Today we will talk about what cruise control is in a car.
So, Cruise control is a car feature that allows the driver to not press the gas pedal to move the car. This is the so-called autopilot
for a car. The driver sets a certain speed of the car and presses the “Cruise Control” button, after which the car maintains this speed.
The very concept of cruise control was invented back in the 40s of the 20th century, when speed control units were installed on trucks. The first full-fledged feature of this feature appeared on American muscle cars of the 80s. For the first time in the Soviet Union, the legendary GAZ-21 car was equipped with this function, which controlled the fuel supply.
Components of Cruise control on modern cars:
Now you know what cruise control is in a car. Having examined the main characteristics, it became clear that Cruise control is quite useful feature for traveling on highways, and unsafe in winter and in the urban cycle. Mostly reviews from motorists who use it are positive.
Good day to all! I'm with you again. We continue to speak in interesting topics. Today we will discuss cruise control - what it is, how it works in a car and why such control is needed at all.
In fact, the modern driver is accustomed to luxury and increased comfort. If you don't want a manual car, get an automatic one. There is not enough air flow through open window? Here's air conditioning and climate control.
What if you’re too lazy to press the gas and brake pedals yourself and just want the car to maintain the desired speed? Get universal cruise control. It is about this switch that almost turns into autopilot mode that I suggest we talk to you about.
Cruise control (CC) first appeared in cars in 1958. It was made in the USA and installed on Chrysler's Imperial model. Then the operation of the system was based on reading the speed of the cardan. The solenoid controlled the supply of fuel to the combustion chamber. A little later, other systems were installed on cars, where fuel supply was controlled through the speed of rotation of the car’s wheels, data from the speedometer, or engine speed. This is talking about passive CC.
But adaptive appeared only in 1999. The pioneers were the Germans from the Mercedes company. After another 7 years, we saw the first spacecraft with full connection to the vehicle in front. That is, the system automatically accelerated and stopped, based on the speed of the car driving ahead.
Now we move on to our time, where we are much more comfortable and pleasant. Is it possible now to buy a car where the CC will be installed? Very easy. Even the most expensive cars are equipped with this system.
Simply put, cruise control is a device that controls the speed of movement. vehicle. It automatically adds speed or slows it down, depending on the situation.
A very useful thing for those who travel far and often. Once you turn on the CC, you don’t need to strain your attention. I'll just say one important thing. Cruising is really important if you are driving on a good and long road. That is, somewhere along the highway. In city conditions it is useless.
How important is it for you to just hold the steering wheel and not watch the gas, brake and clutch pedals? If you only drive around town, then these shift buttons will be superfluous. You don't even have to figure out how to use cruise control or where the switches are located.
But practice shows that most car owners at least periodically leave the city and drive along the highway. This is where a steering column switch or a button on the center console comes in handy to activate the CC and enjoy a more comfortable ride. Such systems are installed on cars with manual and automatic transmissions.
Activation occurs by pressing the appropriate buttons. We'll talk more about how to turn it on, off, and how to use this system.
In the meantime, I’ll tell you about the most important thing - the types of cruise. Vehicles can be equipped with one of two systems:
There is a difference between them, so we will consider each type of cruise control separately.
Such a system consists of:
As for the principle of operation, it looks like this.
Further brief instructions about how to put the system in the right position. In QC, the mechanical and electronic units are closely connected to each other. By pressing a button in the cabin, a whole chain of events is activated, which is not always necessary to delve into.
Regardless of what the system firmware is, where the sensor is located and what the control lever looks like, the principle for all passive cruises is approximately the same.
Yes, the price of cars with cruise control is somewhat more expensive. Sometimes KK comes already in the basic configuration, if it is a car in an expensive segment. And in more affordable classes, cruise can be obtained as an option. Whether you need it or not, decide for yourself. Personally, I actively take advantage of these delights of the modern automotive industry, and my friend, despite the presence of a CC in the car, prefers to control everything on his own.
Well, okay, his right. As is yours. I’d rather tell you how passive cruise is controlled.
Control buttons are usually located on the lever or on the steering wheel itself. Although there are models where the controls are on the front panel.
Let's go through the buttons.
Once you turn on cruise, you can simply take your foot off the pedals and drive quietly. Convenient and practical.
If you decide to install adaptive CC on your car, then you have taken a more modern path. Although many people complain about frequent errors with adaptive cruise, in practice this mainly applies to cars with the first examples of this system.
Let's find out how ACC works, how to connect it to work and watch the video for clarity.
ACC is an advanced version of a regular cruise. Its peculiarity is that the system automatically maintains a distance between cars and moves at a given speed.
The ACC is equipped with a laser or radar to monitor vehicles ahead. They are placed behind the radiator grille. The signals are transmitted to the controller, which already slows down or accelerates the car.
ACCs are more effective in terms of security. When the obstacle is passed, the system returns to normal operation, that is, it restores the set speed.
They can be roughly divided into radar and laser.
The latest developments in adaptive cruise provide signals to the driver. And some models even independently decide instead of the driver to brake urgently if necessary.
Cruise control system(another name is “autodrive” or “autospeed”) - a complex of hardware and software, designed to constantly maintain speed by a car on a certain section of the road. Although some car owners have difficulty operating it, setting up this device is actually not difficult.
It can be turned on and configured using buttons on the steering wheel or steering column switches (depending on the model and brand of the car). As for malfunctions and checks, diagnostics are carried out using the electronic control unit (ECU) of the car. The mechanical parts of the complex are also checked. Below we will provide you with complete information about the purpose, benefits, settings, diagnostics of the Cruise Control System, as well as other useful information.
The name cruise control (abbreviated as KK) comes from the English expression Cruise Control, which means constant control over driving speed. That is, the device is designed to maintain a constant speed when the car is moving on the road. As a rule, it is used on long trips. After all, experienced drivers know how difficult it is to keep your foot on the accelerator pedal for a long time. The Cruise Control System is installed on cars with and without a gearbox.
However, in addition to its main purpose, the functions of the system also include. After all, while driving, a person involuntarily either accelerates the car or slows it down, constantly focusing on the speedometer. Because of this, fuel consumption is uneven. According to statistics, Fuel consumption on the highway with cruise control on is reduced by 4-7%(according to some sources, even 12%). Constant speed also has a beneficial effect on component wear and use. Supplies. According to experts, the costs decrease by approximately 1.5%.
Also, modern Cruise Control Systems perform a number of additional tasks. In particular, they scan the space in front of the car while driving and warn the driver of possible danger. The lower operating limit of the systems may vary, but is usually in the range from 30 to 50 km/h. The upper limit may also vary. As a rule, this is 200...220 km/h.
The operating principle of cruise control is simple. In its simplest case it consists of a servo drive (drive with negative feedback to be able to control a mechanical system), which is connected by means of a cable or rod to the mechanism responsible for supplying gas to the carburetor or injector (for gasoline engines). That is, when the car moves at a constant speed, the accelerator pedal is at one fixed angle. Accordingly, the angle of the accelerator pedal will also be constant. If at this moment the driver turns on Cruise Control, the ECU remembers its position. At the same time, the speed is also recorded.
Electronic cruise control operating diagram
If, while driving, the speed begins to fall, for example, on an ascent (the corresponding sensors report this to the ECU), the electronic unit sends a command to the servo drive so that it changes the angle of the throttle sector and increases the fuel supply. The tilt angle directly depends on the error signal. This will happen until the speed of movement begins to increase.
If the speed along the way increases (on a descent), then the electronic unit sends a signal to the servo drive to change the throttle angle to reduce the fuel supply. This can happen right up to the moment when a mechanical stop occurs at idle. This will naturally cause engine braking. However, there are two possible options, which depend on the type of cruise control installed.
If Cruise Control is installed on a manual transmission, the sector may hit the limit stop. In this case, the driver will be advised to change gear. If we're talking about about automatic transmission, this process will happen automatically. As soon as the speed reaches the set level, the servo will stop moving and the throttle sector will remain in a fixed position.
If cruise control is installed on a car with a manual transmission, the driver will need to slow down independently if necessary. If the car has an automatic transmission, it is possible to switch to a lower gear to reduce speed. However, if the car has adaptive Cruise Control, then the entire braking process occurs automatically in full. Now let's talk in more detail about the types of systems used.
Drivers currently have the option of purchasing the Cruise Control System separately. You can install it yourself. It is important not to forget to register its functionality in the ECU.
There are two main types of cruise control - passive (PCC) and adaptive (ACC). The first type is the classic system, used on cars with manual and automatic transmissions for over 40 years. It is activated via buttons or levers on the steering wheel and simply maintains a constant speed.
Passive Cruise Control is deactivated when the driver presses the brake pedal. However, these settings can be changed. You will find detailed information in the manual.
However, much more interesting adaptive cruise control. What it is? This is a complex that not only maintains a constant speed, but also regulates it depending on the obstacles that arise on the road (vehicle ahead, obstacles, and so on). To do this, it constantly measures the distance to the vehicle ahead (usually at a distance of up to 200 meters).
According to the principle of operation, adaptive cruise controls are divided into two types - laser And radar. As the name implies, the former use a laser beam for their work, the latter use radio waves. Laser systems are much cheaper, but have significant drawbacks, which is why they are not widely used. In particular. the laser does not work well in cloudy and foggy weather, and it is also difficult to distinguish between dirty cars. Radar systems, in turn, do not have these disadvantages, which is why they are installed on expensive cars (business and luxury class).
ACC indicator
The ACC radar sensor is installed behind the radiator grille and constantly sends signals, recording the distance to the nearest car in front. If it slows down or a third object appears between your car and another car, the sensor sends a signal to the Cruise Control System to reduce speed. IN in this case not only the engine is used, but also car brake system. If the road is cleared again, speed will be restored. On Toyota and Lexus, a similar sensor is used by the pre-crash safety system. You can read about this in another material.
The distance at which the system operates is 200 meters, and the speed range is 40...210 km/h (these values may vary slightly for different cars). The device can completely stop a car in a traffic jam and start moving within the first three seconds when the road ahead is clear.
Available Brake Assist alerts the driver to danger even when adaptive cruise control is turned off.
ACC work
In addition, ACC has a number of additional functions. For example, it can be used to change the speed of a car. This is done step by step increasing or decreasing the speed by 1...2 km/h (depending on the car model). In this case, the complex does not care how loaded the car is or how steep the slope you are climbing. Also, adaptive control, in the event of danger or the likelihood of an emergency, notifies the driver using visual or audio signals (sometimes both).
Adaptive Cruise Control always works in tandem with two vehicle safety systems - ABS (anti-lock braking) and ESP (electronic stability control), if equipped. If at least one of them does not work, ACC will not turn on.
Remember that cruise control is not intended for driving in difficult conditions (including in the city). It only needs to be turned on on country roads where there are few cars, or all of them are driving at approximately the same speed. This also applies to adaptive cruise control.
Before we get into how to use this system, we need to figure out where the cruise control is located. As a rule, on most cars equipped with a traffic control function, the control buttons are located on the multifunction steering wheel. In more rare cases, it is controlled using the steering wheel switches. You can see examples of the location in the photographs shown here.
Cruise Control Location Options
Many owners of used (and not only) cars are concerned about the question - how to turn on cruise control? There is nothing complicated about this, but you need to understand that some nuances may differ on different car models. In general, the algorithm of actions will be as follows:
QC icon on dashboard
Some machines have more flexible capabilities. You can find reliable information on how to turn on cruise control and use it on the road in your car’s manual.
Example of labels on the buttons: On - turning on the system, Off - turning off the system, Set Accel - setting a mode/increasing the speed, Resume - restoring the previously stored speed, Coast - reducing the speed.
How to use cruise control
Cruise control control on Toyota Corolla
How disable cruise control, depends on its type. For some, it is enough to press the brake pedal while driving. This will be a signal to shut down and the machine will go into normal mode under full manual control. In other cases (especially ACC), you can also disable Cruise Control by pressing the gas pedal. Thirdly, to turn it off, you need to use the button or lever intended for this. You will find detailed information about this in the manual.
In conditions of poor visibility, heavy rain, snow, wet roads, icy roads and other inconveniences, using cruise control is strictly not recommended!
Cruise control is switched off automatically if the vehicle acceleration value exceeds 1.5 m/s² (or a sharp increase in speed of 5.4 km/h). It also turns off if, on a car with an automatic transmission, the lever is moved to the neutral position (indicated by the letter N).
| Brand | Models with installed CC (both by default and as an addition) |
|---|---|
| Kia | Rio, Sid, Sportage, Sorento, Optima, Cerato, Soul |
| Ford | Focus, Kuga, Mondeo, Transit, Fiesta, Kuga, Galaxy, Escape, S MAX, Ecosport |
| Hyundai | Creta, Solaris, Elantra, IX35, Gretta, Tussan, Santa Fe, Starex, Sonata |
| Toyota | Corolla, Camry, RAV 4, Avensis, Auris, Prado, Verso, Fielder |
| Renault | Megan, Duster, Scenic, Logan, Fluence, Sandero, Laguna, Kaptur, Stepway, Kangu |
| Lada | Vesta, Granta, X Ray, Kalina |
| Opel | Astra, Zafira, Vectra, Omega, Antara, Corsa, Vivaro, Mocha |
| Nissan | Qashqai, X Trail, Example, Almera, Tiida, Terrano, Teana, Note, Beetle, Murano, Pathfinder, Serena |
| Peugeot | 307, 308, 408, Boxer, 406, 3008, Partner, 407, 207 |
| Mazda | 3, 5, 6, SH 5, SH 7, 626, MPV |
| Skoda | Octavia, A7, A5, Fabia, Octavia Tour, Rapid, Superb, Yetty |
What to do if Cruise control won't turn on? Or does it turn on, but the car does not maintain the set speed in normal mode? For verification, there are verification methods, which are discussed below.
The first step is to carry out computer diagnostics systems. To do this, you need a laptop with a diagnostic cable and the appropriate software. In most cases this is the simplest and effective method checks. The computer will show you error codes if there are any. You will find their decoding in additional literature.
Regarding mechanical diagnostics of cruise control, it is recommended to check:
KK control cables
According to statistics, the most frequent problems problems associated with cruise control are mechanical damage to the wire insulation, as well as vacuum leaks.
In some machines, self-diagnosis of the system is possible. For example, cruise control of Nissan Primera, Mazda Tribute, SsangYong Korando, Honda CR-V and others provides this opportunity. As an example, we give an algorithm of actions for checking on a Honda crossover:
Before moving on to the description of the codes, you need to figure out how to read them. Information is provided by the flashing indicator of the cruise control system on. There is a long pause between codes when it does not flash. If the indicator reports a two-digit code, then there is a short pause between its digits, and the number of short blinks corresponds to the transmitted digit.
For example, code 15 would be displayed as follows: long flash, short pause, five short flashes. Next, let's move on to a description of the typical errors that self-diagnosis of the cruise control of a Honda CR-V car can tell you about:
In any case, the most detailed information You will find information about diagnosing and adjusting the cruise of your car in the manual. Cruise Control Systems on different machines differ, so it is impossible to give universal recommendations for operation and testing.
QC system on sale
Cruise control is a convenient system that makes driving on the highway much easier. If your car does not come standard with CC, we recommend buy and install it additionally, especially if you often drive on country roads. When the car was not equipped with cruise, then after additional installation it will definitely require software activation, and on VAG cars there is a diagnostician, but on others there is a different software.
After installation, do not lose the instructions. If possible, keep it in your car's glove compartment so that if a problem occurs, you can read the information you need to fix it. The system should be used carefully, and only on country roads. Also, do not use Cruise Control in poor visibility conditions, on wet or icy roads, or at night.
Not all cars have a cruise control system. This is mainly the prerogative of modern models filled with loose electronic systems, most often with an automatic transmission. A similar function is also found in cars with mechanics, but this design is not very common. Today’s article will tell you about the purpose, principles of operation and basic rules safe use cruise control.
When making long intercity trips, the driver may experience some leg fatigue. The right leg suffers especially badly, as it exerts constant pressure on the accelerator pedal. To eliminate the need to use the pedal, the car owner can activate the cruise control, which will maintain the speed set by him. This function has a certain similarity with an aircraft autopilot system. When cruise control is activated, the driver can apply the brakes. After performing this action, the machine itself will return to the set speed level.
The system can be activated using the gas and brake pedals, but such solutions are used extremely rarely. Basically, the on/off function is given to special buttons located in the area of the steering wheel. There are several of them:
The main device that maintains a constant speed value is the servo drive. It is he who adjusts the throttle assembly. The throttle valve controls the air supply inside the combustion chambers of the vehicle's power unit. The higher its quantity, the larger number the mixture will be released by the fuel injection system, with a corresponding increase in engine power and an increase in speed. Having examined appearance of this valve, you can notice a pair of drive cables: one is connected to the gas pedal, which the driver presses during the trip, the second is connected to the cruise control actuator, which is controlled electronically.
In some models, adjustment is carried out using a vacuum formed inside the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. Changes in pressure affect the location of the membrane, depending on the value of the specified speed level. The membrane, in turn, selects different positions of the throttle valve.
Before activating the function, the control unit always checks the current driving speed. If it goes beyond the limits of 40-135 km/h, cruise control will not activate.
In modern cars, especially well-known expensive brands, you can increasingly find adaptive cruise control. In the vehicle specification it is designated "ACC". It has a number of useful differences from conventional classical systems. To set the driving mode, the driver needs to not only fix the speed of the trip, but also set the distance to the nearest car moving in front. This value is determined by special sensors mounted in the front of the car. Control device makes a constant request for data and if it reaches the minimum specified by the driver, the system either sends sound signal, or independently slows down to increase the distance. In addition, many adaptive cruise controls are equipped with the ability to maintain a given lane and can also read lane markings. This system is very convenient, but, unfortunately, quite expensive.
To summarize the article, let's say that automatic cruise control systems are an undoubted convenience, designed to make life much easier for the driver. It is important to understand that help will be useful only if you follow a certain set of operating rules listed in the text. And further. Even if you own a car with adaptive cruise control, try not to relax too much. No matter how “smart” electronics are, it is much safer if they work under the constant supervision of a person.
Many novice car enthusiasts ask the question: “What is cruise control in a car?” You could say this is an integral feature of a modern car. Without it, long trips would become a complete stress for the driver, and those with a “chronic uncontrollable need for speed” would spend all their money on speeding fines.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, only Germany could boast of the best roads in the world. Other countries had no choice but to take German road construction rules as a basis. In the United States, the development of the road network has acquired the status of a state doctrine. By the 60s they had caught up with Germany in terms of road quality. The emphasis was placed not only on the branched structure with cafeterias, gas stations and motels, but also on the greatest length of roads. Multi-lane highways, which do not have single-level intersections with railways and other roads, covered vast territories. Drivers traveled several thousand kilometers a week on highways, traveling the length and breadth of the country. It is not surprising that cruise control appeared in the USA. In our country, this device is not given paramount importance. Although experiments with cruise control were carried out back in the USSR. The first model equipped with this device was the Volga (GAZ-21).
Most reference books classify this device as a special device that allows you to maintain the specified speed of the machine constantly. At the same time, it can be either increased or decreased, with or without driver participation. The thing is that when driving long distances it is very difficult to constantly keep your foot on the gas pedal. Cruise control makes this task easier. How exactly he does this, you will find out below.
They are located on Typically, there are only four of them:
ON - switching on;
OFF - shutdown;
SET - setting the movement speed;
RESUME - return to the speed set last time.
Now you know how to turn on cruise control. Let's talk about the benefits promised by this device. They all come down to three advantages: savings, comfort and safety.
By maintaining a uniform speed, savings can range from 5 to 15% of fuel. For example, when driving without cruise control on a road section 200-210 km long at a speed in the range of 85-130 km/h, the approximate consumption per 100 km will be 11 liters. With cruise control turned on and a stable speed of 110 km/h, you can save 2 liters and achieve 9. As a bonus, you can note the reduced load on the transmission and engine. Consequently, their service life will increase.
This advantage reveals to us how cruise control works. While driving, the driver does not need to press on to maintain a constant speed. Cruise control will do this for him. Using the above, the driver can set a fixed speed and not press the gas pedal. In this case, fuel will be supplied independently and in the dosage necessary to maintain the current speed. If exceeded required speed, for example, on descents, the car will automatically slow down, and when driving on an ascent it can accelerate. This occurs due to the control of ABS operation, fuel supply, and engine speed. Today this is a fairly technological process, which is regulated by mechanical actuators and electronics.
So what is cruise control in a car? This is, first of all, comfort. After all, the driver does not need to monitor maintaining a certain speed, which means he can relax, which is especially important during hours of tiring driving. And it’s not just the leg that is resting. Thanks to cruise control, it is possible not to exceed the speed due to inattention, which is also a comfort. Due to the fear of speeding, the driver is forced to constantly “monitor” the speedometer data. This makes your eyes tired and your brain tired. If the road situation changes, it is always possible to turn off the “cruise” by pressing the brake or gas pedal (depending on the situation). You can return to this option by simply pressing a button. When the ignition is turned off, the previously set speed is canceled.
Even those drivers who don’t know what cruise control is in a car put it above all else. This device will help provide it. Thousands of highway features contain specific traffic information. The driver notices signs, signs and markings much better, fully concentrating on the road. Of course, maintenance mode fixed speed acceptable for urban conditions, but on the other hand, not very suitable for them. But such a useful function as speed limit is suitable for any roads. It allows you to set a certain limit (for example, 70 km/h), upon reaching which the car will forcefully brake. That is, the speed will vary in the range from 0 to 70 km/h, and no more.
This option is very relevant in cities where there is a speed limit (60 km/h). Traffic police officers take full advantage of this, because high speeds in modern cars are achieved quietly and quickly, and straight, wide sections awaken the desire to accelerate. This is where the speed limit mode is needed. If you want to slow down, please, but you won’t be able to accelerate above the established limit.
We hope you understand all the benefits of cruise control. So think about purchasing it. Moreover, installation of cruise control is quite simple and can be done at any car service center.
