How to Use Cruise Control with a Manual Transmission?
4 Answers
First, press the cruise control button on the steering wheel (the oval on/off button on the right), and the cruise light on the dashboard will illuminate. Then accelerate to the desired speed. Next, push down the up/down toggle button on the right side of the steering wheel once, and the set light on the dashboard will illuminate, indicating the setup is complete. You can then drive safely under these conditions.
Driving a manual transmission car with cruise control is actually quite simple. I remember being quite nervous the first time I used it, but later found out it can be activated once the speed stabilizes above 60 km/h. First, accelerate to your desired speed, then press the cruise control activation button on the steering wheel, followed by the SET button to lock in the current speed. To accelerate, press the RES button, and to decelerate, press the SET- button. The most important thing to note is that you need to press the clutch when shifting gears, which will automatically deactivate the cruise control. After shifting, press the RES button to resume the previous speed. It's best to manually control the brakes when going downhill, as the system only maintains speed and doesn't handle deceleration. This feature is especially useful for long highway drives, but not suitable for stop-and-go city traffic.
As a veteran manual transmission driver with ten years of experience, I frequently use cruise control on highways. The operation involves three steps: accelerate to the minimum cruise speed (usually 50-60 km/h as per the manual), press the cruise switch to activate the indicator light, and then press the set button—done. To adjust speed, simply use the buttons on the steering wheel without pressing the accelerator. Remember, cruise control automatically deactivates when shifting gears or braking; to resume, just press the resume button. The biggest difference between manual and automatic transmission cruise control is the shifting logic: always select the right gear in advance, otherwise, engine RPM will spike uphill, damaging the engine. Avoid using it on wet roads during rain to prevent delayed reaction in case of skidding.
Last time on the highway, I tried the cruise control function in manual transmission mode—it was a lifesaver for my right foot! The operation is straightforward: reach the desired speed, press the cruise control switch to activate the system, then press SET to lock the current speed. You can adjust the speed using the steering wheel buttons without constantly pressing the accelerator. However, manual transmission has a unique aspect: you must press the clutch when shifting gears, which automatically pauses the cruise control. After shifting, press RES to resume. This feature is most useful on straight, flat roads. For steep or variable terrain, manual control is still necessary. Remember not to use it on sharp curves or in heavy traffic, as the car won’t automatically slow down.
