Cruise Control — do people really use it?

[Anonymous]

PP here, who uses it all the time - just a PSA - remember to NEVER use cruise control in the rain. Even just a drizzle. Hydroplaning with cruise control is very, very dangerous.

[Anonymous]

My previous car and my current car (bought previous car in 2001 I think?) both had/have cruise control. I never used it in either car, not even for 13 hour long driving trips. I feel like I zone out whilst monotonous highway driving, and if I use cruise control it may make me fall asleep and be less aware. I need that added control of driving to keep me from zoning out. Plus, even when driving long highway drives, there's always slow downs, sometimes very abrupt, so I want to be super aware and active at all times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had long commutes many times in my life, and I just had to complete a 10 hour drive in one day.

Not once have I used cruise control, not even to the point of wishing I had it?! I can see value in self driving where I go read, work, or nap (especially if it’s late and I’m tired) but driving esp highway driving is so easy I don’t see why everyone is excited for them. The worst is FSD lite, where you don’t need the driver except in that split second of panic, how in the world is that more restful?

My car has adaptive cruise control, so there is no split second of panic. It can go all the way down to a dead stop if necessary. Of course I pay attention to the road; it’s not meant to be self-driving. But it’s awesome for long road trips.

[Anonymous]

cruise control keeps me from accidentally doing 90 for no reason.

This is why I use it, but I still don’t use it very often. I drive a lot - we spend half the year in DC and half three hours away and go back and forth A LOT. I’m teaching my teen to drive and she hasn’t used it yet.

[Anonymous]

I use it all the time. Used to be just for speed control - otherwise I’d be speeding up or slowing down depending on the song on the playlist without even thinking about it! Annoying for everyone. Now that I have severe arthritis in my right knee, I find holding the pedal for any length of time gets pretty painful. Cruise control helps with that. I still keep my foot at the ready to brake if needed, but keeping it flat on the floor of the car is so much better for my knee.

[Anonymous]

I don't like cruise control. I had a car that would not come out of cruise control mode one time, when I needed to slow down. It scared me. So not a fan.

[Anonymous]

On highways in rural areas, yes. Around here, never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here, who uses it all the time - just a PSA - remember to NEVER use cruise control in the rain. Even just a drizzle. Hydroplaning with cruise control is very, very dangerous.

Agreed, but a lot of people don't know you are supposed to drive 30% slower in the rain and not use cruise control when there is ponding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate cruise control, even when driving long distances. It makes me nervous it won't shut off if I suddenly need to slow down. My husband swears by cruise control, but then he only adjusts at the last minute when the car in front is slower than he is, which is so annoying.

Of course, I don't have one of those newer cars PP is talking about. I don't trust all this tech.

Well tech like that is more accurate than human behavior since it's not subject to distraction, tiredness, etc. I'm not talking about self driving cards, just new features that improve the accuracy of driving.

Hard to really know if auto braking is safer it’s really new. Tesla and Honda already had recalls.

https://www.google.com/search?q=automatic%20braking%20recall&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-m

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never been a big cruise control user, but I think that's because I'm still relatively young, and holding my foot in a particular position is not that taxing. I could see for some people why that wouldn't be the case.

My newer car (like just about all new cars now) has cruise control that maintains a set distance from the car in front of you, and that is a big improvement. I still don't use it very often, though.

The new technology in that is virtually indistinguishable from sorcery. I got it in my Rubicon because it was on the one that was available. Mated with a manual transmission! The damn thing works. Don't need to disengage to shift. Use it on long highway drives all the time. I'm definitely a convert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had long commutes many times in my life, and I just had to complete a 10 hour drive in one day.

Not once have I used cruise control, not even to the point of wishing I had it?! I can see value in self driving where I go read, work, or nap (especially if it’s late and I’m tired) but driving esp highway driving is so easy I don’t see why everyone is excited for them. The worst is FSD lite, where you don’t need the driver except in that split second of panic, how in the world is that more restful?

My car has adaptive cruise control, so there is no split second of panic. It can go all the way down to a dead stop if necessary. Of course I pay attention to the road; it’s not meant to be self-driving. But it’s awesome for long road trips.

+1. Love my adaptive cruise control.

[Anonymous]

I do not use cruise control. I prefer to be in complete control of my vehicle at all times.

[Anonymous]

I use it literally every day.

[Anonymous]

I have never used it. I need to feel alert and engaged. I may try it though. I can be a lead foot on empty highways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had long commutes many times in my life, and I just had to complete a 10 hour drive in one day.

Not once have I used cruise control, not even to the point of wishing I had it?! I can see value in self driving where I go read, work, or nap (especially if it’s late and I’m tired) but driving esp highway driving is so easy I don’t see why everyone is excited for them. The worst is FSD lite, where you don’t need the driver except in that split second of panic, how in the world is that more restful?

You've clearly never driven I5 between SF and LA.

That's funny. I recently drove from Las Vegas to San Fran and hit the I5. I used my cruise control. It helped me save gas and prevented me from getting a speeding ticket. I love cruise control.