Cruise Control

Developed to take the strain out of long driving, cruise control adjusts the throttle to keep you at a set speed. It reduces driver workload and makes it safer and more efficient by preventing accidental speeding and improving vehicle stability.

What is cruise control?

Cruise control keeps your car at a constant speed. You set the speed and the car does the rest without you having to touch the gas pedal. Long drives are easier and less tiring.

Using cruise control also saves fuel. When your car is at a constant speed it uses less fuel than when you’re accelerating and braking. Fast acceleration burns more fuel which costs more money.

This makes driving more comfortable and you save on fuel. Cruise control is the easy way to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently on long trips.

What is the History of Cruise Control?

Cruise control has a fascinating history. Ralph Teetor, a blind engineer, invented it in 1948. He wanted to help drivers maintain a constant speed without getting tired. By 1958 Chrysler had his invention in their cars and called it “Auto-Pilot”.

In the 60s and 70s, more car makers started fitting cruise control to their cars. It became very popular because it made highway driving easier and less tiring.

By the 80s cruise control was a standard feature in many cars. It saved fuel and made long trips more comfortable. Now almost every new car has some form of cruise control.

Today advanced cruise control systems can adjust speed according to traffic conditions. Some even help with steering. But all these modern features started with Teetor’s simple idea to keep cars at a constant speed.

How to Use a Cruise Control?

Using cruise control is easy and convenient. Follow these steps carefully to make sure you’re using it correctly.

1. Reach Desired Speed Start driving and reach the speed you want to maintain. Make sure you’re on a straight, open road with minimal traffic.
2. Find the Cruise Control Buttons Find the cruise control buttons. They’re usually on the steering wheel or a lever near it. Look for labels like “On”, “Set”, “+” and “-”.
3. Turn On Cruise Control Press the “On” button to turn the system on. A light on your dashboard may indicate that cruise control is ready.
4. Set Your Speed Once you’ve reached your desired speed press the “Set” button. Your car will lock in this speed and maintain it without you having to touch the gas pedal.
5. Adjust the Speed If you want to change your speed use the “+” and “-” buttons. Press “+” to increase speed and “-” to decrease it. Each press will adjust the speed by 1 MPH.
6. Temporarily Disable Cruise Control To temporarily disable cruise control press the “Cancel” button or lightly touch the brake pedal. The system will disengage but your previous settings will be saved.
7. Resume Previous Speed If you want to go back to your previous set speed press the “Resume” button. This will reactivate the cruise control at the last programmed speed.
8. Turn Off Cruise Control When you’re done using cruise control press the “Off” button. This will turn the system off completely and you’ll need to control the speed manually again.
9. Stay Alert Always keep your hands on the wheel and stay attentive. Cruise control helps with speed but you need to be ready to take over if road conditions change.

Follow these steps and you’ll use cruise control safely and efficiently.

What is Adaptive Cruise Control?

ACC is a smarter version of cruise control. It not only maintains a set speed but also adjusts to traffic flow.

ACC uses radar or cameras to monitor the gap between your car and the car ahead. If the car in front slows down, ACC will slow you down to a safe distance.

Once the road clears, ACC will bring you back up to the set speed. You can adjust the following distance using the buttons on the steering wheel.

ACC makes highway driving easier and safer by reducing the need to constantly adjust your speed. It reacts faster than you can.

To use ACC, you set your speed and following distance and the system does the rest, adjusting speed as per traffic conditions.

This is super useful in stop and go traffic. Some ACC systems can even bring the car to a complete stop and start moving again when traffic moves.

Remember, while ACC is helpful, you must always be alert and ready to take control if needed. It helps with driving but doesn’t replace the need for a human driver.

Some Safety Tips for Using Cruise Control on Car:

Using cruise control can make driving easier, but you should follow some safety tips to stay safe on the road. Here are some important guidelines:

1. Use on Highways and Clear Roads
2. Avoid Using in Bad Weather
3. Stay Alert
4. Know Your Controls
5. Maintain a Safe Distance
6. Turn Off When Tired
7. Don’t Use on Curvy Roads
8. Watch for Road Conditions

Following these tips will help you use cruise control safely and enjoy a smoother, more relaxed drive.