Cruise Control in a Car: Meaning and How It Works?

What is Cruise Control?

Cruise control in a car is a feature of a vehicle that causes the vehicle to travel at a consistent speed without needing the driver to keep his or her foot on the accelerator pedal. It is very helpful, especially during long journeys, because it saves fuel as the speed is constant.

Cruise control relies on a system that controls the throttle of your car. When you choose the speed you want to travel, your car adjusts the throttle so that you will keep travelling at that speed. So, you can take your foot off the accelerator and relax, and you will still travel constantly.

Cruise control was a primitive system in older models, but modern vehicles have been engineered with technology and are more user-friendly and sophisticated. This feature is very useful when driving along highways or high-speed roads, especially when you don't want to change your speed repeatedly.

How Does Cruise Control Work?

Now that you have understood what cruise control is, let's understand the basic principle of its working to learn what cruise control does. The basic principle of cruise control is a mechanism that controls your car's accelerator. After you set a speed, the system will automatically control the throttle so that the car maintains the set speed, whether it is going uphill or downhill. It does this through sensors that monitor the vehicle's speed and match it to the set speed. Each time the vehicle is going at a faster speed than the selected speed, it reduces the throttle, whereas it increases the throttle whenever it goes at a slower pace.

The cruise control can be activated by a button or switch on the steering wheel or dashboard. You can then set your speed with a button or pedal throttle. The car will then be able to sustain this speed until you switch off the system, brake, or alter the speed again.

Types of Cruise Control in Cars

There are different kinds of cruise control, and they all help, particularly to let you drive more comfortably. Some just keep you at your speed level, while others will adjust speed down or up based on road traffic. Understanding the different kinds of cruise control will help you choose the most appropriate one for your car. Here are the most popular types of cruise control in cars:

Standard Cruise Control

The most popular type is standard cruise control. After you have set the speed, the car continues at the same speed without you needing to push the accelerator pedal. It's very helpful while driving on highways with long straight lines where you do not need to brake or slow down too often. But if you need to brake or slow down, you'll have to do it yourself. Then you can turn the cruise control back on. This is simple, but it's more reassuring to drive on the highway.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Adaptive cruise control is a smart version of normal cruise control. It helps you keep a safe distance from the car ahead. The system uses cameras, sensors, or radar to scan the traffic in front of you. When the car ahead slows down, your car also slows down automatically. When the traffic moves faster again, it returns to your set speed. This enhances driving safety and comfort, particularly when driving in heavy traffic or travelling over long distances.

Dynamic Cruise Control

Dynamic cruise control can also be called adaptive cruise control. It also employs sensors or cameras to monitor other vehicles and slow down your car. But it is more likely to give you more flexible choices and respond more smoothly to traffic. It helps you to keep a smooth flow while driving, although the traffic keeps changing. This type of control is typically found in newer or luxury vehicles. It is ideal for stop-and-go driving, highways, and long travel, making your drive smoother and safer.

How to Use Cruise Control?

It is simple to drive with cruise control and make your long road drives so much easier. It maintains your car at a constant speed without the need to operate the accelerator pedal. However, you must learn the easy steps first and when you are free to use it. Here is how you can do it:

• Turn on the system: Look for the cruise control button on the steering wheel or dashboard and turn it on.
   
• Set your speed: Once the car reaches a speed you’re comfortable with, press the “set” button. This will lock in that speed.
   
• Adjust speed: Press the "+"/"-" buttons on the dashboard or steering wheel to raise or lower your car's speed. The system will adjust your car's throttle accordingly.
   
• Turn it off: To switch off cruise control, you are supposed to press the brake pedal or the "cancel"/"off" button on the steering wheel.

Cruise Control vs Adaptive Cruise Control: Key Differences

Adaptive cruise control and standard cruise control have similar-sounding names but greatly different operations. Both are designed to simplify long driving, but adaptive cruise control further enhances convenience and safety by automatically adjusting to traffic.

• Standard Cruise Control: It keeps the vehicle at a preset speed. The driver must set the speed manually if road conditions or traffic flow change.
   
• Adaptive Cruise Control: Automatically slows down the car. It reduces the pace of the vehicle if there's a car ahead and speeds up when there is no car in front, all this without needing the driver to intervene.

Cruise Control vs Speed Limiter: Key Differences

Though both cruise control and a speed limiter help you regulate your car's speed, the two devices operate in different ways. Cruise control maintains the vehicle at a constant speed, and the speed limiter does not allow you to drive over a particular speed limit, no matter how fast you step on the accelerator pedal.

• Cruise Control: Cruise control keeps the driver-set speed at a constant rate even if the driver himself is not consciously pushing the accelerator.
   
• Speed Limiter: The Speed limiter prevents the car from passing beyond a certain speed. It does not keep a constant speed, but it will not permit the vehicle to go beyond the set limit even if the driver pushes the accelerator hard.

Precautions to Observe When Using Cruise Control

Cruise control is a good thing to have when cruising down the highway. Understanding when and how to use it safely will prevent you from crashes and keep your car in control. While cruise control is a great convenience, some precautions should be observed:

• Use it only on highways: Never employ cruise control during heavy traffic, city streets, or winding roads, as it must be readjusted and watched constantly.
   
• Always be attentive: Even though the system makes the speed adjustment, you should remain attentive and ready to take control if there is an abrupt change in traffic or road conditions.
   
• Turn it off in bad weather: Road conditions can change in seconds when it's raining, snowing, or foggy; cruise control may be too late to react. Safer to turn it off in all these conditions.
   
• Don't use it on steep hills: While cruise control can adapt to inclines, it might not work properly on steep hills. The car may slow while going up or speed too much while coming down.

Pros and Cons of Cruise Control

Like any other driving aid, cruise control has both advantages and disadvantages. Awareness of them will help you recognise when to use them and whether it is the right feature for your driving style.

Pros:

• Reduces Driver Fatigue: Extended driving is less exhausting because cruise control reduces the number of speed adjustments.
   
• Better Fuel Efficiency: With stable speed, the car can save fuel, especially on highways.
   
• Convenience: It is easier to drive at a constant speed without always having your foot on the pedal.

Cons:

• Needs Attention: Although it makes driving at a constant speed easier, the driver has to remain alert and prepared to act at all times.
   
• Not for All Roads: It is unsuitable for turning or busy roads where constant speed changes are required.
   
• Can't Handle Muddled Traffic: Cruise control doesn't perform well on busy roads or during traffic because the car can't accelerate or decelerate in time for sudden changes.

List of Cruise Control Cars in India

More and more vehicles in India are equipped with cruise control, which has eased long-distance driving. A few of the most sought-after models that come with standard or adaptive cruise control as a standard or optional feature are given below:

Frequently Asked Questions