Does Cruise Control Harm the Car?

[SpencerLee]

Cruise control does not harm the car. Here is a detailed introduction to situations where cruise control should not be used: 1. Mountainous or winding roads: Normally, when exiting a curve, it is necessary to appropriately accelerate to provide greater steering force. In cruise control mode, the vehicle automatically maintains a constant speed, with the throttle controlled by the onboard computer, which can often pose a danger when driving on winding roads. Under such conditions, it is advisable to control the speed appropriately. 2. Roads with dense crowds or heavy traffic: Using cruise control on urban roads with dense crowds and heavy traffic makes it difficult to adjust the speed promptly according to actual road conditions, increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Similarly, if there is heavy traffic on highways or sections marked as accident-prone, it is best to avoid using cruise control. 3. Rainy or snowy weather: Due to slippery road surfaces caused by rain or snow, the car's handling is reduced, and road visibility is poor. Drivers should maintain constant control over the speed, so cruise control should not be used.

[DeTravis]

I've been using cruise control for many years and haven't found it harmful to the car. It simply lets the computer take over throttle control to maintain constant speed on smooth highways. Vehicles are designed for this operating condition - engines and transmissions actually work more smoothly at steady RPMs than with frequent manual acceleration. During my six-hour highway trips with cruise control engaged, the fuel consumption display shows 0.5L lower than normal. However, be cautious on continuous steep downhill sections where the system frequently downshifts to control speed, putting slightly more load on the transmission - switching to manual mode is advisable. Overall, as long as it's not overused, cruise control has no negative effects on the vehicle.

[Jude]

From a mechanical perspective, cruise control does not harm the car. What engines fear most is drastic RPM fluctuations, whereas during cruise control, the RPM remains stable within the optimal range, resulting in higher combustion efficiency. Last time I disassembled and cleaned the throttle body, I noticed that cars using cruise control frequently actually had less carbon buildup. However, avoid using cruise control in rain or snow—when tires slip, the computer's response is slower than a human's, potentially misjudging throttle input. Additionally, be cautious with older cars; some models from a decade ago may have solenoid valves that activate frequently during cruise control, which could trigger fault codes over time. For such models, it's advisable to reduce continuous usage. Overall, when used properly, there are no issues at all.

[JoelAnn]

As someone who frequently drives on highways, I believe cruise control is actually better for the car. It makes driving smoother by reducing sudden acceleration, which lessens the impact on the engine's crankshaft and connecting rods. Especially for automatic transmission vehicles, maintaining a constant speed reduces the frequency of gear shifts, and the transmission fluid temperature can be 7-8 degrees lower than when driving manually. One thing to note is that on undulating roads, the computer might suddenly press the accelerator deeply to maintain speed, causing the engine noise to increase, but the load is still within the designed range. It's recommended to use cruise control in ECO mode to balance smoothness and fuel efficiency.