not suitable for low speeds or slow-moving traffic. In addition, we do not recommend using cruise control under a speed of 25 miles per hour as it limits your ability to make quick stops or navigate turns.
Situations that call for this lower speed indicate the need to stop quickly, such as heavy traffic, driving on slippery roads, and proximity to pedestrian crossings; thus, cruise control may cause you to rear-end another vehicle or hit someone.
You will not have time to disengage from cruise control and regain manual control over your vehicle in these situations.
Is cruise control bad for your brakes?
As long as you use it properly, basic cruise control doesn’t harm your brakes since it uses engine braking to slow down the vehicle’s speed.
Engine braking is when the vehicle slows down by downshifting gears instead of depressing the brake pedal, especially when going downhill. Conventional cruise control doesn’t touch the brakes, and it only works with the throttle.
Additionally, cruise control disengages when you press the brakes or clutch. But instead of applying brakes, use the decelerate button on the cruise control button to slow down.
Conversely, cruise control limits manual acceleration and deceleration, but this frequent braking wears down the brake pads and drums. Therefore, cruise control reduces the degradation of the brake pads.
On the other hand, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses the car’s brakes; therefore, it will wear them out faster than it didn’t use ACC. So keep in mind that cruise control and Adaptive Cruise Control are two different systems.
Is cruise control bad for CVT transmissions?
Using cruise control on a relatively flat and low-traffic road will not ruin your vehicle’s CVT transmission. On the contrary, cruise control is beneficial for your car’s transmission because it minimizes sudden speed fluctuations during manual acceleration.
Unfortunately, these speed fluctuations cause the engine to work harder than usual. Also, the falling in and out of gear over and over eventually strains the transmission.
Using cruise control on challenging winding roads will cause the system to force multiple transmission shifts, which lead to overheating of the transmission fluid and premature component wear.
As such, cruise control is better for your vehicle’s motor and transmission as long as you use it under the right road conditions.
Conclusion
Provided your vehicle’s cruise control system functions correctly, you use it correctly, and only in the appropriate circumstances will it benefit your car’s engine, transmission, brakes, and fuel efficiency.
Keeping cruise control engaged is only beneficial when on long drives on a straight road with less traffic. Despite this, remember that cruise control is not a self-driving feature; you have to be still attentive to ensure your safety and others on the road.