Q&A for How to Use Cruise Control on a Car

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Question

Is it bad to use cruise control?

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor
Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.

Simon Miyerov

Driving Instructor

Expert Answer

No, if you're responsible and you've got a long road trip ahead of you, there's nothing wrong with using cruise control. Just make sure you're paying attention, don't take your hands off of the wheel, and don't use cruise control as a way to "take a break."

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Question

What are the different cruise control settings in my vehicle?

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor
Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.

Simon Miyerov

Driving Instructor

Expert Answer

You'd have to consult your manual; every make and model has different cruise control settings and controls.

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Question

When would you use cruise control?

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor
Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.

Simon Miyerov

Driving Instructor

Expert Answer

It's best to use cruise control on the open road when you're going to be traveling for a long time. You wouldn't want to use it when you're in a busy area or you know you're going to have to slow down and speed up frequently.

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Question

Should you use cruise control when it is raining?

Community Answer

No. Never use cruise control on slippery roads. It could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

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Question

What will happen if I am using cruise control, press on the brake, and then go back to the accelerator?

Community Answer

Hitting the brakes while on cruise control will automatically turn cruise control off. If you accelerate after hitting the breaks, then you are driving normally. You will have to restart cruise control with the buttons/lever.

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Question

Is it important to use cruise control?

Community Answer

When you activate cruise control, your car will maintain the same speed without you having to push the gas pedal with your foot. If you have to go somewhere far away, you might get cramp in your gas pedal foot. So it's easier but it's not necessary and in some contexts, it can be dangerous if you're not paying adequate attention or when the traffic is stop-start and slow or in confined road areas.

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Question

Can I take my hands off the wheel when cruise control is on?

Community Answer

No, you need to keep your hands on the wheel at all times. Cruise control will only help your car maintain its speed. It will not maintain the direction you are going in. If you take your hands off the wheel, your car may drift or sway off its course.

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Question

What is the use of a 'set' button in cruise control?

Community Answer

It is to set activated cruise control. Once active, each press and release will drop your cruise speed by one mph. 'Resume' will return to your previous set speed. Each press and release will increase your speed by one mph.

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Question

Should the speed change if I'm driving on mountain roads with cruise control on?

Community Answer

The speed might change when you're going up a hill or around a curve. Both of these will naturally cause a drop in speed.

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Question

What is the best minimum speed to set cruise control, and should I use it in neighborhoods?

Community Answer

Cruise control is designed for highway use, and is neither intended nor safe for neighborhood use. Most cars won’t engage cruise control below a specific speed (typically 40 km/h, but it varies).

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Question

Will cruise control the brakes going down hills?

Community Answer

No, your cruise control system only operates the throttle, nothing else. It cannot operate any other controls in the car.

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Question

Should I use my cruise control in the city?

Community Answer

If you have a problem maintaining your speed then you should use your cruise control.

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Can I use cruise control in the rain or when the roads are wet?

Community Answer

Yes you can, but it is not recommended as you may lose control of your car.

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Question

Is it normal for cruise control to go faster than its set speed when driving downhill?

Community Answer

Not unless the slope you are driving at is extreme. Cruise control controls your engine, and has a bit of power to slow the speed.

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Question

When the cruise is on, can I shift the car down?

Community Answer

Yes, but it will most likely disengage the cruise control as soon as you change gears or press in the clutch.

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Question

Can I set cruise control in thick traffic?

Community Answer

Yes, but it is not a good idea. Thick traffic often requires a lot of stopping and slowing down. It would take a lot of effort. On top of that, most cars have a minimum speed at which you can use the cruise control, and it simply might not activate.

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Question

Will it hurt the car to leave cruise control on all the time?

Community Answer

No, it won't.

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Question

What do I do if my cruise control fails?

Community Answer

If your cruise control fails, you must turn off your cruise control and take control of the car immediately to avoid crashing or speeding. Then, get the cruise control fixed at your next car service.

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Question

Can I use cruise control as a sort of "launch mode" when I am at a full stop?

Community Answer

No, that won't do anything. You have to be going the speed you want before activating cruise control.

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Question

Where is the safest place to have my right foot while in cruise control?

Community Answer

Place it near the brake, so that if something happens and you need to brake quickly, your foot is already there

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