cruise control

[RYN]

never had a car with cruise control, does that just limit your speed to whatever you choose?

[Martin L]

It keeps the car at a constant speed. It doesn't work so well on manual cars though as it can't "drop a gear" automatically when say climbs come.
It basically is a device for lazy cruising, more suited for US freeways then the UK I guess.

[dcfkan]

Quote:

Originally posted by RYN
does that just limit your speed to whatever you choose?

Yup! Once the speed has been set, the car will drive itself at that speed until you change gear/accelerate/brake etc.

Quite handy on fluid open roads and in areas with a speed restriction IMHO.

DK

[MiniMRK]

Good point, dcfkan! My wife and I use cruise a lot in areas that have wide roads but low posted speed limits (and lurking police cruisers). It helps keep you honest in those areas and lets you stretch your legs on long trips.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by dcfkan

Yup! Once the speed has been set, the car will drive itself at that speed until you change gear/accelerate/brake etc.

Quite handy on fluid open roads and in areas with a speed restriction IMHO.

DK

A point of clarification. The car will not "drive itself".

DK, I know that is not what you meant, but it reminds me of an old story (probably totally false) about a driver on the US Interstate highway system who was driving along at highway speeds in a new van, and was somewhat unfamiliar with the vehicle's luxury features. Supposedly, the story goes, the man decided set the cruise control and then climbed into the back of the van to relax. The man fully expected the car to drive on its own, (to "cruise" down the road), not only maintaining the set speed, but also steering itself down the highway as needed. Of course he soon crashed.

I doubt the story is true, but it is interesting that US car manufacturers don't really use the term "cruise control" anymore. Instead, the term "speed control" is often used. Hmmmmm.....