Cruise control or speed control is a standard feature on many new cars and trucks. When a new vehicle is purchased the salesperson is suppose to show the customer the features and operations of the vehicle, yet most never mention the cruise control features. Find out some of the features of cruise control that many drivers never knew even existed.
Setting a Vehicles Cruise Controls
Most drives know how to set a car or trucks cruise control. For those who don’t know how to set the cruise control, here’s a basic tutorial.
Most vehicles that come from the factory have the cruise controls buttons incorporated into the cars steering wheel. Cruise control that’s added on by an auto shop is usually incorporated in to the turn signal arm. The following instructions pertain to the factory cruise controls.
- Drive the vehicle at the desired speed or miler per hour.
- Press the on button of the cruise control switches, on the upper left side of the steering wheel.
- Press the set (+) button of the cruise control switches on the right side of the steering wheel, usually the middle button. .
- The vehicle should now be set at the desired cruising speed.
Disconnecting the Cruise Control
There are basically two methods of disconnecting the cruise control.
- Pressing the off button on the left side of the steering will completely turn off the cruise control speed setting. If the driver wants to continue on cruise control, the vehicle must be reset using the above method.
- Pressing the vehicles brake petal will disconnect or turn off the cruise control. If the driver wants to continue cruising at the preset speed, all the driver has to do is press the res (resume) button on the right side of the steering wheel.
Increasing or Decreasing Speed Without Resetting the Cruise Control
This is the fun part that a lot of drivers don’t even realize. The average driver, when asked what the coast buttons for, often doesn't know.
To increase the vehicles speed, without using the accelerator (gas pedal), the driver simply has to press the set (+) button. The cruise control must be turned on in order for this function to work. Every time the set (+) button is pressed or clicked the vehicles speed will increase by one mph. If the driver wants to increase the speed by 5 mph for example, the driver can click the set (+) button 5 times.
To decrease the vehicles speed, without using the brake pedal or turning the cruise control off, the driver simply has to press the coast (-) button. The cruise control must be turn on in order for this function to work. Every time the coast (-) button is pressed or clicked the vehicles speed will decrease by one mph. If the driver wants to decrease the speed by 5 mph for example, the driver can click the coast (-) button 5 times.
Using the vehicles cruise control is especially great for long road trips. Operating the gas pedal for a long period of time can be uncomfortable after awhile. Knowing how to properly operate the vehicles cruise controls will only add to the pleasure of a great road trip.
James Clausen - Clausen received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in Automotive Management and Marketing at Northwood University, graduating ...
Join the Conversation