"Cruise Main" is the indicator light on your dashboard that tells you the vehicle's conventional cruise control system is powered on and ready to be set to a specific speed. It does not mean the car is currently maintaining a speed automatically. Think of it as the "standby" mode for your cruise control. When you press the main cruise control button on your steering wheel, this light illuminates, signaling that you can now set your desired cruising speed, typically by pressing another button labeled "SET" or "SET/COAST."
Once you set the speed, the "Cruise Main" light usually remains on, and a second indicator (often the set speed number itself) appears to confirm the system is actively maintaining your velocity. To deactivate the system entirely—not just pause it—you typically need to press the "OFF" button or the main cruise button again, which will turn the "Cruise Main" light off.
It's important to distinguish this from more advanced systems. Standard Cruise Control (indicated by "Cruise Main") maintains a set speed regardless of traffic ahead. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a more advanced feature, uses radar or cameras to automatically adjust your speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car in front. ACC often has a separate indicator, such as a car icon with speed lines.
| Feature | Standard Cruise Control ("Cruise Main") | Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) |
|---|
| Primary Function | Maintains a driver-set speed. | Maintains a set speed AND a set distance from the vehicle ahead. |
| Reaction to Traffic | None; car will continue at set speed. | Automatically slows down and speeds up with traffic. |
| Typical Indicator | "CRUISE MAIN" or "CRUISE" light. | A car icon with speed lines, often with a distance setting. |
| Best Use Case | Open highways with light traffic. | Highway commuting in variable traffic conditions. |
If the "Cruise Main" light is flashing, it often indicates a malfunction in the system, and you should have it diagnosed by a professional.
