This may have been raised before, so please forgive my ignorance, but is it more fuel efficient to tow with cruise control? Anyone ever compared the two?
Cruise Control or Not??
- Thread starter Paul_374314005
- Start date
Good question that I have pondered for years. I have come to the conclusion that if you can trust yourself not to let your speed creep up, and if you don't suffer from the habits some drivers have of yo-yoing with the traffic in front, constantly dabbing the brakes, you can often beat the cruise control for economy - especially on up-and-down routes.
I think this is because I tend to ease off on crests, knowing the car will pick up easily as the gradient reverses - the cruise will always overshoot a bit when increases in throttle are needed, and an attentive driver will anticipate. You can also lift off gradually on the approach to hazards, whereas cruise probably tends to stay on a bit longer, increasing speed of approach and sometimes necessitating braking.
(Don't tell anyone but you can also do a bit of judicious coasting with cruise off as well - not that I'm recommending it of course).
I think this is because I tend to ease off on crests, knowing the car will pick up easily as the gradient reverses - the cruise will always overshoot a bit when increases in throttle are needed, and an attentive driver will anticipate. You can also lift off gradually on the approach to hazards, whereas cruise probably tends to stay on a bit longer, increasing speed of approach and sometimes necessitating braking.
(Don't tell anyone but you can also do a bit of judicious coasting with cruise off as well - not that I'm recommending it of course).
- Mar 14, 2005
- 18,683
- 3,940
- 50,935
Hi Paul,
Cruise or not? in my view it depends on the traffic conditions and the type of road you are on, and the car you have.
As Alan suggests on hilly routes you may be more frugal than the CC, as you can predict the throttle required.
But on the open road such as motorways etc, CC wins hand down. Basically the CC can usually change the throttle far more precisely than us none digital humans, and it has the benefit of regulating speed more accurately giving a more relaxed drive and protecting your driving licence.
It is important to think ahead, and give your self good road space ahead, and doing this I often make long journeys with hardly needing to use the brakes.
The type of car will also have a bearing, I have diesel vehicles with manual gear boxes, and because of the better engine torque CC copes well because less gear changing is necessary. CC also works well with petrol auto boxes, but under some conditions the auto box will hunt between ratios, so you might need to lock the box into the lower ratios.
I use CC when driving solo a lot of the time, even in 30mph zones, it gets me through Gordons' forest of safety cameras in our area.
Cruise or not? in my view it depends on the traffic conditions and the type of road you are on, and the car you have.
As Alan suggests on hilly routes you may be more frugal than the CC, as you can predict the throttle required.
But on the open road such as motorways etc, CC wins hand down. Basically the CC can usually change the throttle far more precisely than us none digital humans, and it has the benefit of regulating speed more accurately giving a more relaxed drive and protecting your driving licence.
It is important to think ahead, and give your self good road space ahead, and doing this I often make long journeys with hardly needing to use the brakes.
The type of car will also have a bearing, I have diesel vehicles with manual gear boxes, and because of the better engine torque CC copes well because less gear changing is necessary. CC also works well with petrol auto boxes, but under some conditions the auto box will hunt between ratios, so you might need to lock the box into the lower ratios.
I use CC when driving solo a lot of the time, even in 30mph zones, it gets me through Gordons' forest of safety cameras in our area.
CC is great for long distances on 4 lane roads - eg in Europe.
Assuming you can nudge the set speed up and down easily, then nudge down a few notches if you come to a long hill and disengage altogether when you are going down the other side.
I'm writing from experience of an autobox with cruise control (tiptronic) - things may not be so easy with cc on a manual box.
Assuming you can nudge the set speed up and down easily, then nudge down a few notches if you come to a long hill and disengage altogether when you are going down the other side.
I'm writing from experience of an autobox with cruise control (tiptronic) - things may not be so easy with cc on a manual box.
It all depends on how one uses it, I use mine mostly on dual carriage ways and motorways solo and when towing. In my opinion it all depends on how one uses the resume button, If cruising at say 60mph towing and one has to slow down to 45/50 because of trucks overtaking then pressing the resume button at that speed is like putting your foot to the floor thus uneconomical better to gradually accelerate up to near original cruising speed then press resume. I think it can be more economical if used correctly.
Reminds me of a story I heard a few years ago, reputedly true, about an RV crash in the Mohave desert.
The brand new RV came off the road and was a total but the driver survived. When questioned by the police he said that he had left the drivers seat to make a cup of coffe but "taht was OK because the salesman said it had cruise control"
Me? I use CC on motorways but am mostly a tea drinker.
The brand new RV came off the road and was a total but the driver survived. When questioned by the police he said that he had left the drivers seat to make a cup of coffe but "taht was OK because the salesman said it had cruise control"
Me? I use CC on motorways but am mostly a tea drinker.
DO I FELL STUPID IF I HAD LOOKED A BIT HARDER I WOULD HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION I HAVE JUST POSTED THANKS FOR THE INFO IN YOU VIEWS MOST HELPFUL
MIKE HALL
MIKE HALL
Facebook
Twitter