What does cruise control mean in a car?
2 Answers
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.
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.
