Cruise or not cruise?

[Gneiss Guy]

Like a lot of folks here, I use cruise control when it's practical, i.e., when there is not a lot of traffic and when the truck isn't shifting a lot. I usually just sit in the right lane, set the C.C. on 60 mph and enjoy myself. If see a hill coming up, I just touch the brake to drop it out, then hit "resume" when I can. I haven't seen a good reason not to use it under those conditions.

[BAB]

If conditions allow it, I use it. Responsibly. My truck has the "standard" cruise. I have two other cars that have the more sophisticated "radar" set-up where the vehicle maintains the distance you set to follow the vehicle in front of you. I believe this is much safer, though you do have to get used to how the "tractor beam" reacts when the vehicle in front switches lanes. One of my cars has a set-up where if you are using the cruise control you may also remove your hands from the steering wheel for about 20 seconds and the car steers itself. At the 20 second mark, two large orange hands display on the instrument panel, you get an audible "beep", and the stereo shuts down until you grasp the wheel again. Vehicles with autonomous braking, cameras that check to see what's behind you, lane departure warning, etc., are what is ahead of us as NHTSA mandates devices to make driving safer. I'm sure lots of folks will rebel against this, just as those who refuse to wear seatbelt and sit on them instead. Obviously, towing a trailer brings a whole host of differences. I would be really uncomfortable towing without my Voyager wireless -- knowing who's behind my Airstream makes me a much safer driver. I think all the other devices do the same. Though I do have concerns about shrapnel from my airbag!

[m.hony]

I use cruise all the time even though I have heard others say you shouldn't.
I don't understand the reasoning for not.

[JCWDCW]

I personally believe I can out-drive the cruise control for gas mileage except on flat straight-aways. Cruise is always hunting and trying to keep the speed set-point if there is even the slightest grade. I've never driven diesel or any engine with tons of torque so I can't say I'm particularly experienced in this department, but on all of my small V8 gas engines it's OD off and no cruise. Much easier on the Tranny
JCW

[GammaDog]

I use it, but like other posters in their TVs, my Tundra likes to downshift too much and too late. I generally click the cruise control off with the disengage toggle on the steering wheel and use the pedal when approaching any hill or overpass so I can keep RPMs from jumping.

[David F]

I used CC extensively on my 600 mile trek bringing home the new to me 67 Caravel (TV=2008 BMW X5 4.8i) the past couple of days. I learned to put my steptronic automatic in manual mode so I could control the gear selection and take the computer out of the equation.

[Coolbreeze]

I use the cruise on my '14 F150 the same whether or not the AS is attached. If the terrain is other than flat it will be in Tow±Haul mode. This works well and controls the speed easily. For steelper grades when the cruise is over reacting l kick it off.

Right now we are in South Carolina and the roads don't allow for using cruise at all. Beautiful country but Up/ Down and turning Right/Left constantly.

[Troy Tyson]

Originally Posted by badkat

We have been full-timing for a little over 3 years. I just read a thread about a long trip where they use cruise control.

We read somewhere to not do this pulling the AS. How many guys out there use cruise control?

I have a 2015 f150 with a 3.5 Ecoboost. It has the adaptive cruise control on it,I run the cruise all the time even in heavy traffic and in thr mountains.

[doctorlewis]

I use my CC almost all the time when I am on the Interstate system unless I am in mountains. I usually set it at 62 mph and then relax and enjoy the drive. My right knee has been replaced and the CC is wonderful.

[larryglarson]

Sounds like most of us are alike. I use mine on flat open roads in good weather. Sure keeps me from getting as tired.

[PKI]

Now using CC all the time. It is adaptive and provides a guard against not seeing a vehicle in front slow. This is one of the safety features that sold us on the purchase.

Not using it on long down grade runs. CC activates brakes to maintain the speed at the set point by slowing it when speed climbs. That is the same as riding the brakes. Need to manually control decent, with smooth application of the brakes to slow the speed and subsequent release the brakes to allow cooling. Brake before turns to stabilize the rig. Stay 5-10 mph below your target decent speed.

Be able to come to a complete stop if a vehicle stops in your lane or pulls out into your lane may require a complete stop.

Travel safe. Pat

[DuncanK1]

As most of the poster - when conditions are light and boring. Not when active response might be imminent.

I have noticed a slight worsening of fuel economy on CC. It tries to push on to keep a speed on a hill when I might relax a little to gain the crest and speed up on the other side. I use the momentum to build back speed and keep it at higher gear/1600 rpm. Same low revs is more efficient than same speed.

CC is crucial to keeping yourself fresh and untired. Use it when you can.

[dkottum]

Have always used cruise control. With our 6 speed Ram Hemi I would lock it in 4th, 2200 rpm and no hunting for gears on hilly terrain, no loss of fuel economy.

With the 8 speed EcoDiesel it always finds it's own gears with smooth transition between them, no sudden downshifts. Engine compression auto braking feature also controls speed on descending grades. It's the smart, smooth transmission that makes it work so well (and I have been a lifetime manual transmission advocate).

Delivers consistently remarkable fuel economy in cruse control.

[tvketchum]

Cruise these days is different than even 10 years ago. The onboard computer knows more with cruise engaged, so fuel economy is better. Downhills, it does not brake ('13 F150 Ecoboost) but does downshift to hold speed. Steeper downgrades, I have already slowed down, and often, manually downshifted to 3 or 2, to keep from having to overuse the brakes.


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Tom
TVKetchum

[slowmover]

I use CC every day, all day. 2500-3000 miles/wk for work. In only a few conditions is it off.

Same is true on TVs since 1973.

Let the computer handle the drivetrain. Except under those few conditions, it's better than the driver. His job is to steer, and to determine proper distances for stopping.

[m.hony]

I may have 1,000,000 miles towing a trailer with cruise with no ill effects.

[Adiredneck]

I use cruise most of the time - only off for congestion or wet roads. My Ram 3500 CTD has a manual 6 speed, so I don't have to worry about tow/haul or the tranny up and downshifting - it stays where I put it. 65mph is 1600 rpm - right in the CTD's sweet spot. I also use the auto engine brake feature; so running the hilly parts of I-81 in SW Virginia and central Pennsylvania the CC in 6th holds a steady 65 going uphill without breaking a sweat, and the auto engine brake holds the same on the downhill side - I never have to touch the pedals...

[MarfaTX1965]

C.C. Is my best friend when it comes to long flats. When negotiating hills or moutian runs I feel like nothing can beat your right foot. I think It's easier on your T.V. to maintain your speed yourself. It's nice to have around but never think of it as a moment in time where your brain can relax. Stay ever vigilant!!

Safe travels to ya'
WBCCI #6528

[overlander64]

My tow vehicles are older than those indicated by most posters to this thread, but I use my cruise control the vast majority of the time. My usual towing speed with either tow vehicle is between 55 and 60 MPH, and with the Suburban the transmission is in Overdrive. When traveling in the mountains, I disengage the Cruise Control when encountering steep grades. My use of Cruise Control would be different if I weren't extremely comfortable with my tow vehicle and its road manners - - I have had in excess of 190,000 miles with the Suburban and a little over 124,000 miles with the Cadillac.

Kevin

[Bill M.]

Cruise helps me keep my speed down. I have a tendency to go too fast without it. I only use it in moderately hilly and flat terrain and dry weather.