Is Cruise Control Useful for Manual Transmission?
2 Answers
Manual transmission cruise control is useful. When the vehicle reaches the desired speed, pressing the cruise control button allows the car to maintain that speed without the need to press the accelerator. To exit cruise control, simply lightly press the brake pedal. The cruise control system, abbreviated as CCS, is also known as a speed control device or autonomous driving system. Its function is to maintain the vehicle's speed as set by the driver without requiring continuous accelerator input, allowing the car to travel at a constant speed. Using this system on long highway drives reduces driver fatigue by eliminating the need to control the accelerator pedal constantly. It also minimizes unnecessary speed variations, which can help save fuel.
Manual transmission cruise control is especially useful on highways, particularly for someone like me who frequently drives long distances. It automatically maintains the speed, so I don't have to keep pressing the accelerator, significantly reducing fatigue. After driving a few hundred kilometers, my foot doesn't feel as sore, and I can focus better on observing the road conditions. However, with a manual transmission, I still need to shift gears myself. For example, when going uphill, the speed might drop, so I have to downshift manually to maintain it; when going downhill, the speed might increase, requiring me to slow down. In terms of fuel consumption, maintaining a constant speed is more economical than fluctuating throttle inputs, saving a bit of fuel money on each trip. Some car models come with this feature from the factory, or it can be retrofitted at a reasonable cost. It's not very useful in city traffic with frequent stops and starts, as manual operation is still required. Overall, for those who frequently drive on highways, cruise control is a great help.
