What does it mean when the Nissan Patrol's cruise light is on?
3 Answers
cruise refers to the vehicle's electronic cruise control system, primarily composed of four parts: the command switch, sensors, cruise control system ECU, and throttle actuator. The light being on indicates that the cruise control is activated. More details are as follows: 1. Meaning: The CRUISEMAIN light on the dashboard is the cruise control switch indicator. 2. Function: When the green CRUISEMAIN indicator on the dashboard lights up, it means the cruise control switch has been turned on. Additional information: For safety reasons, do not use the cruise control system in heavy traffic, on slippery roads such as rain, ice, or snow, or during severe weather conditions like strong winds or heavy rain. To prevent accidental activation of the cruise control system, always ensure the cruise control switch is turned off when not in use.
When the 'cruise' light comes on in the Patrol, it actually means the cruise control system is active. When you press the button on the steering wheel to set your speed while driving, this light will stay on to remind you that the system is automatically adjusting the throttle to maintain speed, which is especially convenient and fuel-efficient on highways. Having driven a Patrol for ten years myself, I always feel reassured when I see this light on, as it indicates the function is working properly. However, if the light is on but the system doesn't respond—for example, the car doesn't accelerate or decelerate—it might be due to a dirty speed sensor or an issue with the brake pedal switch. These minor glitches can happen occasionally. In such cases, I usually park the car, turn off the engine for a few minutes, and then restart it. If that doesn't work, I take it to a repair shop to check the fault codes with a diagnostic tool. Remember, don't rely on cruise control in rain or snow—safety first. During regular maintenance, have the technician check the related wiring. Don't wait for problems to arise before taking action; this way, you can drive with greater peace of mind.
When the CRUISE light on the Patrol comes on, it basically means the cruise control is activated. After you set the speed, the light indicates the system is monitoring and automatically adjusting the vehicle speed. If the light is on but the car isn't following the system's commands, it could mean the body control module received an incorrect signal or there's poor circuit contact. We often encounter such issues in auto repair - I'd recommend first checking the brake light switch or wheel speed sensors, and giving them a simple cleaning. If that doesn't work, disconnect the negative battery terminal for ten minutes to force a hard reset - this solves the problem in many cases. Don't ignore the signs of a constantly lit but non-functional light, as prolonged issues may damage related components and affect safety. While cruise control is useful, avoid overusing it - especially in congested urban areas where you should turn it off to prevent system misjudgments that could lead to accidents. Develop the habit of quickly scanning the instrument panel before each drive to spot and address issues early.
