Written By: Don Dodi
Fact Checked By: Kristen Brown
Reviewed By: Diego Rosenberg
The cruise control actually helps the drivers to save fuel by nearly 14% and that can reduce the stress of the driver as well.
Yes, the Cruise Control is one of the most practical driving features that ideally makes the long journeys way more easier, safer and more fuel-efficient as well.
It is first time introduced by the Chrysler in 1958, as the cruise control was used to design to help the drivers to maintain a steady speed without constantly pressing the accelerator pedal anymore.
And now-a-days, modern cars comes with two main types of it: Traditional Cruise control, which simply locks your car at the chosen speed. And the Adaptive Cruise, which is simply uses its sensors to automatically adjust the speed which is based on the flow of the traffic.
As well as, studies also shows that steady driving actually reduces the fatigue and which is why it becomes really important on the long highway trips that where the concentration can fade away.
So, it is the guide which is particularly about How to Use Cruise Control in most effective ways and you should know that the cruise control can only be used on the clear, open roads in good weather conditions.
2. Understanding Cruise Control
1. Traditional Cruise Control
Traditional cruise control is the original version of this technology, first introduced in mass-selling cars in the late 1950s.
It allows the driver to set a specific speed and the car automatically maintains that speed without pressing the accelerator.
This makes it specially useful on long stretches of highways where the speed limit remains the same for miles.
The system is controlled via simple buttons or a stick mounted on the steering wheel, usually labeled On, Set, Cancel and Resume.
Although this helps reduce fatigue and increase comfort, traditional cruise control does not react to traffic ahead.
This means the driver still has to be fully alert, ready to brake or manually adjust speed if another vehicle gets in the way or traffic suddenly slows down.
2. Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control, often called smart or dynamic cruise control, is a more advanced version that uses radar, cameras, or laser sensors to monitor the distance between your car and the car ahead.
Instead of just maintaining a set speed, it automatically slows down or speeds up to maintain a safe distance.
For example, if traffic slows down, the system gradually reduces your speed and when the road clears, it brings you back to your chosen speed.
Many modern vehicles also let drivers adjust the distance, providing more comfort and safety during highway travel.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), adaptive cruise control has been proven effective in reducing rear-end accidents, making it not only more convenient but also a proven safety feature.
3. When to Use Cruise Control
Cruise control works best on highways or expressways where traffic is light to moderate and the road is straight and predictable.
In such situations, it helps drivers maintain a steady speed, reduces unnecessary acceleration and braking and improves fuel economy.
The U.S. Department of Energy says that maintaining a steady speed on open highways can save a lot of fuel, which means lower emissions.
Long-distance drivers benefit the most, as cruise control reduces physical strain by giving the right leg a rest.
4. When not to use cruise control
Cruise control is not recommended in heavy traffic, on winding or hilly roads, or in bad weather conditions such as rain, snow, or icy surfaces.
In these situations, quick reactions and frequent adjustments are required and cruise control can delay the driver’s reaction.
Experts also do not recommend its use on city streets, where frequent stops, turns and traffic signals make it impractical and even unsafe.
Safety organisations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasize that drivers should never rely solely on cruise control and should always stay alert, with both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.
3. PREPARING TO USE CRUISE CONTROL
1. Drive at a safe speed
Before turning on cruise control, it is important to achieve a steady and safe speed.
Most vehicles with cruise control are only able to activate this feature at speeds between 25 and 30 mph, because lower speeds require frequent inputs and quick adjustments from the driver.
Using cruise control works best at highway speeds, usually between 55 and 70 mph.
At this range, the car can easily maintain speed and drivers are less likely to make sudden stops.
Studies by the U.S. Department of Energy show that steady speeds on highways improve fuel efficiency by reducing unnecessary acceleration and braking.
Maintaining a safe and legal speed before turning on cruise control ensures that the system works as expected and that both the driver and other road users are safe.
2. Checking road conditions
Cruise control is only effective and safe when road and weather conditions are suitable.
It should be used on dry roads with good visibility and in light or moderate traffic.
On wet, snowy or icy surfaces, cruise control can cause the car to lose traction because the system maintains speed even when the tires are slipping.
This is why safety experts, including the National Safety Council, warn against using it in bad weather.
Likewise, it should not be used in heavy traffic or on winding roads where the speed has to be adjusted frequently.
The best conditions for cruise control are long, open highways or expressways where traffic is moving smoothly and predictably.
3. Location of cruise control controls
Before setting up cruise control, drivers should become familiar with the location of the buttons or buttons that operate the system.
In most cars, the controls are located on a button or stock behind the steering wheel.
They usually include functions such as on, off, set, cancel, resume and speed adjustment.
Understanding where these are and how they work is important to use cruise control safely without taking your eyes off the road.
Many new vehicles also offer adaptive cruise control with additional options, such as adjusting the following distance, which may have separate buttons.
Spending some time studying the car’s manual or practising while parking the car ensures that when the time comes to use cruise control, the driver will be able to do so confidently and without distraction.
4. Activating Cruise Control
1. Accelerate to the desired speed
The first step in using cruise control is to accelerate your car to the speed you want to maintain.
Most systems allow it to activate only above a certain minimum speed, usually around 25 to 30 mph, because speeds below this limit require constant driver control.
Best results are achieved when driving at a steady speed of 50 to 70 mph on highways or expressways.
At these speeds, cruise control can save fuel, reduce engine wear and help the driver maintain safe and legal speed limits.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, driving steady at highway speeds with cruise control can increase fuel savings by up to 14 percent.
It’s important to reach your desired speed before activating the system because it lays the foundation for safe and efficient use.
2. Pressing the On or Cruise Button
Once the vehicle is at the proper speed, the next step is to activate the system by pressing the button labeled “On” or “Cruise.
” In most vehicles, this button is located on a rod mounted on or behind the steering wheel.
Activating this function prepares the system to control the throttle.
It is important to note that simply pressing the On button does not lock the speed; it simply puts the cruise control system into standby mode.
In this state, the driver maintains full control of the car until the speed is officially set.
Familiarizing yourself with the location of this button before driving helps to avoid distractions on the road.
3. Setting the Speed with the Set Button
After turning on the system, the driver must press the “Set” button to lock the current speed.
This command instructs the car to maintain that exact speed without any further input from the accelerator pedal.
For example, if you press the set button at 60 mph, the car will automatically maintain that speed until you cancel or adjust it.
This feature not only makes long drives more comfortable, but also prevents unintentional driving at high speeds.
Many vehicles offer additional functions after setting the speed, such as adjusting the speed in small steps using the “+” or “–” controls.
It is important to understand how to use the set function correctly, as this is the basis for making cruise control effective.
5. Speed Adjustment
1. Using the Plus and Minus Buttons
Once cruise control is activated and an initial speed is set, most vehicles can easily control that speed via the “+” and “–” buttons.
Pressing the “+” button increases the set speed, while pressing the “–” button decreases it.
This feature allows drivers to adjust speed according to changing speed limits or driving conditions without turning off cruise control completely.
For example, if the highway speed limit changes from 60 mph to 65 mph, simply pressing the “+” button can put the car under speed control without touching the accelerator pedal.
This not only increases comfort, but also reduces the likelihood of going above or below the set limit, helping to maintain both safety and legal compliance.
2. Small taps for precise adjustments
Most modern cruise control systems are designed to respond to short taps of the “+” or “–” buttons by changing speed in one-mile-per-hour increments.
This precise control is specially useful in areas where speed limits are strictly enforced, such as construction zones or cities where speed cameras are common.
Being able to precisely adjust speed without using the gas pedal helps drivers stay steady and avoid unnecessary fluctuations, which can waste fuel and increase vehicle wear.
In some cars, this system can even adjust in half-mile-per-hour increments, increasing the level of precision even more.
3. Press and hold for greater increase or decrease
In addition to smaller taps, holding down the “+” or “–” buttons allows for larger adjustments.
For example, pressing and holding the “+” button can quickly increase speed by five or ten miles per hour, depending on the vehicle’s programming.
This is specially helpful when joining fast-moving traffic or adjusting to a new highway speed limit.
Similarly, holding down the “–” button provides a quick way to slow down without using the brakes, which keeps cruise control active when adapting to slower traffic or entering a low-range zone.
Manufacturers design this system to provide precision and convenience to drivers, helping them cope with real-world driving conditions with minimal effort.
6. Temporarily Disabling Cruise Control
1. Pressing the Brake or Clutch
The most common way to temporarily disable cruise control is to lightly press the brake pedal.
In cars with a manual transmission, pressing the clutch pedal also deactivates the system.
This safety feature is built into all vehicles with cruise control to ensure that the driver can immediately regain full control.
Even a slight pressure on the brake is enough to deactivate the system, causing the car to slow down naturally.
This feature is important when approaching slow traffic, entering a work zone, or driving in an area where immediate speed adjustments are required.
By pressing the brake or clutch, the driver can immediately return to full manual control without completely disengaging the system, making it easier to resume cruise control later when the road is clear.
2. Using the Cancel Button
Many modern cars also have a “cancel” button on the steering wheel or cruise control stock.
This button is designed to pause cruise control without pressing the brake or clutch.
This is particularly useful in situations where the driver expects to slow down but does not want to reduce the previously set speed.
For example, when you approach a section of traffic where the speed is temporarily slowing, pressing the cancel button allows the driver to manually control the car for a while.
When the road reopens, the driver can easily return to the original speed by pressing the resume button.
This system adds an extra level of convenience by providing the driver with more options to deal with changing conditions without having to completely reset the cruise control.
7. Resuming Cruise Control
1. Using the Resume Button
After temporarily disabling cruise control, most vehicles allow the driver to return to the previously set speed by pressing the “RES” or “RESUME” button.
This function saves time and effort because the system remembers the last speed selected before it was interrupted.
For example, if you have set cruise control to 65 mph and have to brake while passing slow traffic, pressing the Resume button when the road is clear will smoothly return the car to 65 mph without having to manually accelerate.
This feature not only improves convenience, but also helps drivers maintain a consistent speed on long trips, reducing fatigue and increasing fuel efficiency.
According to studies by the U.S. Department of Energy, maintaining a steady speed on highways can prevent unnecessary fuel waste caused by repeatedly accelerating and braking.
2. Safety considerations when resuming
Although the resume button is designed for comfort and efficiency, it should only be used when road and traffic conditions are suitable.
Pressing it when there is another vehicle ahead or when road conditions are poor may cause the car to accelerate too quickly, posing a safety risk.
Drivers should always check the road before using the “resume” function to ensure there is enough room to safely return to the previous speed.
Modern vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control make this process even safer by automatically adjusting acceleration and maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
In any case, the driver must remain alert, keep his hands on the steering wheel and be ready to intervene if traffic conditions change suddenly.
8. Turning Off Cruise Control Completely
1. Pressing the Off Button
When finished using cruise control, the safest way is to press the “Off” button.
This completely deactivates the system and prevents it from being accidentally turned on again.
Unlike cancellation or braking, which only pause the function, pressing the off button ensures that the system is not active in the background.
Most vehicles place this control on the steering wheel or cruise control stock, making it easy to use without interruption.
Turning off the system completely also helps new drivers avoid confusion about whether the car is still set to maintain speed or not.
Manufacturers design this feature to give drivers peace of mind, as it makes a clear distinction between normal manual driving and cruise-controlled driving.
2. Turning Off Cruise Control Before Parking or Stopping
It is always important to turn off cruise control completely before stopping the car, parking or exiting the highway.
Leaving the system on, even in standby mode, can cause problems if the car later restarts and the driver accidentally presses the “resume” button.
Safety experts emphasize that turning it off completely eliminates this risk and ensures that the driver maintains full, direct control of the vehicle at all times.
In addition, turning off cruise control before stopping helps prevent sudden or unintentional acceleration at low speeds, such as in parking lots or intersections.
As cruise control is designed for steady highway speeds only, turning it off when slowing down or stopping reinforces safe driving habits and reduces the likelihood of driver error.
Read More:
9. What are The Basic Safety Tips
1. Avoid cruise control in bad weather or heavy traffic
Cruise control should never be used in conditions where traction or visibility is poor.
On wet, snowy, or icy roads, the system continues to apply throttle to maintain speed even when the tires lose grip, which can cause the car to skid or hydroplane.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that maintaining speed in such conditions greatly increases the risk of losing control.
Similarly, in heavy or stop-and-go traffic, frequent adjustments are needed and cruise control can delay reaction times.
This system is only suitable for clear highways and predictable traffic flow, not crowded city streets or during bad weather.
2. Keep your foot near the brake
Even when cruise control is on, drivers should always be ready to intervene immediately.
Keeping your foot near the brake pedal ensures that you can disengage the system quickly in an emergency.
Most cars are designed to deactivate cruise control as soon as the brake pedal is pressed, giving the driver immediate manual control.
However, the extra second it takes to move the foot from the ground or accelerator to the brake can play a key role in avoiding a collision.
Road safety studies have shown that reaction time is one of the most important factors in preventing accidents, which is why driving instructors and safety organizations strongly recommend adopting this habit.
3. Being alert at all times
Cruise control reduces physical effort, but it doesn’t reduce the driver’s responsibility.
Some drivers mistakenly relax too much, assuming the car will take care of everything.
This can slow reaction times and reduce awareness of changing road conditions.
Even minor distractions at highway speeds can have serious consequences, as a car traveling at 65 mph moves about 100 feet every second, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Staying mentally engaged, keeping an eye on the road ahead and keeping both hands on the steering wheel ensures that the benefits of cruise control can be enjoyed without compromising safety.
This system should be seen as an aid, not a substitute for active driving.
Conclusion – How to Use Cruise Control
Yes, it is the smart technology that literally helps drivers to save fuel and avoid accidents as well and that single all alone makes it one of the most practical innovations in everyday vehicles.
As its first introduction in the late 1950s, it has evolved from a simple speed-control system to today’s adaptive cruise control that uses sensors and cameras to automatically adjust speed for safety.
Also, a study which is published in Nature Communications found that the adaptive cruise control which is known as ACC has literally improved the fuel economy by an average of 3.8% all across the various vehicle types including gasoline, diesel and electric vehicles as well. Not only this the system’s ability to maintain the optimal speed and reduce the unnecessary acceleration and braking actually contributes to this efficiency.[¹]
Despite these benefits, it’s important to remember that cruise control is not a substitute for careful driving.
It works best on clear highways with little traffic and good weather and it should always be used responsibly so that the driver is ready to intervene at any time.
By learning how to activate, adjust and safely disable cruise control, drivers can enjoy a smooth ride while ensuring their own safety and that of others on the road.
Ultimately, cruise control is a device designed to assist the driver, not replace him and when used correctly, it can make every highway trip safer, easier and more efficient.
So, you can now ask questions in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is cruise control and how does it work?
Answer: Cruise control is a driving feature that allows the car to maintain a steady speed without the driver having to press the accelerator pedal. Once the system is engaged and the speed is set, the car automatically maintains that speed until the driver cancels it. Traditional cruise control simply keeps the car at a chosen speed, while adaptive cruise control uses sensors to monitor the traffic ahead and adjusts the speed to maintain a safe distance. Both systems reduce the need to constantly keep your foot on the accelerator, making driving more comfortable on long trips.
Q2. When should I use cruise control?
Answer: Cruise control is best used on highways or long, open roads where traffic is light to moderate and conditions are safe. On these roads, it helps drivers maintain a steady speed, save fuel by preventing unnecessary acceleration and reduce fatigue by giving the right leg a rest. For example, when driving on long stretches of interstate highways, cruise control makes it easier to stay within the speed limit and also keeps driving smooth and steady.
Q3. When should I not use cruise control?
Answer: Cruise control should not be used in heavy traffic, winding or hilly roads, or in bad weather such as rain, snow or icy weather. In such conditions, frequent speed changes and quick driver reactions are necessary and cruise control can reduce your reaction time. Safety experts also recommend turning it off when driving in the city, as traffic signals, pedestrians and frequent stops make it unsafe and impractical.
Q4. Does cruise control save fuel?
Answer: Yes, using cruise control on highways can improve fuel efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, maintaining a steady speed with cruise control can increase fuel savings by up to 14 percent. This happens because the car avoids constant acceleration and braking, which burn extra fuel. On long trips, specially at highway speeds, this can lead to significant fuel savings and emissions reductions.
Q5. How do I activate cruise control in my car?
Answer: To activate cruise control, first accelerate to the speed you want, usually above 25 to 30 mph. Then press the “On” or “Cruise” button to put the system into standby mode. Once it’s on, press the “Set” button to lock in your current speed. The car will automatically maintain that speed until you cancel or adjust it. In cars with adaptive cruise control, you can also set a certain distance from the car ahead.
Q6. How do I adjust the speed after cruise control is set?
Answer: Most vehicles let you increase or decrease the speed using the “+” or “–” buttons. Tapping once usually changes the speed by one mile per hour, while holding down the button makes larger adjustments. This is useful for matching the speed limit without turning off cruise control. For example, if the speed limit changes from 60 mph to 65 mph, pressing the “+” button a few times will smoothly adjust your speed.
Q7. How do I turn off cruise control?
Answer: Cruise control can be turned off in several ways. The most common way is to lightly tap the brake or clutch pedal, which immediately disarms the system. Many cars also have a “Cancel” button that pauses it, or an “Off” button that turns it off completely. For safety, it’s always advisable to turn off cruise control completely before parking or stopping the car.
Q8. Is adaptive cruise control safer than traditional cruise control?
Answer: Adaptive cruise control is generally considered safer than traditional cruise control because it uses sensors, radar or cameras to monitor the road and adjust speed automatically. If the car ahead slows down, adaptive cruise control reduces your speed to maintain a safe distance. Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have shown that adaptive systems help reduce rear-end collisions. However, it is not a substitute for driver attention. The driver must always be alert and ready to take over control at any time.
Q9. Can cruise control be used in manual cars?
Answer: Yes, many manual transmission vehicles come with cruise control. However, the driver has to press the clutch when changing gears, which temporarily deactivates the system. After changing gears, the driver can press the resume button to return to the previously set speed. This makes cruise control a little less convenient in manual cars than in automatic cars, but it still provides comfort on long highway drives.
References:
[1] Moawad, A., Zebiak, M., Han, J. et al. Effect of adaptive cruise control on fuel consumption in real-world driving conditions. Nat Commun 15, 10016 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54066-8
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