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Author	Topic: Reasons NOT to use cruise control?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

feeblegenius Rookie Author Connecticut Posts:10 Points:12,205 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 2, 2012 7:06:11 PM Ignore feeblegenius Report Abuse I use it religiously, mostly because my commute is long and I believe it helps with gas mileage. So tell me...any good reasons NOT to use it?

feeblegenius

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Connecticut

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Message Posted: Oct 2, 2012 7:06:11 PM

Ignore feeblegenius Report Abuse

I use it religiously, mostly because my commute is long and I believe it helps with gas mileage.

So tell me...any good reasons NOT to use it?

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beachd8 All-Star Author Orange County Posts:877 Points:140,975 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 12:08:20 PM Ignore beachd8 Report Abuse The elevation change from 31' to 115' on my way to work is a killer! jk Most days I only drive within an 8 mile radius of my home. It's pretty flat, but is mostly surface streets. Not ideal conditions for cruise control. When I take a road trip, I use cruise control when I think about it.
bkee25 Rookie Author Seattle Posts:15 Points:7,675 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jan 15, 2013 7:42:34 PM Ignore bkee25 Report Abuse i drive a standard, it has cruise control, i get less mpg when i use it.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,410 Points:695,260 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jan 13, 2013 9:28:22 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse RIVERRISING writes (about cruise control): NEVER. sucks fuel. _____ Cruise control will save fuel if it's used under the conditions where it performs best: flat roads and low traffic. The opposite is also true. Newer adaptive systems will increase fuel savings when they take advantage of traffic and changing elevation. [Edited by: Houckster at 1/13/2013 9:29:27 AM EST]
riverrising Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,911 Points:1,065,270 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 12, 2013 10:37:06 AM Ignore riverrising Report Abuse NEVER. sucks fuel.
GrumpyCat Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,757 Points:810,870 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 12:05:16 PM Ignore GrumpyCat Report Abuse On flat and level a CC will return best MPG for a given speed. But not on hills. Is better to let the vehicle speed up 5 to 8 MPH on the way down and then hold the throttle fixed on the way up than to close it on the way down and floor it on the way up.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,875 Points:1,609,150 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 10:15:37 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse During rush hour
rjro Champion Author Albany Posts:1,274 Points:515,870 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 8:26:50 AM Ignore rjro Report Abuse Icy roads & heavy rain. hydroplaning.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 6:39:37 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Slippery roads
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 6:39:26 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Roads
snodoopaw Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,370 Points:2,002,995 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 7:14:11 PM Ignore snodoopaw Report Abuse When towing a heavy load on the trailer.
ggg452 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,710 Points:359,525 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2013 4:01:50 AM Ignore ggg452 Report Abuse when the roads are slippery/icy...
eyegotgas2 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,244 Points:284,130 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2013 3:22:30 AM Ignore eyegotgas2 Report Abuse It has its uses but if people are drowsy or driving intoxicated it could be deadly.
happylilly Sophomore Author St. Louis Posts:111 Points:228,755 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2013 1:10:01 AM Ignore happylilly Report Abuse make me sleeply
waynecz Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:219 Points:243,935 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 10:53:53 PM Ignore waynecz Report Abuse It drives my wife nuts cause I use it all the time, or wait that is a reason TO use it!
WES03 Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,980 Points:1,291,495 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 8:44:51 AM Ignore WES03 Report Abuse Local low speed commutes.
LauraLea5 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:779 Points:439,085 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 3:37:17 AM Ignore LauraLea5 Report Abuse Heavy traffic and maybe poor road conditions
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,397 Points:1,388,415 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 10:14:31 PM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse Ah, the advantage of sufficient torque so that down shifting isn't an issue. Too much weight for you engine is the issue not the cruise control.
CptSteve Champion Author Illinois Posts:13,306 Points:2,671,915 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 10:02:10 PM Ignore CptSteve Report Abuse Heavy traffic or slick roads.
BIGZMEISTER Rookie Author Provo Posts:20 Points:137,850 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 9:30:27 AM Ignore BIGZMEISTER Report Abuse Up hills is right, cruise would downshift causing your car to pump extra gas not needed. Good call out. :)
donzo00 Champion Author Nevada Posts:12,239 Points:1,667,710 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 1:47:18 AM Ignore donzo00 Report Abuse it makes me fall asleep after some time
tdioiler All-Star Author Detroit Posts:933 Points:441,935 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2013 9:49:56 PM Ignore tdioiler Report Abuse Borsht is right. If you are driving hills you are better off not using the cruise.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2013 7:25:11 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Stop & go!
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2013 7:25:11 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Stop & go!
borsht All-Star Author Oakland Posts:929 Points:218,230 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 8:23:15 PM Ignore borsht Report Abuse One can get better gas mileage by not using it, if he is conscious of hills. To maximize your fuel economy, lose about 5MPH going up hill. Pick it up going down hill. this is free energy. The cruise control will maintain your speed, shift down to higher engine rpm, wasting gas.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,373 Points:355,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 7:22:29 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse busy freeways to use it [Edited by: carinthuist at 1/3/2013 7:25:18 PM EST]
BIGZMEISTER Rookie Author Provo Posts:20 Points:137,850 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 3:36:23 PM Ignore BIGZMEISTER Report Abuse I don't think there is a single reason not to use it. And a interesting fact for icy / bad weather - if your car tells outside temperature and usually beeps when it is below freezing, thats not just to say "hey it's cold". It reports the signal to your sensor chip for your transmission and anti-lock breaks usually controlled by traction control (some cars it's a little green light for the second or two when it is used) Basically cars are remarkably intelligent - when you hit resume on your cruise and there is ice on the road and the tire goes to slip it transfers the power to the tire with traction and goes back and forth and will allow the safest way to increase speed. "The Test" (disclaimer, I do not recommend anyone to do this ever!) If you go to an icy large parking lot with no cars. 90% of cars have button to turn off traction control (probably a button you have never pressed) turn off you traction control and floor it. if you really want to "test other smart systems your car has" pump the brake to stop as older cars it was required. The second part is make sure your traction control is on, Floor the gas - your actual time to the determined "finish line" will be faster with traction control on. When breaking you can apply steady even pressure all the way to the floor if you want and you will notice a much faster stopping time as well. All of this was to demonstrate our cars know more about driving in such conditions than we do. disclaimer* but driving with your cruise on can actually be much safer.... Plus increase gas mileage.... :-) I'm a tech junky and it is shown and noted that by 2020 computers will become a much superior "brain" than any of us. NO TERMINATOR event will happen. It just means we can tell us what we are trying to accomplish and it can solve it well before man. England has cars currently on their roads that drive themselves. This began two years ago. Trust your car - it's smarter than you think.
budman1035 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,838 Points:672,400 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 2:25:31 PM Ignore budman1035 Report Abuse Heavy traffic
snodoopaw Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,370 Points:2,002,995 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 2:10:39 PM Ignore snodoopaw Report Abuse I almost always use it on interstate type driving. Rarely on local roads. I'm planning a 1400 mile round trip drive this month. About 80% should be on Cruise Control weather permitting. [Edited by: snodoopaw at 1/3/2013 2:12:08 PM EST]
gougenator Champion Author Dallas Posts:30,042 Points:3,270,900 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:20:49 AM Ignore gougenator Report Abuse heavier traffic wet /icy snowy roads the main 2 reasons i never use it
roxanebay All-Star Author Nova Scotia Posts:576 Points:170,215 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:13:23 AM Ignore roxanebay Report Abuse Icy or wet slippery roads
GLM4205 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,187 Points:826,045 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:08:42 AM Ignore GLM4205 Report Abuse City and bad weather.
outlaw329 Champion Author Austin Posts:7,739 Points:1,399,890 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 1:27:41 AM Ignore outlaw329 Report Abuse My Jeep Wrangler doesn't have cruise so that is a pretty good reason!
Karisholman Veteran Author Nevada Posts:281 Points:186,160 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2013 11:54:00 PM Ignore Karisholman Report Abuse I always use on long trips
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,742 Points:2,534,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2013 10:47:00 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse #1 to p*** off the cars behind you. Speed up, slow down, speed up. slow down. That's what you do when you don't use it. Almost ALL of you.
BIGZMEISTER Rookie Author Provo Posts:20 Points:137,850 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2013 3:47:18 PM Ignore BIGZMEISTER Report Abuse Cruise control increases gas mileage as most drivers are prone to be distracted, phone, radio, others (talking), anything outside the car. With these distraction, statistically drivers fluctuate their speed much more often and open the fuel intake in the carburetor or fuel injection to react to you changes in pressure. Vehicles since 2000 and slightly before are "smart' cars. That means based on the key - different drivers - The car learns your typical driving habits and mimics your usual changes. This will then change the way cruise control acts which is why those who haven't used it because of more agressive driving habits will not notice a difference in mileage. Those who trust the car and it's natural settings will see 3 to 5 MPG difference with cruise on. This is also a bell curve depending on the type of vehicle you have. The larger, gas guzzlers would notice the biggest difference. In my lifted Diesel guzzling Dodge I gain 6-8 MPG. However - your A/C will effect it, but only about 1 MPG or less.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,123 Points:37,065 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 9:29:35 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse In slower traffic under 50 mph.where most drivers stay 50-100 ft from each other,exceptions then,150-200 ft.maybe cruise can bring about a rear-ender.The slightest distraction,even with the brake pedel releasing the C.. C.. control can often be too late comming about. Cruise is handy when used proper,not for being lazy/krazy/silly/dilly..LOL!
d_clark Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,023 Points:402,205 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 3:46:28 PM Ignore d_clark Report Abuse I never use it. Have driven from Michigan to OKC several times, making the almost 1000 mile trip in one day, never use cruise control.
Jeff1226 Sophomore Author Flint Posts:127 Points:8,075 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 7:08:30 AM Ignore Jeff1226 Report Abuse I don't know any reasons to not use cruise
dgsteven All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:937 Points:234,500 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 3:42:36 AM Ignore dgsteven Report Abuse so boring to make me tire
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,410 Points:695,260 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 12:07:31 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse The cruise control feature as it is executed on most cars is a dumb device that requires as much driver attention as just driving the car. In hilly terrain, it is better to just leave it off because it is good to increase speed on downhill runs to build momentum for the climb ahead. In busy traffic it is just better to leave it off because people are constantly switching lanes and sometimes very abruptly. There have been very few instances where I found it useful because road and traffic conditions change so quickly. With the adaptive cruise controls starting to become available, my opinion could change. [Edited by: Houckster at 12/30/2012 12:09:54 PM EST]
jrferrari All-Star Author Orlando Posts:652 Points:172,590 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 9:14:50 AM Ignore jrferrari Report Abuse I don't care what it costs in fuel mileage. Cruise control is a luxury I'm willing to splurge to use.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,184 Points:2,457,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 8:09:02 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse Cruise can't look at the road and anticipate events that will happen, and it certainly can't make good judgements when going over a hill. A human being can. Cruise is great, but I turn it off temporarily in certain situations. And in snow and ice, I don't bother turning it on.
Cottagegirl727 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:941 Points:299,245 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 7:47:48 AM Ignore Cottagegirl727 Report Abuse I use it on interstates when not in heavy traffic
cv Champion Author Raleigh Posts:15,349 Points:3,294,280 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 7:32:00 AM Ignore cv Report Abuse I only use cruise when on a sustained trip on an interstate highway.
sagnat Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,293 Points:336,065 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2012 2:48:15 PM Ignore sagnat Report Abuse I get better MPG without the cruise as I can hold steady RPMs instead of steady speed.
Jeff1226 Sophomore Author Flint Posts:127 Points:8,075 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2012 7:41:43 AM Ignore Jeff1226 Report Abuse I use cruise whenever I can
JasTheAce Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,110 Points:200,035 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 5:11:36 PM Ignore JasTheAce Report Abuse high traffic areas
JasTheAce Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,110 Points:200,035 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 5:11:35 PM Ignore JasTheAce Report Abuse high traffic areas
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,504 Points:136,115 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Dec 20, 2012 10:52:52 AM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse I'm uneasy using cruise control because my foot is too far away from the brake pedal. I ususally put my foot flat on the floor or elsewhere. Kinda dangerous when you think about it.
drydem Sophomore Author Maryland Posts:135 Points:3,580 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 8:17:37 PM Ignore drydem Report Abuse When going downhill - cruise control will sometimes apply the brakes to keep your car from going too fast - using the brakes to maintain a fix speed is not as fuel efficient as allowing the car to gain speed on the downhill and allowing aerodynamic drag and gravity and road surface friction to naturally slow down the car.