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What is cruise control and adaptive cruise control?

Cruise control is a handy feature that can reduce fatigue when driving – we explain how it works

Cruise control stalk

Modern cars are crammed with impressive tech to make driving both easier and safer, and cruise control is perhaps the most common system of the lot. It allows drivers to travel at a preset speed without having to use the accelerator pedal, taking some of the strain out of long motorway drives. The system has existed for decades, but the latest computer and sensor technology has made cruise control smarter than ever.

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Not all cruise control systems are the same. Some include a speed limiter function, designed to stop the driver exceeding the speed limit, while more advanced cars feature adaptive cruise control, allowing the car to slow down and speed up with traffic automatically. In this guide we cover the differences between different systems, as well as how to use them.

What is cruise control?

Cruise control is a system that can control the speed of a car automatically. Most cruise control systems allow the driver to set a specific speed that the car will maintain without the need to use the accelerator pedal. It can be found on cars with an automatic or manual gearbox, although its functions are usually more limited in the latter. Most electric cars also come with cruise control.

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It’s designed to be used on long A-road or motorway journeys, allowing the driver to rest their right foot. The first cruise control systems held the throttle open mechanically, but modern systems are computer-controlled. Many cruise control systems will only activate above a certain minimum speed, usually around 25 to 30mph.

What is adaptive cruise control?

Adaptive cruise control (often abbreviated to ACC) is a more advanced cruise control system that uses lasers, cameras or radar mounted in the front bumper to track the speed and position of the vehicle in front. Cars fitted with the system can automatically match the speed of the vehicle in front and maintain a safe distance. Many systems allow the driver to set their preferred distance to the vehicle in front.

adaptive cruise control

If the vehicle ahead slows down, the driver’s car will also slow down without the need to use the brake pedal. If the vehicle ahead speeds up, the driver’s car will only speed up until it reaches the limit set by the driver. However, only systems paired with an autonomous emergency braking system will automatically perform an emergency stop if the car ahead comes to a sudden halt. 

The system is sometimes referred to as ‘dynamic’ cruise control, while other automakers use their own names; Mercedes calls it ‘Distronic Plus’ and Porsche, ‘Porsche Active Safe’. 

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Some vehicles even have ‘Traffic Jam Assist’, an extension of adaptive cruise control that can automatically slow the car to a halt as well as accelerate and brake at low speeds in congestion, reducing driver fatigue. It’s worth noting that after coming to a halt for more than a few seconds, safety requirements mean driver intervention is usually required; squeezing the accelerator should allow Traffic Jam Assist to resume.

How do I use cruise control?

Check your car’s handbook for the location of the cruise control buttons as they differ from vehicle to vehicle. They are often found in an easy-to-access location, such as on the steering wheel or column stalk, to make them quick and safe to use.

The system can be overridden by pressing on the brake pedal, so you should keep your foot close to the brake in case of emergencies. There may be differences in controls between different manufacturers, so always read your car’s handbook first. Some typical cruise control buttons include:

  • On/off: This activates the system, but probably won’t hold you at your desired speed. Turning it on will almost always be accompanied by a dashboard light.
  • Set: Once the system is switched on, pressing the set button should tell the car to hold the current speed. In most cars this will turn the dashboard indicator green.
  • Cancel: This pauses the cruise control, so you have complete control again, without turning cruise control fully off. The cruise control should still remember the speed you chose to cruise at.
  • Res or resume: Pressing this will see the car accelerate back up to the speed you chose before hitting the cancel button or pressing the brake pedal. You'll still need to change gears in a manual car if necessary. An automatic gearbox will change gears for you.
  • Up and down arrows or ‘+’ and ‘-’: With cruise control activated, use these to increase or decrease the car’s speed. Single presses often increase or decrease the speed in small increments, while holding the same button or stalk changes it in increments of 5mph or even 10mph. Of course, this varies from one model to another.
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Cruise control is best used on long stretches of motorway and should be used to maintain a safe speed while the driver pays full attention to their surroundings. Drivers should not treat cruise control like an autonomous driving system, and the driver needs to pay as much attention to the road when using cruise control as they do with regular driving. Keep your foot near the brake pedal in case of emergencies – a tap of the brakes will deactivate cruise control and allow you to stop safely, without needing to reach for the cancel control.

What is a speed limiter?

Some cars are fitted with a speed limiter, either alongside cruise control or on its own. As with cruise control, you set the maximum speed you’d like to travel at, but unlike cruise control, you're still required to press down the accelerator. This is ideal for busy speed-limit zones, where you may want to maintain complete control of your speed without exceeding the limit. Squeeze the accelerator, and your car will simply reach your chosen speed and stop accelerating. However, pressing the throttle pedal all the way down will override the system –it’s a fail safe designed to let you accelerate out of trouble if needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions
The main benefit of cruise control is reduced fatigue for the driver over long journeys. Cruise control allows the driver to remove their foot from the accelerator pedal, alleviating foot fatigue and reducing stress.

Car technology made simple…

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Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

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