Caravan rear mounted cycle carriers - real world experience

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Jun 20, 2005
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The right foot has significantly more effect on mpg.
In recent years I’ve been making significant use of the cars Cruise Control. Now a very sophisticated system unlike the old ones of 20 years ago. On steep downhills I have noticed the CC talks to the gearbox which drops a few cogs to stop over speeding. Similarly climbing gear adjustment happens.I suspect over the many thousands of towing miles using my CC has been beneficial both in frugality and my right ankle!
I know we have discussed CC before but today the are systems more artificial intelligent. How do you guys find it
 
Nov 6, 2005
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Automatic gearboxes are more intelligent than they used to be, some having a tilt sensor to assess the slope of a hill, others using GPS to pre-empt hills and select the appropriate gear - these improvements make cruise control even more useful.

I don't know if it's true of other makes with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) but the "poverty spec" VW Touaregs with ACC but no self-levelling are having issues when towing as the extra noseweight on the rear axle causes the front radar to point up to the sky and not see vehicles in front, which shuts the ACC down. The higher spec versions with self-levelling air suspension aren't affected.

I don't like ACC, based on a couple of courtesy cars which had it, but basic CC is great so I use it a lot of the time, helps to avoid speeding tickets and makes long hauls much less tiring.
 
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Jan 20, 2023
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I know we have discussed CC before but today the are systems more artificial intelligent. How do you guys find it
My previous car was also a V90 (but a D4 diesel) which had the adaptive cruise control and Pilot-assist self steering function, the adaptive cruise control was great for motorway driving, especially with the caravan as I'm happy to sit at 55mph behind a truck on the motorway. My current V90 (B4 petrol) has just got regular cruise control which is good, but lacking the flexibility of the previous version. I tend to find with this one that rather than contently following the slightly varying speed of what's in front, I now find myself overtaking it as I start to creep up on it. Yes, (before anyone points out.....) I KNOW this is me and not the CC, but with the previous system it just seemed a lot more "relaxing".

To be honest I use mine more in built up areas/restricted speed areas to adhere to limits. Mine also has a speed limit sign warning thing as well that advises you of the limit you're in but it isn't 100% accurate.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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In recent years I’ve been making significant use of the cars Cruise Control. Now a very sophisticated system unlike the old ones of 20 years ago. On steep downhills I have noticed the CC talks to the gearbox which drops a few cogs to stop over speeding. Similarly climbing gear adjustment happens.I suspect over the many thousands of towing miles using my CC has been beneficial both in frugality and my right ankle!
I know we have discussed CC before but today the are systems more artificial intelligent. How do you guys find it
Sometimes the CC will slow down the Jeep, but not always for some reason.
 
Nov 16, 2015
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The best CC I had was in a 3.0. Vectra V6 with the Isuzu engine. Down hill speed control etc. Great with the caravan and a very frugal on fuel , 60 mpg at 2.2k rpm at about 75 mph. Without caravan ,
The CC in my Sante Fe is very good, but not great on down hill speed control.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Most Cruise Control (CC) systems simply modulate the throttle according to the engines response to load. They don't apply brakes or change gears.

If you car changes gears whilst under CC, that is a function of the auto gearbox rather than the CC.

It's only since Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems have been introduced that they will automatically apply the brakes if it detects over set speed, or if the gap between you and the vehicle ahead is reducing below a pre set threshold distance.

Presently most forms of ACC do not automatically pre adjust to suit the terrain ahead, they only react after the change.

However there are some more advanced systems typically only available on top of the range models where there is greater integration of sensors and map detail which can make the car automatically make prepare adjustments to gear, throttle or brakes or suspension of road position before the terrain changes.
 
Jan 20, 2023
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While descending a hill in the dark using CC you can see the brake lights come on with my V90 and also a 2016 BMW 520 I had a while back. The BMW was very accurate at holding the desired speed but the Volvo speed creeps up to about 5mph over your chosen speed before it retards it back.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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My Touareg certainly selects lower gears on decents to maintain the CC setting. So they must be connected ??
I’ m sure Roger will know
 
Jan 20, 2023
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My Touareg certainly selects lower gears on decents to maintain the CC setting. So they must be connected ??
I’ m sure Roger will know

I first noticed the CC applying brakes on a downhill descent on a 2013 Mercedes C Class that was manual and it's something I've noticed ever since on our local (unlit) bypass that has a long downhill section.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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My Touareg certainly selects lower gears on decents to maintain the CC setting. So they must be connected ??
I’ m sure Roger will know
With the integration of components in a modern automatic powertrain I would be very surprised if the gear selection wasn’t included to maintain controlled speed and control of emissions. My Kia 7 speed DCT drops a cog on hills up or down when in CC.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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With the integration of components in a modern automatic powertrain I would be very surprised if the gear selection wasn’t included to maintain controlled speed and control of emissions. My Kia 7 speed DCT drops a cog on hills up or down when in CC.
I’ve copied this statement from VW Touareg Forum.

Most modern automatic transmissions have something called 'grade logic control' which allows them to sync with cruise control and, if the speed is exceeding the pre-set speed, like when you're driving down a hill, then the system will downshift the gearbox to provide more engine braking and attempt to keep the car ...

That‘s what mine does.I think Roger touched on it earlier.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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I’ve copied this statement from VW Touareg Forum.

Most modern automatic transmissions have something called 'grade logic control' which allows them to sync with cruise control and, if the speed is exceeding the pre-set speed, like when you're driving down a hill, then the system will downshift the gearbox to provide more engine braking and attempt to keep the car ...

That‘s what mine does.I think Roger touched on it earlier.
Is it possibel that it would only work when a certain gradient parameter is exceeded. On the Jeep it does not seem to work on a gentle gradient.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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I’ve copied this statement from VW Touareg Forum.

Most modern automatic transmissions have something called 'grade logic control' which allows them to sync with cruise control and, if the speed is exceeding the pre-set speed, like when you're driving down a hill, then the system will downshift the gearbox to provide more engine braking and attempt to keep the car ...

That‘s what mine does.I think Roger touched on it earlier.
I seem to recall years ago some Audi autos would modify their characteristics dependant on the drivers style. The software monitored the driving style and would adjust things like change up and change down speeds.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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I’ve noticed it work on Birdlip Hill near the Old Air balloon, The long descents A30 Bodmin moor and solo in Bath descending from the Claverton Down areas.
I noticed in Bath it changed right down to. 3rd. Dabbing the brakes and resetting CC appears to make it more apparent
 
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May 7, 2012
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Looks good but having to remove battery looks a step too far in my book. Not sure what you have but could you get MTPLM increased?
 
Aug 12, 2023
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Looks good but having to remove battery looks a step too far in my book. Not sure what you have but could you get MTPLM increased?
I fitted Anderson connectors to battery so only takes a second to unplug, Mine has carry handles so not a big deal to removefrom side locker and place in boot. Doubt could get MTPLM increased given its 20yrs old. A lot new caravans allow for this.
 
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