Cruise control experiences?

[S3000]

I started to like the Cruise control since im using it on my new car.
However i can imagine it could be dangerous at some points..

Somebody here experienced extreme situations ?

[MJK 24]

Well you shouldn't encounter an extreme situation as you can turn it off with the switch or just touch the brake pedal, clutch pedal or pull up the handbrake a click to turn it off.

It can feel odd in some situations such as going over the brow of a hill where you might have a confidence lift without cruise control. With it on and maintaining speed, it can feel a little strange.

[paulmoonraker]

If you have brakes in your car you will be okay. If you don't, then best not use it. In this case tape up the buttons.

[VeeFour]

Use it all the time, won't have a daily driver without it now.

It does sometimes feel odd when it applies power in some situations where you'd probably lose a few MPH, but you zoo get used to it.

[cobra kid]

Going down a sharp gradient, does it just accelerate or is there some form of braking?

I'm a cruise control virgin.

[duffman]

I use it all the time and swear by it, it's hard to do anything wrong really! Only thing i can think of is forgetting its on, taking over with the accelerator which doesn't cut it out and then obviously it'll go back to that speed when you come off the gas.

[tr7v8]

cobra kid said:

Going down a sharp gradient, does it just accelerate or is there some form of braking?

I'm a cruise control virgin.

It'll close the throttle to keep the same speed. Some cars will accelerate more on a closed throttle though some keep an eye on your speed downhill in say 40 & 50 limits to make sure the speed doesn't creep up.

[VeeFour]

I find it only gains speed down really steep downhills.

[DLovett]

Falling asleep behind the wheel could prove to be dangerous.

[craigjm]

The only scary experience I have had is when I first got a car with it and had disengaged it with the brake and then inadvertently pushed resume and it started accelerating when i didn't want it to. Once you have done that once you don't do it again.

I don't like the radar cruise that keeps a distance from anything in front it feels unnatural to me

[Hudson]

My car has it, was quite a change from the usual stripped out stheaps i drive.

Its surreal first time but its no more dangerous than holding your foot on the accelerator

[duffman]

VeeFour said:

I find it only gains speed down really steep downhills.

Yep same.

Also, you can play my game of seeing how long you can go on a motorway without using your feet, as soon as you have to intercede start again and try and beat the previous!

[VeeFour]

duffman said:

Yep same.

Also, you can play my game of seeing how long you can go on a motorway without using your feet, as soon as you have to intercede start again and try and beat the previous!

Done that.

Managed a run down the M4 in Feb. 2007 from London to Cardiff pretty much only touching the pedals when I wanted to pull over for coffee.

It did help that snow that day kept most people off the roads.

[davidjpowell]

Different forms of Cruise Control.

Some will just control the accelerator, hit resume and it will just press harder so eventually overshoot the target speed.

MB's are quite clever. Ours will use brakes (though not hard), and if you hit resume it looks at your recent driving before resuming 'smartly' or 'leisurely'.

Been using it for years and only issue I have ever had is where it's buttons on the wheel and very occasionally hitting the radio button instead of cancel. Easily remedied.

[Shotgun Rider]

Just don't do this.

http://blog.rv.net/2009/06/2009-stella-award-winne...

Yes, yes, I know it's not true.

[tim2100]

DLovett said:

Falling asleep behind the wheel could prove to be dangerous.

No st!!

But what has that got to do with cruise control?

OP. I use Cruise daily, even on my 4 mile commute. I'm gutted my next car won't have it on.

[paulwoof]

i had it in my e46 and think i used it about twice. although to be fair i didnt do to many motorway journeys, but found it no more comfortable than using my foot, although the e46 has an accelarator pedal coming from the floor and is quite comfortable if being not very sensitive.

i find i change speeds alot because of MLM's and it was just easier with my foot than mashing the "+" button. does feel weird hooning it without using your feet.

now drive a mk1 mx5 with pretty much no luxurys at all and its so much nicer and simpler.

[grayze]

On cruise control from M5 J7 to M25 Heathrow turn off last month 110 miles it was 3 in the morning though.

The new 5 series also has a limit button which Iuse all the time for driving through average speed cameras.

[66comanche]

tim2100 said:

DLovett said:

Falling asleep behind the wheel could prove to be dangerous.

No st!!

But what has that got to do with cruise control?

OP. I use Cruise daily, even on my 4 mile commute. I'm gutted my next car won't have it on.

It's a moot point, but I suppose if you fell asleep with the cruise on 70mph, you will hit the armco/other vehicle etc at 70mph. Without cruise and falling asleep your foot is unlikely to be pressing the accelerator and you might hit the object at 40/50/60 or even less, depending on the road.

[tim2100]

66comanche said:

tim2100 said:

DLovett said:

Falling asleep behind the wheel could prove to be dangerous.

No st!!

But what has that got to do with cruise control?

OP. I use Cruise daily, even on my 4 mile commute. I'm gutted my next car won't have it on.

It's a moot point, but I suppose if you fell asleep with the cruise on 70mph, you will hit the armco/other vehicle etc at 70mph. Without cruise and falling asleep your foot is unlikely to be pressing the accelerator and you might hit the object at 40/50/60 or even less, depending on the road.

With CC on, I actually feel more awake at the wheel on long trips, due to having the option of moving about and not having to have you foot stuck at one angle.

I think if you fall asleep without cruise you are just as likely to press harder on the pedal.