Cruise Control ( Plea From A New Sr180 Owner)

[Jike]

O.K. so I know you will probably think I'm being stupid, but what the hell I'm man enough to admit my weaknesses. I have never driven a "cruise control" car. Any advice?

[OldSkoO1]

Get up to speed, press the button in and push the lever down to set the speed.

On a flat it works great. Dab the brake to stop the cruise control OR pull the level to you.

You can use as much throttle as you like above the set speed. Coming off the throttle let it coast back down to your set speed and it will carry on "cruising".

It doesn't work that great on hilly areas. It commands a lot of boost and usually ends up using more fuel going up hills etc.

Also not advisable in the ice and not great going around corners for stability reasons.

Basically useful for dual/single carriageways or m-ways.

[boozehound]

but beware

[Jike]

but beware

Sorry? Don't understand :(

[ChrisB666]

I had cruise control on my previous car (2004 VW Passat TDI) and in the 18 months I owned the car I doubt I used it any more than five times.

When I was buying my next car it wasn't a problem when the Auris TR didn't have it.

[Red Yaris 54]

A decent cruise control will maintain a pre-set speed both up and down hill as well as on the flat.

Limitations to maintaining the uphill speeds only ocurr if the engine does not have enough "grunt"

[Cablechap]

Found invaluable when I went up to Edinburgh recently, and again yesterday down to Oxford.

I'd say use on Motorways and dual-carriage ways as well, but only if there is not much traffic around. The problem with cruise control is that by allowing the driver to rest their feet, there is no reference to find the brake pedal in a hurry. When driving normally, your right foot is on the accelerator pedal and you know it is easy to pivot your ankle to the brake pedal. So be careful and leave a decent gap to the car in front, and I recommend resting your right foot directly in front of the brake pedal.

On an unrelated subject, I just test drove the new Mazda 3 MPS and that shifts, but there is so much torque steer, I was fighting to keep it straight, trying to put less power down is the real solution I guess.

[Jike]

Found invaluable when I went up to Edinburgh recently, and again yesterday down to Oxford.

I'd say use on Motorways and dual-carriage ways as well, but only if there is not much traffic around. The problem with cruise control is that by allowing the driver to rest their feet, there is no reference to find the brake pedal in a hurry. When driving normally, your right foot is on the accelerator pedal and you know it is easy to pivot your ankle to the brake pedal. So be careful and leave a decent gap to the car in front, and I recommend resting your right foot directly in front of the brake pedal.

On an unrelated subject, I just test drove the new Mazda 3 MPS and that shifts, but there is so much torque steer, I was fighting to keep it straight, trying to put less power down is the real solution I guess.

Good advice thanks. I have tried it but found I had to think about my feet, if you know what I mean. Still, I like it very much and have been practising on short M/way jouneys. Thanks to all for the advice.

[StPeter]

Try using it in 30s & 40s to stop you drifting above the limit and getting your photo taken.

[acetip]

I had cruise control on my previous car (2004 VW Passat TDI) and in the 18 months I owned the car I doubt I used it any more than five times.

When I was buying my next car it wasn't a problem when the Auris TR didn't have it.

hi chrisb666

i know what you mean,even on dual carriage ways unless there is very little traffic and having to slow down caused by other vehicles and maybe brake it seems a hassle,and i dont feel in complete control.

my two previous cars were mondeos and cruise control was on the steering wheel,a much user friendly set up than on my t-spirit stuck behind the wheel on a stork.

on the auris ive only used it twice,just confirm it worked.

as i do a bit of fishing,and often leave in the early hours i may try extended use of it as there is very little traffic on the A11 at those hours.