Does anyone actually use cruise control?

[iandsm]

I have tried many times to use the cruise control on our cars and motorhome, yet cant get the feeling that the vehicle is slightly out of control from my mind. I know I have friends who use it all the time and wouldn't be without, but I never feel happy when its on. It just makes me nervous. How does everyone else feel? Is it me? Am I being paranoid?

I think you asked a question and answered it in one post. Be guided by your friends recommendations but if you don't like it yourself, don't use it. You are not paranoid.

 

[joncris]

I use mine all of the time and with the auto change g/box it makes for a very relaxing drive

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Yes, use it in car and motorhome

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Meant to add that it stops me breaking speed limits!

 

[Brightspark]

I use it on dual carriageway & motorways. It certainly helps with mpg & prevents speeding with a heavy vehicle especially when towing, but I know what you mean. When it's 'on' I feel myself reading the road more intently knowing that there is that split second before its off. I normally find my right foot hovering over the brake pedal to tap it off.

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[injebreck99]

I use ours quite a bit where possible but never use it in the rain, very dangerous.

 

[mjltigger]

I use it in the car. Don't have it in the camper

In the car I use it for long empty roads for comfort, in roadworks to protect my licence and on busy roads for safety as I can cover the brake continously letting the car worry about keeping me moving at a steady pace.

 

[joncris]

They do.......

But it was/is a simple hand throttle...similar to the old style manual choke knob.....further you pull out the lever the faster you go.

A real technological breakthrough.........100 years ago.

As did my 1st car a 1940's Morris e-type which had suicide front doors, cable brakes

which faded alarmingly quickly when going downhill and built in hydraulic jacks

 

[rupert]

i'v got an automatic car with cruise control but when your going down hill it will change down to slow you down it drives me crazy.. what happens with a manuel ? does it brake to slow you down ??

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I use it at every opportunity especially in my car which is auto. Brilliant bit of kit.

There's a cruise control game. Not that I've ever played it or condone it of course

All you need to do it find the highest speed you can activate your cruise control. You have to cover at least a mile with it on for it to count.

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[bungy]

Never in the motorhome for the same reason as given in the OP.

I use it in the car a lot though as it has one of those gizmo's that controls the distance between you and the car in front. If traffic slows, you slow with it.

Bit of a leap at first though isnt it!!!!

 

[gus-lopez]

They do.......

But it was/is a simple hand throttle...similar to the old style manual choke knob.....further you pull out the lever the faster you go.

A real technological breakthrough.........100 years ago.

Nothing wrong with a nice simple hand throttle !

i'v got an automatic car with cruise control but when your going down hill it will change down to slow you down it drives me crazy.. what happens with a manuel ? does it brake to slow you down ??

& if you haven't got cc on & brake for a period going downhill it does exactly the same , changes down.

I think the very newest manual cars with cc have a braking facility on downhill sections if the speed picks up.

 

[Mousy]

We find its really useful on long journeys, you know when it gets a bit boring so you have a wander down the motorhome to streach your legs, make a cup of tea or use the on board facilities. Of course I'm not driving so can do that anytime but when martin needs a rest from driving he hits the cruise control button, I reach over and grab the steering wheel and half an hour later he comes back refreshed. It's brilliant.

 

[JimboT]

does anyone use when wedge out steering wheel and you can make a cup of tea when driving along hope no one pulls out on you?

 

[ABZSteve]

Don't ave my Moho yet but I will use it. I have been using it for 15 years on my car from 20mph to 70 mph. Really p1$$es off the to$$ers who want to go faster than 20mph when the school restriction speed limits are on.

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[JimboT]

does anyone use when wedge out steering wheel and you can make a cup of tea when driving along hope no one pulls out on you?

I was only joking ! please don't try this or try using the loo!

 

[Ed Excel]

As Puddleduck said, invaluable for someone with 'leg' problems. Had a system fitted to the previous van that allowed two speed settings, which was nice. Never use it to get back to set speed, it's called Cruise Control.

 

[Baggers53]

Use it all the time in both car and MH.....in fact I paid to have cruise control fitted to MH
as an after purchase extra!!!!

 

[GeeMags]

Great for European roads in France and Spain. On our 3 litre auto fiat, cruise control set at 2000 revs = 32-33 mpg on average, coupled with relaxed driving in between the tolls.

 

[Tobym]

Use it all the time as well. Very handy on the a9 with these average speed cameras now.

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[Reallyretired]

I use mine occasionally in the car but use the speed limiter all the time in the motorhome. Ensures I keep to the speed limits without constant speedo watching, especially in those very low speed limits in France 20kph, have even seen 15kph.
I find the speed limiter more useful than actual cruise control, and while the MH has both, my car only has cruise control.

 

[PORKSTER]

All the time

 

[andyman]

Would'nt want to be without it. When i used to tow a caravan i always seem to get better mpg when using it.

 

[bernardfeay]

When I change my car or MH the first criteria on the list is cruise control. An earlier respondent humoursly mentioned only using it when they go to the loo; I use it when I need a nap.

Adaptive cruise control is even better but I can't afford that - maybe next time.

 

[StitchesnFluff]

So cruise =
No speeding tickets (or less depending on who you are!)
Economy
Relaxed driving style

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[pizzajohn]

I always mine on my Fiat based Auto-Trail but it appears to sometimes lose its memory and I'm unsure whether it's me (misuse) or the thing itself!

 

[TheCaller]

I sympathise with the OP & the 'lack of control' feeling. It's only when you start using cruise control that you realise just how many minor speed adjustments you do make in normal driving.

The current Fiat system is pretty good. It is easy to make speed adjustments up & down & it's a touch of the button on the end of the stalk to disengage. I had it on a Saab automatic some years ago that had a really awkward disengage operation. I think they expected you to disengage by dabbing the brake, which I hate as it sends a misleading signal to following traffic.

I do agree with the earlier comment about braking on motorways. On the rare occasion I have to use the brake on a motorway I generally give myself a telling off for not paying sufficient attention to what was going on around me.

Do I use it? Yes, mostly on dual carriageways & motorways. Sometimes on single carriageways in light traffic & where the road allows a constant speed. Very useful in those long 50mph roadworks sections with the average speed cameras.

 

[mpdcymru]

Use it on the car and motorhome. Fantastic device. You do need to look ahead and plan your journey though especially when catching trucks. I like to cruise around the 60 mark which is good for fuel in my Peugeot and keeps bme below lots of sped limits. Also use it when I am in those average speed limit areas or when in an empty road works lane. Probably saved me several speeding tickets over the years

 

[Deltacharlie26]

I wouldn't have a MH or car these days without one. The slightest touch of the clutch (and it is a slight touch, not enough to do anything other than disconnect the cruise) or brakes in my Fiat ducato disconnects it so in traffic, touch the clutch, no brake lights to confuse following vehicles, and re engage when new speed is reached after normal engine braking. Very relaxing, no aching right foot on long trips. Brilliant. Try one, you won't go back.

 

[joncris]

When I change my car or MH the first criteria on the list is cruise control. An earlier respondent humoursly mentioned only using it when they go to the loo; I use it when I need a nap.

Adaptive cruise control is even better but I can't afford that - maybe next time.

Yes very funny but some years back a Yank female did just that. Having collected their new MH she engaged the CC and went back to make a cup of coffee. Apparently when explaining the CC the salesman commented "it drives itself madam" so she let it

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