Cruise Control: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve ever hit a button on the steering wheel and let your car keep a steady speed, you’ve used cruise control. It’s a simple tool that can make long drives less tiring and can even help you save gas. Below we break down how it works, the different types you might see, and the best ways to use it safely.

Types of Cruise Control

There are basically two kinds you’ll run into. The first is traditional cruise control – you set a speed, and the car’s throttle holds that speed until you brake or cancel. It’s great for highways where traffic flows at a constant pace.

The second is adaptive cruise control (ACC). ACC adds radar or camera sensors that watch the traffic ahead. When a slower car appears, the system automatically slows down, then speeds back up when the road clears. Some ACC setups can even stop the car completely and resume when traffic moves.

Best Practices for Using Cruise Control

Even though cruise control does a lot of the work, you still need to stay alert. Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel; the system won’t react to sudden obstacles like a stopped bike or a roadblock.

Use cruise control on flat, open roads where speed limits are steady. On hilly terrain, the system may work harder to maintain speed, which can waste fuel instead of saving it. If you notice the car’s speed dropping on an incline, it’s a sign to turn the feature off.

When you encounter heavy traffic, switch off cruise control. Frequent braking and accelerating defeats the purpose and can wear out the system faster.

Finally, remember that cruise control is a helper, not a replacement for safe driving. Treat it like a tool that makes cruising easier, but keep your own judgment in charge.

By understanding how cruise control works and following these simple tips, you’ll enjoy smoother rides, better fuel economy, and less fatigue on those long hauls. Stay safe, stay in control, and let the road do the rest.