Infomation About Differant Type Of Car Cruise Control Sytems and their opperation.
A cruise control system is either an mechanical, or an electronic system that enables you to fix a vehicle on a specific speed, this allows you to take your foot off the accelerator peddle. Cruise control was usually only found on top of the line cars, but now is fitted as standard on a wide range of vehicles, it is also available for aftermarket retrofitting. The cruise control system Is activated by pressing the control buttons while you’re driving. The main function are usually, ‘on/off’, with ‘set’/ accelerate and 'resume / decelerate‘ also a cancel’ function. Control buttons are located either on the steering wheel, or around the steering column usually a stalk. Cruise control operates slightly different between varying models of vehicle, there is also a difference between OEM, and aftermarket cruise controls. Most systems work in a very similar manner.
There are usually four states that a cruise control can be in, 1. Turned off, can not use cruise at all, 2. On, system is on and ready to engage. 3. Engaged, cruise will take over the speed control of the vehicle. 4. Disengaged, you are back in control of the vehicles speed.
Below are the basic steps you would normally take to start using your cruise control system.
1. Accelerate to the speed you would like the cruise control to work at, Cruise control is designed for driving at a steady speed and may not be able to engage below 30 mph. Once you reach your desired speed, pressing the set button will engage the cruise control system. You will feel the cruise control system engage and take over the speed control, On some vehicles a light will appear on your dashboard either when your cruise is turned on, or when cruise control is on and engaged.
2. Accelerating: Pressing the ‘up’ arrow or ‘+’ button on the cruise control system will allow you to increase the vehicle's speed. On some vehicle's depressing the accelerator passed a certain point will disengage the cruise control system.
3. Decelerating: Pressing the down arrow or ‘-‘ button on the cruise control system will reduce the vehicle's speed. Applying the brake will disengage the cruise control. For safety reasons, cruise control will always disengaged when you press the brake.
4. Resume: Pressing the resume button will re-engage the cruise control, and take's the vehicle back to the last set speed. This feature works best on automatics, but will still work on a manual under the right conditions.
Other functions: The ‘cancel’ button disengages the cruise control, giving you full control back again without the system fully switching off. Some cruise controls systems have a memory function, this allow you to pre-set a speed in the systems memory, and gives you the ability to recall that set speed with the touch of a button.
This type of stalk is typical OEM (original equipment manufacturer), and is usually fitted as standard at the production stage of the vehicle.
This is one of many types of dashboard symbols on a vehicle that indicates cruise control is switched on, or is on and active (engaged).
Universal after market retro-fit cruise control stalk, compatible with a wide range of modern vehicle's.Picture is fitted to a Fiat 500