Cruise control is an electronic device that holds your car at a constant speed without you keeping a foot on the accelerator. It has become hugely popular in modern cars because it makes long journeys easier and driving more comfortable.
How cruise control works while you drive
Cruise control is simple to use. In cars with an automatic gearbox the system changes gear on its own, which makes driving noticeably easier. Whatever gearbox you have, you set the speed you want with the command module. It comes into its own on fast roads such as motorways, where you can hold a speed without keeping the accelerator down. The system takes over the throttle and holds that speed whatever the road does. On a climb it automatically adds engine power to keep the speed up, and on a descent it eases off. Cruise control is typically active between 30 and 200 km/h.
Because you no longer have to press the accelerator, you can take your foot off the pedal entirely. That frees you up to watch the road while the speed looks after itself. The key part of the system is the throttle angle controller, which compares the speed you set against the car’s actual speed. Holding a constant speed this way shows up in both fuel consumption and how smoothly the car drives.
A CCS (Cruise Control System) unit holds that set speed regardless of what the road is doing. You keep a steady pace without constantly feeding in throttle, which means more comfort and lower fuel use on longer trips. Switching it on takes a single movement of the command module.
What it actually does for the driver
Cruise control holds a steady speed whether the road is flat or climbing, so your foot can come off the accelerator. On long routes that changes how tired you are when you arrive. The moment you touch the brake pedal the system switches itself off, so you stay in full control of the car in every situation. Because the speed stays level, the car drives more smoothly.
AP900 Universal Cruise Control
Your companion on every journey.
The controller behind it
Underneath, cruise control runs on a PID controller, a well established way of holding an output value at a set level. It has three parts: proportional, integral and derivative. In a cruise control system they work together to hold the speed you asked for. As soon as the car starts drifting away from that value, the system adjusts the throttle and brings it back. The result is smooth, stable progress without you watching the speedometer.
How to switch cruise control off
Operating it is straightforward. To switch off, press the brake or the clutch. Using the accelerator will not disengage it: the car speeds up, and once you lift your foot it settles back to the speed you set. The command module both switches cruise control on and switches it off.
Types of cruise control
There are several kinds on the market and they differ in how much technology sits behind them. The simplest is CCS cruise control (Cruise Control System), which holds the speed the driver sets. A step up is active cruise control (ACC), which adjusts speed to the traffic around you and slows down when it detects a car ahead. More advanced still is adaptive cruise control, which adjusts speed and can also bring the car to a complete stop, which is useful in city traffic. Cruise control is not a speed limiter, though we sell one of those too.
What the AP900 gives you
- Comfort: cruise control earns its keep on long routes, where holding a steady speed yourself gets tiring.
- Fuel savings: at an even speed on flat ground a car uses less fuel than it does with constant acceleration.
- Safety: holding a steady speed without your foot on the accelerator lets you concentrate on the road.
- Convenience: it makes long-distance driving easier and leaves you less tired.
Who it is for
Cruise control is not a gadget. It is a practical tool that improves both comfort and safety. Long journeys are less tiring with it, and a lower risk of accidents and fines is a bonus every driver appreciates. If you are thinking about buying a universal cruise control kit and still have questions, read our other articles below or get in touch by phone or email.
Universal cruise control versus adaptive cruise control
Our universal cruise control is not active or adaptive cruise control. In modern systems such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and active cruise control the technology goes further: it adjusts speed to the conditions and keeps a safe distance from the car in front. A universal kit holds the speed the driver sets, nothing more. Active and adaptive systems do more, but they come factory fitted or cost considerably more, and they need a set of dedicated sensors installed. Our universal cruise control works on its own and does not touch the software in the car’s onboard computer.
AP900 Universal Cruise Control
Your companion on every journey.
Safety
Cruise control can make driving considerably more comfortable, but it pays to use it sensibly. It is not the tool for difficult driving conditions. Cruise control does not replace the driver and does not remove the duty to keep the car safe. Used with judgement, it is what makes a journey both safe and comfortable.
