What does the vehicle SET mean?
3 Answers
Vehicle SET is the speed setting switch. When the car has a tire leak, this indicator will appear on the dashboard, or by pressing and holding it for three seconds until a prompt sound is heard, the tires will be adjusted as required. If this indicator lights up while driving, it is essential to check the car's tires because it indicates that the tire pressure of all four tires is inconsistent. Adjust the tire pressure promptly to prevent blowouts while driving. Some people mistakenly believe this switch is for cruise control, which is incorrect. The abbreviation for cruise control is CCS, and the functions are different. SET is used to adjust the standard tire pressure of all four tires, while CCS is designed to free the driver's feet, making high-speed driving more relaxed. Additionally, some confuse it with the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which is also incorrect. The English abbreviation for tire pressure monitoring system is TPMS.
A few days ago, I happened to help a friend deal with this issue. There are usually three meanings when the SET light appears on the vehicle dashboard, but the main one is tire pressure monitoring system reset. When you notice the tire pressure warning light stays on after inflating or changing tires, you'll need to use the small SET button on the center console. Find a level ground to park, start the engine without shifting gears, then press and hold the SET button for three seconds until you hear a 'beep' sound and the tire pressure light flashes. Drive at a constant speed for about 20 minutes to let the system automatically learn the new tire pressure. Some smarter vehicles allow you to simply find the 'Tire Pressure Calibration' option in the system menu. Remember to always perform this operation when tires are cold - resetting with hot tires can cause up to 20% error!
In my experience, the SET function is particularly useful in the cruise control system. For example, when driving on the highway, you can increase your speed to the desired level and press the SET button located at the lower right of the steering wheel. The dashboard will immediately display a green cruise control indicator. At this point, releasing the accelerator pedal allows the car to maintain that speed automatically. Making minor speed adjustments is also simple—pushing up increases speed, while pulling down decreases it, with each adjustment changing the speed by 1 km/h. Newer car models feature more advanced SET functions, including the ability to set following distance. For instance, in Volvo cars, after pressing SET, you can adjust the following interval, with three car icons on the screen representing different distance levels, which is especially handy in traffic jams.
