Quote: Originally posted by Petemate on 12/10/2009
How many cars' cruise controls cut out when the clutch is depressed? I know they all do when applying the brakes but as per Viggo selecting lower gear could it be a problem? When I worked in a Renault dealer years ago the cruise on the R20 and R30 was a very crude affair utilising a drum with cable wrapped round it. If you slipped the gear lever in neutral without using the clutch the revs went off the clock - don't ask me how I know this.....
Pete
I think cruise has evolved somewhat since your Renault days, Petemate, but you're right to raise the question. Older systems (much older) may not be as sophisticated, but modern motors will have a switch on the clutch pedal to detect any movement. I know on mine (retro-fitted) you just need to touch the clutch pedal slightly to disengage the system. The cruise is cut before the clutch operates.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Not relevant to how good cruise control is; just an example of the idiot few.
On the subject of starting the vehicle, my cruise control is designed to not engage/disengage at less than 20 mph.
On motorways, when towing the caravan, i usually find a wagon travelling at anything between 55 - 60 mph. Then I position myself at a sensible distance behind the wagon, and set my cruise control to match his speed. This way, other drivers either follow or pass by me and the leading wagon. The odd clown pulls into the space, but all that is needed is to fall back to restore the braking distance and reselect the control. I find the cruise control also gives a slightly better return in mpg because the system meters the fuel more accurately that the unavoidably continual adjustment of the foot on the accelerator.
Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 13/10/2009
I think cruise has evolved somewhat since your Renault days, Petemate, but you're right to raise the question. Older systems (much older) may not be as sophisticated, but modern motors will have a switch on the clutch pedal to detect any movement. I know on mine (retro-fitted) you just need to touch the clutch pedal slightly to disengage the system. The cruise is cut before the clutch operates.
Absolutely! When I slipped the gear lever on that Renault 20 I didn't touch the clutch though, just eased the lever into neutral while the drive train was on 'no-load'. On a deserted stretch of road with no traffic - just wanted to see what it would do - my reaction time to cancel the cruise was pretty quick, I can tell you. But even in those days the operation of the clutch would cancel the cruise. The cable layout was a bit agricultural but the electronic side of it was OK.
Pete
Well, if you knock a car out of gear while driving along with your foot on the accellerator you'll get the same result - rev's off the scale! Simple answer ... don't do it!
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
My firm has just issued me with a Golf BlueMotion, and Cruise comes as std, this is my first car with Cruise, but what a dream to drive, OK everyone passes me, but at around 700Miles per tank full of Diesel (60mpg) why should I care!.
Exactly. I once read that, if everyone adhered to the speed limit, the reduction in fuel consumed would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the road.
Which would be good for the environment, good for road safety, and good for our pockets. One of the few chances to have our cake and eat it!
I used to have cruise on an S reg peugeot so it was relatively old. Used it exensively on first outing to france and it was great. Couldn't really fault it especially on descents. It would cut out as soon as I touched anything with my feet.
I eventually got out of the habit of using it though. Prefer to feel "in control"
On the subject of descending a hill whilst in cruise control, the cruise control offers no braking power. In this situation, cruise control will only be active if the vehicle is in a low enough gear for the engine braking power to hold it below the selected speed. Diesels are the best engines for this, because of their very high compression ratios.
Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 14/10/2009
Exactly. I once read that, if everyone adhered to the speed limit, the reduction in fuel consumed would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the road.
I'd be happy if everyone just managed to drive at a constant speed - which is easy with cruise control. Manual driving inevitably means that vehicles are speeding up and slowing down all the time, which has a ripple effect through following vehicles, causes over taking, and that reduces road capacity.
As for "feeling in control" (as mentioned by millermicm, above) - using cruise correctly is a skill that needs to be learned. Once you've learned it, you're actually in more control than without it.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
I think the "feeling out of control" is due to the psycological impression that the vehicle has increased speed as you approach any obstacle which requires you to slow down and/or stop. I agree with the comment that you are actually in better control when using the cruise control. Firstly, except going down hill, you do not have to keep looking at the speedometer. The normal operation of the clutch/accelerator immediately cancels the cruise control without any additional action by the driver. Thirdly, your right foot is probably more sharply primed for hitting the brake pedal, seeing that this is the only thing that it might be neded for when the cruise control is "on". We are only talking fractions of a second, but this can be all the difference between a safe halt and a crunch.
Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 15/10/2009
Thirdly, your right foot is probably more sharply primed for hitting the brake pedal, seeing that this is the only thing that it might be neded for when the cruise control is "on". We are only talking fractions of a second, but this can be all the difference between a safe halt and a crunch.
Bertie.
Very good point that Bertie. I know that many people with autos, for example, usually those who never drive with a manual gearbox, have their right foot for throttle and left (hovering!) for brakes. Judging by the antics when these people are observed driving in towns, you can see who they are from the lurching activities of the cars. Joking aside, their reaction times must be a bit quicker than those of us who use the right foot also for braking but I have never felt comfortable using my left foot for braking with an auto - I just tuck my left leg back out of the way. (with our 'A' Roadster, there is not much room by the brake pedal anyway - so everything footwise is done with the right one) So yes, if when on cruise all the brain has to do is get that foot sharpish on the brake in an emergency, it could make all the difference.
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Topic: cruise control
