Speed differentials

[akirk]

using cruise control is (I think!) a good exercise in driving - in order to stay at a constant speed on a motorway - assuming it is not too busy - requires you to really plan ahead and maintain a bubble of space around you - it means you have to think / plan / maintain constant speed.

however, don't allow it to be the dominant focus in case you then crash!

Alasdair

[TheInsanity1234]

using cruise control is (I think!) a good exercise in driving - in order to stay at a constant speed on a motorway - assuming it is not too busy - requires you to really plan ahead and maintain a bubble of space around you - it means you have to think / plan / maintain constant speed.

however, don't allow it to be the dominant focus in case you then crash!

Alasdair

I do enjoy using it when it's not too busy, for the reasons you describe. It really exercises your planning and observation skills, but in busier traffic, it's a lot easier and more relaxing to just go with the flow.

[Strangely Brown]

I have never driven a Yeti but I cannot imagine that the Cruise Control is that much different from others.

Did you know that you can adjust your speed to suit the traffic conditions without coming off Cruise? Typically, a single press/click on the +/- buttons will increase or decrease speed in 1mph increments. This makes matching the traffic flow a lot easier.

As general rule, though, I tend to only use cruise when traffic is really light. Once the density increases, I find cruise control takes far more effort than driving normally.

[Horse]

Mine is 3 clicks = 1mph

Ot that I use it that often. . .

[devonutopia]

I am very happy to break a speed limit to achieve a safe(r) manouvere, in any scenario on an out of town road. Although there are degrees of speed limit breaking when perhaps the need to overtake wasn't pressing, but that's for another discussion maybe.

Whilst my car has cruise, I don't often use it. Mainly because the car is actually worse on fuel than with me driving, but also I do get a niggle that I am perhaps less in control of the immediate action to get off the throttle - even though stamping on brake will disengage it right away. Just in my head I suspect.

Saying that I have happily driven 100+ miles on cruise, just using the +/- buttons in good time.

[Mr Cholmondeley-Warner]

Here is the video about truck blind spots I mentioned earlier in the thread.

[TheInsanity1234]

I have never driven a Yeti but I cannot imagine that the Cruise Control is that much different from others.

Did you know that you can adjust your speed to suit the traffic conditions without coming off Cruise? Typically, a single press/click on the +/- buttons will increase or decrease speed in 1mph increments. This makes matching the traffic flow a lot easier.

As general rule, though, I tend to only use cruise when traffic is really light. Once the density increases, I find cruise control takes far more effort than driving normally.

No, I didn't. I shall have to test that soon.

But again, I'd rather use my foot in dense traffic because it means I can do smoother adjustments, and indeed, change gear if necessary, whereas with cruise on, I'd be tempted to ignore the gearbox and just try to do all my accelerating in 5th lol.

[Pyrolol]

I've always felt it was a shame that none of the cruise control equipped cars I've driven were programmed to manage the throttle smoothly. The only solution was to first balance the throttle yourself before disengaging, which seems a bit sad.

(I've never owned a car with cruise control, and always been slightly jealous!)

[Strangely Brown]

... I'd rather use my foot in dense traffic because it means I can do smoother adjustments, and indeed, change gear if necessary, whereas with cruise on, I'd be tempted to ignore the gearbox and just try to do all my accelerating in 5th lol.

If you're in a situation where you need to change gear then I suspect that Cruise might not be appropriate anyway. Similarly, if traffic conditions are really suitable for cruise then changing gear is almost certainly not going to be necessary.

Not sure about your car, but mine will disengage cruise with any movement of the clutch pedal - just a touch is enough, no need to push it out. It's actually a nice way to disengage cruise without having to show brake lights.

[akirk]

Depends on the car - my kuga turned cruise off on a gear change, the octavia doesn't
Alasdair