What does cruise control mean in a car?

[DiEzra]

In a car, cruise control is also known as a speed control system, automatic driving system, etc. Its function is to automatically maintain the vehicle speed without the driver needing to press the accelerator pedal after setting the desired speed, allowing the vehicle to travel at a fixed speed. By using the cruise control system, drivers no longer need to control the accelerator pedal during long-distance driving on highways, reducing fatigue and unnecessary speed changes, which can save fuel. The working principle of the cruise control system, simply put, involves the cruise control component comparing the pulse signal from the speed sensor with the set speed and then issuing commands to the servo mechanism to adjust the throttle opening, increasing or decreasing it to keep the vehicle at the set speed.

[BraydenLee]

As a veteran long-haul truck driver, I can attest that cruise control is truly a golden partner on highways. You set a speed, say 100 km/h, and the system automatically manages the throttle, freeing your right foot from constant pressure - you can drive 300-500 km without leg fatigue. It's particularly worry-free when traffic is light on expressways. If sudden acceleration or braking is needed, simply pressing the accelerator or brake pedal will automatically disengage it, maintaining good safety. However, I must remind beginners: never activate this function in congested urban areas as it may cause rear-end collisions. Nowadays, many new vehicles even come with adaptive cruise control that automatically adjusts speed, making it smarter than traditional cruise control systems.

[Judy]

Simply put, it's an electronic speed control system. The principle involves using electronic sensors to monitor vehicle speed and then adjusting throttle opening to maintain a constant speed. It first appeared on Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the 1990s and was considered cutting-edge technology at the time. Modern systems now respond in as fast as 0.1 seconds, far more precise than human foot control. For example, when driving on national highways encountering long downhill slopes, it can automatically downshift to utilize engine braking, saving about 5% fuel compared to manual control. Veteran mechanics at tuning shops often say this system is most vulnerable to voltage instability - fault codes tend to appear when the battery ages.

[VonMargaret]

Money-saving hack! Last month's highway test showed cruise control saves 0.8L fuel per 100km. The secret? ECU manages throttle more linearly than human feet, avoiding unnecessary acceleration. Now standard in most ￥100k-range domestic cars, operated via just 3 buttons: On/Set/Cancel. Pro tip: Disable in heavy rain - once had scary wheelspin when system kept accelerating. Recent discovery: Using over 2 hours may cause drowsiness, better pair with lane-keep assist.

[OArthur]

New mom's perspective on a truly handy feature! On the way to Disney with the kids, when they're crying and fussing in the backseat needing comfort. Just flip the cruise control stalk on the left side of the steering wheel, and gently rest your right hand on the wheel. Your freed-up left hand can hold bottles or tissues while the car maintains perfect speed within limits - no more worrying about speeding tickets. Though last week when my child suddenly vomited, I promptly canceled it by hitting the brakes in the fluster. Advice for moms: practice the cancelation maneuver thoroughly before road trips with kids, and always secure the child safety seat properly.