Drive Smart, Drive Smooth: A Guide to Optimal Cruise Control Usage in Your Car

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What is Cruise Control in a Car?

One of the most practical and innovative car technologies invented by man, cruise control makes cars more comfortable for drivers who drive long distances and on highways regularly. The cruise control mode lets a driver effortlessly maintain a constant speed for as long as it is set based on the type of car. This also helps minimize tiredness, which is beneficial when driving for long hours. This technology makes driving practically hassle-free while also cutting fuel usage and emissions.

How Does the Cruise Control System Work?

The cruise control is a system that maintains car speeds without needing the driver to press the accelerator pedal himself. Also, it does not let the car go above or below the set speed unless the driver presses the brake or the accelerator pedal.

The purpose of cruise control is nothing but an automatic replication of how a driver manually controls and drives a vehicle. Initially, cruise control systems worked with a cable and an actuator to control the throttle valve.

However, today's modern cruise control systems have substituted the cable with various sensors connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). When the driver sets a pace, the ECU calculates the driver's input to the throttle and then configures the throttle accordingly. The system then maintains the speed set by the driver and adjusts the throttle configuration so that the set pace remains unchanged under the altering road conditions.

How Do You Use the Cruise Control?

Below listed steps will help you better understand how to use the cruise control system in your car:

• Accelerate the car to the pace you would like to set. Be careful not to cross the speed limit on the road or highway.
• Once the car reaches the optimal or desired pace, activate the cruise control feature by pressing the button, which is either on or near the steering wheel.
• Take your foot off the accelerator, as the car does not need you to do so anymore to maintain the speed.
• Keep your eye on the road while driving, and be mindful of changing road conditions. Always be aware and ready to react and push the brake if you encounter an obstacle.
• If you want to increase the speed at which the car is going, you can press the given '+' (plus) button.
• If you wish to decelerate and reduce the speed, you can press the given '-' (minus) button.
• The car will deactivate the cruise control If you even slightly press the brake pedal.

The key or the button to activate and deactivate the cruise control, accelerate, and decelerate the same varies from car to car. So, it is important to check before getting behind the wheel.

To begin with, it is a complex process to install the cruise control system in new cars as you have to fiddle with electronics, and it also requires the fitment of hardware. Therefore, it can only be done during the time of manufacturing the car. Also, if you install an aftermarket kit, you may negate the warranty offered by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Along with that, it is not recommended to go for an aftermarket cruise control kit as it may not be very safe.

Latest and newly launched cars come equipped with cruise control except for a few models. Hence, instead of investing in retrofitting a system, it's better and safer to spend that money on buying a car with a built-in cruise control system.

What is Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise control is the latest and updated car technology and a majorly modernized form of cruise control. It automatically adjusts the car's speed according to the speed of the vehicle ahead! More like the car controlling and driving on its own! The foundation of this technology is to make sure that the car maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, regardless of changes in its pace.

An A-level autonomous driving technology, the adaptive cruise control uses radar sensors to evaluate the difference in speed and distance from the car in front. For example, if the car or vehicle in front of your car slows down or speeds up at once, with adaptive cruise control, your car will reduce its speed or accelerate the same to maintain the set distance from the preceding car or vehicle. This feature is mainly found in premium and luxury cars.

What are the Pros and Cons of Cruise Control?

Advantages of cruise control in a car

• Convenience of the driver
• Increases mileage
• Helps you drive safely
• Effortless control

Disadvantages of cruise control in a car

• Have to be careful in certain road conditions
• Increases reaction time when you need to be quick
• It can lead to drowsiness

Take Away

Cruise control is a major progress in-car technology and an attraction in variants that come with it, and while it sounds dreamy and super futuristic and convenient while driving, it may not be for everyone! Therefore, before you decide to get yourself a car with cruise control, understand the nuances, how it works, its pros and cons, and whether it is suitable to your needs and environment.