Monday, April 1, 2024

What Is Cruise Control In A Car and How It Works

cruise meaning in a car

Moreover, installing such a kit involves a complicated process, and it may also void the warranty provided by the car manufacturer. Adaptive cruise control is the more advanced version of the standard automatic cruising system. Another prevalent myth is that prolonged use of cruise control can harm the vehicle’s engine or affect fuel efficiency adversely. Beyond its direct functional implications, the term shows how automobile manufacturers constantly innovate to enhance drives.

Why Use the Cruise Control System?

cruise meaning in a car

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Justin Pritchard is an experienced motoring expert whose work is read and watched by Canadians across the country on a weekly basis. The 2024 Hyundai Elantra and 2024 Toyota Corolla are old rivals in affordable compact cars.

Cruise Control Safety Precautions

cruise meaning in a car

Just as conventional cruise control, adaptive cruise control allows you to set a desired travel speed. But the difference is that the adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance between the car in front of you and your car at a consistent pace by using the forward-mounted sensors. For instance, if the car ahead of your vehicle begins to slow, adaptive cruise control will use the engine brake to automatically slow the pace of your vehicle and maintain the selected distance. Many say adaptive cruise control is a step to autonomous cars in the future.

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However, it is important to note that cruise control shouldn't be used in certain conditions, such as heavy traffic or slippery roads. It allows cars to talk to each other, coordinating their speeds to maintain a safe distance. It's like having a well-coordinated team of cars all working together to make the traffic flow smoother and reduce congestion. Picture it like a synchronized dance on the highway, where every car knows its place and keeps the right distance.

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Before engaging the cruise control in a car, remember that the system is not intended to be used in adverse weather conditions. For example, you may refrain from driving the car at cruising speeds when it’s raining heavily. The low visibility and unpredictable road conditions make it unsafe to drive at such speeds.

What is Cruise Control? A Comprehensive Guide

Since you aren't putting your pedal to the metal, obviously, the vehicle needs to bridge this missing link. To replace your foot pressing against the accelerator, your car deploys the action needed to activate the accelerator valve to maintain the speed you've set for the car. Driving on long stretches of highway can be tiring, especially when trying to maintain a constant speed. Cruise control alleviates this by allowing drivers to set and maintain a desired speed without continuous use of the accelerator pedal. Understanding how cruise control functions can help drivers make the most of this convenient feature.

However, as a safety precaution, almost all cars will deactivate the cruise control as soon as you press the brake pedal. Step 2 - Once your car reaches the desired speed, activate cruise control. Generally, the system activation button will be on the steering wheel.

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Can cruise control be dangerous?

This misinterpretation can lead to potential driving or road mishaps. Understanding the said term equips drivers with the knowledge of their vehicle’s state, signaling that while the cruise control system is activated, it awaits a specific speed setting. In maritime contexts, it referred to ships sailing continuously without set destinations.

But cruise control actuates the throttle valve by a cable connected to an actuator, instead of by pressing a pedal. The throttle valve controls the power and speed of the engine by limiting how much air the engine takes in (see How Fuel Injection Systems Work for more details). By maintaining a steady speed, it reduces the likelihood of erratic driving behavior and potential accidents.

The modern cruise control system comes on the engine control unit of the vehicles. As all the controls of this system feature electronic transmission, including brakes, steering, and throttle, there is no need for additional components. The only manual controls you need are buttons and the basic driver controls.

The cruise control system controls the speed of the car by adjusting the throttle position, so it needs sensors to tell it the speed and throttle position. It also needs to monitor the controls so it can tell what the desired speed is and when to disengage. Cruise control technology plays a vital role in the development of autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars. In autonomous vehicles, cruise control systems work together with other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to enable the vehicle to operate without direct driver input. These systems include lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and collision avoidance systems. Cruise control is less flexible on vehicles with a manual transmission because depressing the clutch pedal and shifting gears usually disengages the cruise control.

It's like having an extra set of eyes on the road, making highway driving a breeze. Plus, some ACC systems can even handle stop-and-go traffic, bringing your car to a full stop and then picking up speed again when traffic gets moving. Speed control existed in early automobiles such as the Wilson-Pilcher in the early 1900s. As we have mentioned in the benefits part, you can relax using the cruise control system while in the driver’s seat, but this doesn’t mean you can take a nap.

Cruise control can also prevent speeding and increase fuel efficiency by limiting unnecessary acceleration and braking. Standard cruise control (simply called cruise control) holds your vehicle’s speed as constant as possible once set. Cruise control is a system that allows the driver to set their car to drive at a specific speed. The driver selects the speed, then takes their foot off the accelerator, and the vehicle will cruise at the set speed. To deactivate, the driver can tap the brakes or disengage the system.

While knowing how to use cruise control can reduce leg fatigue, it can require more mental concentration. The car will maintain speed even if road conditions change, so you must carefully pay attention to the road and traffic. When you’re using your car’s cruise control feature, don’t forget your defensive driving skills. Cruise control is a feature on some vehicles that allows the driver to take their foot off the accelerator while the onboard computer maintains the vehicle’s speed.

So, always be mindful of the weather condition and your surroundings before engaging the system. The system constantly maintains the speed set by you (driver) irrespective of road conditions. For example, if there’s an incline ahead, cruise control adjusts the throttle accordingly to maintain the same speed. Initially, the system used a cable to control the accelerator (throttle valve).

Justin has written one of the largest collections of used car buyer guides on the internet, and his TV program, AutoPilot, has aired over 600 episodes across 16 seasons. With 4 years as co-chair of the Canadian Car of the Year Awards (CCOTY) program, a passion for vehicle testing shines though in all of his work. Before you buy, be sure to determine which type of cruise control system is fitted to the car you’re considering. Using cruise control also reduces wear and tear on both your engine and transmission by running things more smoothly and steadily, and reducing workload on both components.

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