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I know this may sound strange but i have always thought that cruise control in the UK has got to be the biggest waste of space ever,when can you ever use it?I am of course ready to be corrected.
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All the BMs I've driven have an irritating peculiarity of engaging CC when you pass through the speed you last set it at --that is if the system is on but disengaged. That's the only problem I've encountered.
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I use cruise control on motorways all the time. It doesn't suit if you are trying to aggresively fight your way up the M1 at max speed in rush hour, but if you are content to sit in the middle lane at an appropriate speed its great.
Its also very good when the speed limit is un-natural - for example 30mph on a dual carriageway with cameras.
And finally on the long run down to West Wales late at night from London it also prevents ymy speed creeping up inappropriately.
However, it is a tool to be used with care. It can cause you to relax too much or lose concentration and it can also cause mild panic if you forget and think lifting your foot off will slow you down.
Once you are used to it, and if you use it with care, its a great thing.
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... but if you are content to sit in the middle lane at an appropriate speed its great.
You're not a member of the Lane 2 Residents' Association I hope, Mark!
Once you are used to it, and if you use it with care, its a great thing.
Agree wholeheartedly.
Terry
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Have you seen the M1 in rush hour ?
Loads of trucks in Lane 1, loads of fools knocking 30 seconds off their 3 hour journey weaving in and out of Lane 3, and a reasonably sane Lane 2.
Lane 3 you spend all your time havy on the brakes or heavy on the accelerator because of forever changing speeds and lunatic manouvers. In lane 2 the average speed is probably no different but its a hell of a lot less hassle.
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Have you seen the M1 in rush hour ?
Only once, Mark. Not a pretty sight! In that case I agree lane 2 is a sensible option, but I'm not certain I'd use CC in that sort of traffic.
Terry
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I have it on my Vectra and, although it wasn't a "must have" when I bought the car, I find that it is very useful. The initial errors I made were forgetting that I had engaged it and getting a bit too close to the car in front.
I agree with Mark - temporary speed limits through motorway roadworks and un-naturally low limits it's a boon.
I once found it very good after a walking weekend on Dartmoor - shins were aching so, with an empty M5, I cruised all the way.
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I use it only because I have it as standard equipment. If I was buying new then, in common with sat-nav, sunroof and power seats, it would probably remain an unchecked box on the options list.
Many systems (including mine) don't engage below 40mph, ostensibly for safety reasons, which removes one potential use. However, I think CC is a boon on the motorway. Even in the UK, there are plenty of times outside peak hours (and inside if you're willing to go with the flow like Mark) when steady-speed cruising over long distances is possible.
The point about using cruise in adverse conditions is well made though, and something I hadn't considered before. Anything which removes the driver from the equation, however quickly overriden, can be dangerous.
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1 - I agree wholeheartedly with Mark's comments, when used sensibly and when not trying to drive faster than the rest of the traffic, CC is great
2 - I appear to be missing something. What is the connection between using CC and losing control of one's vehicle either by aquaplaning or when driving in poor conditions?
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I too agree with Mark's comments, but I dont understand the connection with aquaplaning etc.
If cruise is on and the car twitches slightly the cruise control will switch off and the ASR system cuts in immediately.
Surely no manufacturer would have a cruise control system that carries on working if the car looses grip.
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I think you want cc with distronic (I haven' got it)
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The only time I used CC was as Mark, unusual speed limits and cameras.
The only time I ever used it on a motorway was on an empty M40, set it for 75mph and that was it. Didn't disengage it for 80 miles.
I don't have it on my new car and surprise, surprise don't miss it at all.
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Mark(RLBS) said >>".. it can also cause mild panic if you forget and think lifting your foot off will slow you down...">>
I avoid this problem by keeping my foot on the foot-rest and off the accelerator pedal - but that presumes every CC equipped car has a foot rest.
I too initially thought CC would not be of great benefit in the UK. However, after having RTFM, I find that CC can be used on most roads out of town most of the time. The key point to remember is that CC is not simply for travelling at one set speed. The system on my E39 BMW allows me to vary the set point up or down using buttons on the steering wheel so that acceleration/decelartion can be achieved in a nice smooth manner. The problem pugugly mentions is encountered if you use the gas-pedal to re-accelerate. After slowing down for whatever reason, the ability to ask the system to automatically "resume" speed to your previous set point is also useful.
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I use cruise control most of the time, not least to adhere to speed limits. Well designed systems are very easy to engage and disengage -- a simple flick of the stalk in my case. I first used it on hire cars in the USA; in light of that enjoyable and stress-reducing experience I had it fitted to my Audi 100 (1989--99), retro-fitted to my first MB Coupé (1999--2001) and it was already installed in my second MB Coupé (2001--present). Many people think it's a waste of time in British road conditions, but I couldn't agree less. Apart from the stress-reduction factor, I take it to be a more efficient means of controlling the accelerator than my right foot is, and this is manifested in reduced fuel consumption.
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In response to the questions concerning aquaplaning, etc., all I can say is that my system didn't cut out when the rear wheels hit ice and engine revs surged, and I felt that I had better control in those difficult conditions with it switched off. Perhaps my MB 1996 system is more primitive than more modern variants.
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I'm not fully sure how cruise control gets it's speed signal. I know for my Vectra it takes a signal from the ABS system and this could be a concensus of opinion between all four wheel sensors. Alternatively, it may be that if the driving wheels are at the rear then the software might take the signals from the front wheels only and form its speed signal from those. Thus, if the driven rear wheels spin up due to a lack of traction the front wheels continue at the same speed (RPM) and give the same vehicle speed to the CC unit and, therefore, it does not see a need to back off the control.
Just guessing on this.
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My old 96yr C-Class would not cut out if the rear wheels spun but if the fronts lost grip it would.
The new ones must sense from all four wheels as it cuts out if it slips or aquaplanes on any wheel.
I think any Merc that has ESP works this way.
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I use my CC a lot of the time and find that when I do my stress levels come down and my fuel consumption goes up.
People have this misconception that it is only to be used on an empty stretch of motorway, but used properly it can be used on most roads very safely.
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Marcos, don't you mean your fuel consumption goes down? It confused me!
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Your right Richard, it is a Monday after all.
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Couldn't agree more - I've had a Scorpio for 2 years, and only got the c/c working three months ago.
Not having to worry about speed limits makes long journeys much more restful, constant small speed corrections are more efficient than occasional larger ones - I find driving on the M6 in most conditions that I can usually manage with just the c/c controls - no brakes, no accelerator. I actually find the cruise control keeps me more alert.
And on Blackpool promenade, long and straight with a 30 limit and loads of cameras, it is ideal.
I would look for cruise control on my next car but one question - my current car is an auto and I use the c/c for the whole 30 - 80mph speed band. Is it more limited with a manual because of the need to change down to accelerate better?
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going back to the orig post....
I think the whole manual should be in the sun visor ! like the airbag warning
or put it another way - RTFM mr & mrs america
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Did I hear somewhere about a CC system that takes into account your distance from the vehicle in front? Or was that just a nice dream?
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TP,
Systems such as 'Distronic' - Mercedes Benz and similar are quite common on top end cars.
I had a Jag XKR driver on IAM training which had this 2 years ago - had him switch it off when I was Observing though.
I suppose it has its advantages but it smacked of 'you have a 5 star safety rating so you can have a snooze at the wheel'.
Matt35.
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