What do RES+ and SET- mean on a car?

[DiSawyer]

RES+ and SET- are paddle shifters for manual-automatic transmission models. When the gear lever is in the manual position, you can directly use the paddles - the plus sign is for upshifting, and the minus sign is for downshifting. RES: RES has two functions: one is to resume the set speed after temporarily canceling cruise control, and the other is to accelerate to the set speed after setting the cruise control speed. SET: SET also has two functions: one is to decelerate to the set speed after setting the cruise control speed, and the other is to set the current speed as the cruise speed.

[ONatalie]

My car also has the RES+ and SET- buttons, which are used for the cruise control system. RES+ stands for "resume," meaning it restores the previously set speed—for example, if you brake temporarily to slow down, pressing it will return the car to the original preset speed. SET- stands for "set minus," helping you set or reduce the current speed. Pressing it locks the car at the current speed or slightly decreases it. This feature is particularly useful for highway or long-distance driving, as it automatically maintains a stable distance and reduces fatigue from constantly pressing the accelerator. Remember, the operation is simple: first press SET- to lock the speed, then press RES+ to resume after slowing down. However, designs may vary across different car models—my experience is that similar button systems can be found in everything from basic to luxury vehicles.

[LeKai]

The res+ and set- buttons on a car are commonly used cruise control function keys. res+ stands for resume, allowing you to restore the previously saved speed with one press. set- means set minus, used to set the current speed or slightly reduce speed. I often use it while driving, especially when resuming travel after traffic control. Pressing res+ allows for smooth acceleration back to the previous speed, avoiding sudden acceleration that could cause safety hazards. Ensure the road conditions are safe before using it, such as activating it on the highway, which can help you stay more focused and reduce distractions. If you're not familiar with it, you can try pressing it a few times in an open area to feel its response speed. Modern car cruise systems usually respond quite quickly.

[AubreeAnn]

Labels such as res+ and set- found on the steering wheel or control lever are related to the cruise control system. res+ is used to resume the previously set speed, while set- is used to set or decrease the speed. Operation is usually intuitive: pressing set- locks the current speed, and pressing res+ after slowing down due to traffic conditions resumes the set speed. Many family cars are equipped with this feature to help maintain a constant speed, which also benefits fuel efficiency. When using it for the first time, you can check the owner's manual to confirm their locations.