How Does the Cruise Control System Work?
2 Answers
The working principle of the cruise control system is: in the vehicle cruise control system, electronic devices can automatically adjust the engine throttle opening according to changes in driving resistance to maintain a constant driving speed. Precautions for using the cruise control system include: 1. For safety reasons, do not use the cruise control system in heavy traffic or during severe weather conditions such as strong winds or heavy rain; 2. When using the cruise control system, pay attention to whether the CRUISE indicator light on the dashboard is flashing; 3. When driving on steep slopes, the cruise control system should be turned off immediately; 4. During downhill driving, avoid accelerating the vehicle; 5. To prevent the cruise control system from malfunctioning, turn off the cruise control switch when the system is not in use.
Using cruise control on highways is particularly effortless, and its working principle is quite interesting. Simply put, it involves real-time monitoring of the vehicle speed via sensors, which then relay the data to the onboard computer for comparison. If you set it at 120km/h and the computer detects the actual speed is 118km/h, it will send a signal to the throttle to open it a bit more. Conversely, if the speed exceeds the set limit, say reaching 123km/h on a downhill, the system will automatically reduce the throttle opening or even apply light braking to slow down. For instance, my old car would emit a faint squeaking sound, which was the actuator adjusting the throttle cable. Nowadays, new cars feature electronic throttles that operate more quietly and can even actively maintain a safe following distance.