Wednesday, April 10, 2024

How Cruise Control Systems Work HowStuffWorks

meaning of cruise control

It's usually found in more high-end vehicles where top-notch fuel efficiency is a focus for the engineers. 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. So, always be mindful of the weather condition and your surroundings before engaging the system.

Is it safe to use cruise control while driving?

meaning of cruise control

With cruise control, your vehicle will maintain a steady speed when the system is set. Your vehicle’s cruise control system unlocks numerous benefits at the touch of a button — but according to web search data, drivers still have plenty of questions about what it is, what it does, and how it works. Overall, the future of cruise control technology holds promise for creating a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience, with a focus on safety, comfort, and sustainability. After turning on cruise control, you’ll need to set your desired speed. Many systems set the cruise control at the current speed, while others require you to manually set one. You can increase and decrease this speed as needed without interrupting the mechanism.

Enhancing the Ride - Accessories Diagnosis and Repair

meaning of cruise control

Cruise control is an automotive feature that enables drivers to set a desired speed for their vehicle. Once activated, the cruise control system maintains the set speed without the need for constant pedal input. It helps drivers maintain a steady pace on long trips, providing convenience and reducing the likelihood of unintentional speed fluctuations. The driver can set the cruise control with the cruise switches, which usually consist of ON, OFF, RESUME, SET/ACCEL and COAST. These are commonly located on the steering wheel or on the windshield wiper or turn signal stalk. Tapping the knob in the opposite direction will decelerate the vehicle.

How to install cruise control in a car?

You can even find this feature in the top-spec variants of some of the affordable hatchbacks and sedans. Cruise control is convenient for long stretches of driving and it can keep you from speeding if you set your speed to the correct limit. However, if the road conditions are rainy or snowy, cruise control can be dangerous. To use cruise control safely, it’s best to know when you should and shouldn’t use it. [9]  Using cruise control on the highway makes your driving more predictable to other drivers.

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This tech is still pretty new, but it's got a lot of potential. Imagine a future where traffic jams could be a thing of the past. Adaptive cruise control uses sensors around the vehicle’s exterior to maintain speed while keeping a safe following distance from the car ahead. The system will slow you down and speed you up as the flow of traffic fluctuates throughout your commute, removing a lot of the stress from daily driving. However, adaptive cruise control may not work well in bad weather or protect you from sudden movements, so you will want to always keep your full attention on the road.

Super Cruise is a next-level driver assistance feature available on certain GM vehicles. Your modern cruise control system relies on various sensors and switches to do its job properly. As a failsafe, any problem with these sensors can cause the cruise control system to go offline.

CR Rates Active Driving Assistance Systems - Consumer Reports

CR Rates Active Driving Assistance Systems.

Posted: Tue, 17 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

” mapfreinsurance.com/blog/how-does-cruise-control-in-cars-work (accessed July 11, 2023). [5] “6 Cruise Control Safety Tips You Should Never Ignore,” Marisol Pereira and Carrie Adkins, getjerry.com/advice/6-cruise-control-safety-tips-you-should-never-ignore-by-marisol-pereira (accessed April 27, 2022). Kelley Blue Book® Values and pricing are based in part on transactions in your area. Your ZIP code also helps us find local deals and highlight other available offers.

Set Button

With these technologies, the vehicle can steer, accelerate, and brake on its own in certain conditions. Level 2 still requires the driver’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. It can use radar, laser, binocular computer vision systems, a forward-aimed camera, or some combination of these technologies to track the traffic ahead of your vehicle. It senses when that traffic flow slows or stops, reacting to maintain the preset following distance.

Adaptive cruise control

The new technology also allows the system to automatically adjust the car's speed depending on the speed of the vehicle ahead. It ensures that the car maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead despite the constant change in speed of the vehicle moving ahead. It is instrumental in highways or during rush hour traffic and reduces driver fatigue. All cruise control systems must have the capability to be turned off explicitly and automatically when the driver depresses the brake pedal and often also the clutch.

However, the location of the button may vary depending on the make and model. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions related to cruise control in cars. One minute you’re driving your car and everything seems fine, and the next moment you hear a strange noise coming from your car as you accelerate. Speed control existed in early automobiles such as the Wilson-Pilcher in the early 1900s. Here’s a rundown of the terms the various carmakers use for ACC, even those that simply call it adaptive cruise control. 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.

If you notice this happening regularly, have your vehicle diagnosed by a professional. Cruise control is a common feature, and adaptive cruise control is becoming increasingly widespread too. Adaptive cruise control, which monitors the ever-changing road ahead continuously via radar or laser, is potentially better equipped to handle congested roads. There's no definitive answer on whether that's the case, however, because this feature is very different from vehicle to vehicle. Top safety scores are a plus, as is the adaptive cruise control, semiautonomous parking and 180-degree front-end camera.

However, as ACC systems evolved and improved, we became more accustomed to them. Cruise control is still the more prolific of speed controls offered on today’s new cars, but adaptive cruise control has started gaining ground. More car models provide it as standard or as an available option. But, what exactly is adaptive cruise control, and how does it work? The car also sports another set of eyes in the form of  a standard camera that points through the windscreen. This also looks out for nearby hazards, such as pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists, whilst also reading road signs and detecting traffic lights.

When cruise control is no longer needed, or you need to quickly make a maneuver, simply apply pressure to the brakes to disengage the system. Once deactivated, you will be in full control of your vehicle once again. As you’re learning how to operate a vehicle, understanding cruise control will help increase your comfort behind the wheel and knowledge of driving. Typically, the cruise control button is located on the steering wheel for easy access.

However, you need to manually control the gear shifts when the vehicle slows down or accelerates when the system is engaged. Gone are the days when this feature was limited to premium vehicles. Even vehicles with affordable price tags are equipped with intelligent features. Here’s the list of popular cars with the automatic cruising system.

The cruise control system controls the speed of your car the same way you do -- by adjusting the throttle position. 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).

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