How does cruise control work in cars and motorcycles?

Cruise control - what is it? 

This is an extremely useful device that allows the car to move at a constant speed, although the driver does not need to keep his foot on the accelerator pedal. Therefore, driving with cruise control is much more comfortable and allows for a smoother driving experience. Its first versions appeared at the very beginning of the XNUMXth century, for example, in cars of the American brand Wilson-Pilcher. However, it was different from those devices that are known today. The modern version of cruise control was invented by Ralph Teetor in the 40s.

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Cruise control in the car - when did it become popular? 

Cruise control was created out of the pure need of American drivers. After all, this is a country of long, often empty roads that seem endless. That is why it gained popularity in the US and has been used there for years. In Europe, it was introduced by the Mercedes-Benz brand in 1962, but did not gain such popularity as it did across the Atlantic. It was not until the early XNUMXs that cruise control began to appear more and more frequently in various car models, although to this day it is not standard on all vehicles. 

How does cruise control work?

The main question of a driver who owns a car with such convenience: "how to turn on the cruise control"? Cruise control in the car can be activated using the buttons on the steering wheel. Usually there are at least three of them: 

• one allows acceleration (eg 5 km/h);
• the second to slow down the car;
• a third to turn it off or return to a previously saved speed;

When the driver presses the accelerator or brake pedal, the cruise control will automatically disengage. Thus, cruise control operation is very simple.

Is cruise control safe? 

Cruise control can be very useful on long journeys and is great for people who, for example, drive on the highway every day. It will also be a godsend for drivers suffering from leg pain. At the same time, it must be remembered that cruise control can, roughly speaking, make you lazy and make the driver less alert while driving. So if, for example, you are driving at night, it may be safer to use the gas pedal. However, this is not due to a design defect of the device itself.

Use cruise control wisely

A driver using cruise control may give the false impression that the vehicle is moving very smoothly and using less fuel. This is not the case. When an experienced driver maintains a constant speed, he can have more control over when and at what pace he accelerates, for example, he can take his foot off the accelerator pedal when descending, which the automatic does not. However, typically driving with or without the device is quite comparable in this regard.

Adaptive cruise control - is it worth investing in?

Active cruise control, also known as adaptive cruise control, is a newer and more advanced version of the device. Its features make it ideal not only on the road, but also when moving around the city. This, however, is due to its slightly higher price, which is why it is still not standard on many car models.

Adaptive Cruise Control - Benefits

Unlike traditional cruise control, it detects the presence of an obstacle in front of the car and independently sets the appropriate speed. The driver can adjust the motorcycle or car to a certain distance from the vehicle in front. This ensures that a safe distance is maintained and the cruise control can be used even on busier roads. The level of driving safety itself does not differ from the classic model.

Cruise control does not replace the driver...

However, as with the traditional model, be careful when using the adaptive cruise control. When driving, do not rely too much on electronics and, above all, take care of your own safety and the safety of other road users. The equipment is only a relief, which should relieve the driver, and not affect his driving skills.

…But it might help him

It should also be noted that this type of cruise control will work better with an automatic transmission. Unfortunately, the device is not able to change them on its own, so in a different situation it can be simply dangerous. So if you want to opt for such a model, you must also remember that you will not have a choice in this matter. Cruise control with speed limiter can change the vehicle speed up to 20 km/h depending on user settings. If the speed to be reduced is exceeded, the vehicle will inform the driver and then return full control of the speed to the driver.

Is it possible to install cruise control in every car?

Cruise control can usually be installed on most newer models without problems, especially if it's already in the car's richer features. However, some older cars may simply not be adapted to it. For this reason, before attempting to install such a device, research the market and seek the advice of your mechanic.

Motorcycle and car cruise control - differences

More expensive and newer models of motorcycles have cruise control, which works very much like a car. They do not differ in principle of operation and are in fact as safe as those used in four-wheeled vehicles. There is another version of the motorcycle cruise control, made in the form of a piece of plastic. This mechanism acts like a throttle lock so the car can maintain a constant speed. This is a very easy solution to use, but at the same time, in extreme cases, it can lead to a dangerous event.

Motorcycle cruise control - advantages and disadvantages

Such an item can be easily made on a 3D printer or simply bought for a relatively small amount. Cruise control can be especially useful on sport bikes, allowing the rider to straighten up during monotonous motorway riding. However, it should be used very carefully and deliberately.

Cruise control is undoubtedly a good friend of every driver on a long journey. At the same time, your safety should always come first on the road. Therefore, if you feel that the device makes you lazy and, for example, causes drowsiness, stop using it.