Can you fit cruise control to an older car? You can, and in a lot of older cars it is worth doing. Plenty of cars still covering serious distances were built before cruise control was standard equipment, and many of them already have the electronic throttle pedal a modern kit needs.
The short version
- Cruise control can be added to most cars, older ones (AP500, cable throttle) as well as newer ones with an electronic throttle pedal (AP900)
- AP900 kit: 389 €, for cars with an electronic throttle, roughly 2005 onwards
- AP500 kit: 539 €, for older cars with a mechanical cable throttle
- Installation time: 2 to 6 hours, so the car is usually ready the same day
- Works with a manual gearbox too, with a clutch sensor added
Updated: September 2026 | Reading time: 9 min
Contents
Cruise control goes into an older car in one of two ways. In cars with an electronic throttle pedal, usually from around 2005, you use the AP900 kit, which talks to the car’s computer. In older cars with a mechanical throttle cable you use the AP500, where a servo actuator physically takes over the throttle. Both work with a manual gearbox once a clutch sensor is added.
A servo actuator is a small electric drive that pulls the throttle cable for you. A clutch sensor is a small switch at the pedal, needed on a manual so that cruise control disengages the moment you press the clutch.
This guide covers whether your car is suitable, what the installation looks like step by step and what you will pay. It also covers the cases where the whole idea does not make sense.
A bit of history: the idea is not new. Ralph Teetor, a blind engineer, patented cruise control in 1948, and the system reached production in the Chrysler Imperial in 1958. Source: Smithsonian Magazine.
Is your car suitable? Check before you buy a kit
Cars with an electronic throttle pedal (drive by wire): when to choose the AP900
The AP900 is for cars with drive by wire, that is an electronic throttle pedal. The arrangement is simple: there is no physical cable, and the pedal sends an electrical signal to the computer. That computer is the engine control unit, the ECU, the module that manages how the engine runs.
This usually means cars from around 2005 onwards, but do not go by the year alone. Look under the bonnet, because there are exceptions. A late VW Golf IV or an Opel Astra G can already have an electronic throttle pedal, even though both models feel like older technology to most drivers.
A two minute test: open the bonnet, find the throttle body (the part that controls how much air reaches the engine) and look for a cable running from the accelerator pedal. If there is no cable, and there is no mechanical linkage at the pedal either, the car is most likely an AP900 candidate.
To be sure, check the AP900 compatibility list on the product page. In some cars the ECU already provides the signals a cruise control needs, but do not assume it. Send us the year, the engine and the gearbox through the contact form and we will match the right kit for you.
Cars with a mechanical throttle cable: when to choose the AP500
The AP500 suits older cars with a throttle cable and a mechanical throttle body. The throttle cable is the steel linkage between the pedal and the throttle, and the mechanical throttle is the flap that cable opens. Here there is no electronics to tap into, which is why a separate actuator is needed.
There are still a lot of cars like that on the road. In practice the AP500 often goes into models such as the VW Golf III, Opel Astra F, Ford Mondeo I and Fiat Punto I.
You can check this without tools. Open the bonnet and look for a metal cable at the throttle body. If you can see one, and pressing the accelerator moves a lever on the engine, you are normally in AP500 territory.
When a retrofit is not possible
Not every car can take one. The most difficult cases are very old cars, from before roughly 1990, cars with unusual modifications, and models with a non standard throttle control arrangement.
A missing speed signal is another obstacle. The vehicle speed sensor, the VSS, is what tells cruise control how fast you are going. Without that signal the system cannot hold a speed steadily.
Careful. If you have a youngtimer with an engine swap, a carburettor or heavily modified wiring, do not buy a kit blind. Write to us first and we will check compatibility from the make, model, year and a photo of the engine bay.
AP900 vs AP500: which kit for your car?
AP900: electronic cruise control for a drive by wire throttle
The AP900 cruise control is the GTS electronic unit for drive by wire cars. The module talks to the car over CAN bus, the vehicle’s data network, the wiring through which the car’s modules talk to each other. That lets the AP900 work with the ECU and hold a set speed without adding any mechanics under the bonnet.
In practice the installation is fairly quick. The kit usually goes behind the dashboard, plus a button or command module and the connections to the car’s signals, including the VSS speed sensor or the speed signal over CAN bus.
The AP900 makes sense if you want the simpler and cheaper installation. The kit is 389 € and fitting normally takes 2 to 3 hours.
You get concrete functions with it: the AP900 works from around 35 to 200 km/h, lets you store 2 preset speeds and has a built in limiter. It comes with a 2-year warranty and 90 days to return it without giving a reason.
AP900 Universal Cruise Control
Your companion on every journey.
AP500: cable cruise control for a mechanical throttle
The AP500 cruise control is the GTS cable unit for older cars with a mechanical throttle. Here the servo actuator does the work: an electric drive that physically pulls the throttle cable and holds the revs needed to keep a constant speed. It does that without going deep into the engine electronics, which makes it a good answer for older designs.
You should know the downsides. The AP500 costs more and takes more work to fit than the AP900, because there is mechanical work under the bonnet, cable routing and careful setting up of the actuator. Even so, it is often the only sensible option for older cars that never had the chance of an electronic system.
The AP500 kit is 539 € and fitting usually takes around 6 hours. As with the AP900, it comes with a 2-year warranty and 90 days to return it.
If you drive a Fiat Punto I 1.2 or a Golf III 1.9 TDI, this is the direction to check first. On a manual you will still need a clutch sensor, because cruise control has to disengage when you change gear.
How the installation goes, step by step
AP900 installation
- Check the car: confirm it has an electronic throttle pedal (drive by wire)
- Fit the AP900 control module behind the dashboard
- Connect to the CAN bus and the throttle position sensor
- Fit the cruise control button or command module
- Fit the clutch sensor (manual gearbox) or the brake sensor
- Electronic calibration
- Test drive and check that everything works correctly
The last two points matter most. Calibration is where the system’s response is matched to your particular car, and the test drive checks that it holds a speed smoothly and disengages after braking or pressing the clutch. Without that, the installation is not finished.
Pay attention to the speed signal. Cruise control needs data from the VSS or from the CAN bus, otherwise it does not know whether you are doing 60 or 120 km/h. On a manual, whoever fits it should also confirm that the clutch sensor disengages the system immediately rather than after a delay.
AP500 installation
- Initial check (throttle cable, year, model)
- Fit the servo actuator under the bonnet, near the throttle body
- Route the cable from the actuator to the throttle
- Fit the control panel in the cabin
- Fit the clutch sensor (manual) or the brake sensor
- Speed calibration
- Test drive and check
With the AP500, precision counts. The cable and the actuator have to be set so the accelerator responds smoothly, without snatching and without too much tension. That is why this system takes longer.
If you want to judge the quality of the work, ask for a short test drive. Set cruise control to 90 km/h and check how it responds to SET, to the brake and to the clutch. A well set up kit works smoothly and does not hunt for the speed.
What to prepare beforehand
Have the car’s details ready and you will get a useful quote faster. Note the year of manufacture, make, model, engine size, power output and gearbox type. If you can, add a photo of the engine bay around the throttle body. The more information the better.
One working day is usually enough. With a straightforward AP900 installation the car is ready the same day, and after calibration the cruise control works straight away. The AP500 often fits into a single day too, but the garage should confirm that before taking the car in.
Checklist before the car goes in:
Check that the brake lights work
Make sure the clutch pedal returns smoothly
Clear any fault codes the car is reporting
Bring the VIN if the garage asks for it
What does it cost?
The kit itself is 389 € for the AP900 and 539 € for the AP500. Both contain everything needed for the installation, which takes 2 to 6 hours depending on the car and the throttle system.
If you hand the job to a garage, their labour comes on top and depends on local rates. The final figure is shaped by a few things: the model, how easy the wiring is to reach, the gearbox type and whether a clutch sensor is needed on a manual.
You can also fit it yourself. Every kit comes with a manual and we back it with phone support, so you save the labour. Take that route if you are comfortable with car electrics and can handle the final calibration.
Questions about price? Write to us and we will quote for your car.
What you gain: does it pay off?
Fuel savings
On a long route cruise control can bring consumption down. The Polish motoring service Motofakty puts the saving at 5 to 15% on flat ground. The steadier the driving and the less sharp acceleration, the better the chance of a real gain.
Work through a simple scenario. Take 20,000 km a year of long-distance driving at 7 l/100 km, which is 1,400 litres, and a saving of 5 to 10%. That is roughly 70 to 140 litres a year. At a pump price of 1.60 € per litre it comes to about 110 to 225 € a year, so an AP900 kit is in the region of two years of driving.
Safety and comfort
Cruise control helps you hold a steady speed, and that matters. Excessive speed is one of the main causes of fatal crashes, according to the Polish national police report for 2024. Cruise control is no substitute for judgement, but it does stop the unnoticed drift from 120 to 135 km/h.
Newer cars have an advantage here. Since July 2024 new cars in the EU have had to carry an ISA system, an intelligent speed assistant that warns you when you go over the limit. An aftermarket cruise control does not turn your car into a new model, but it does let you catch up with part of today’s standard.
The comfort gain is real too. On a long route your right leg does far less work and the drive is calmer. That does not cancel out driver fatigue, so keep taking breaks and do not treat cruise control as an autopilot.
When it pays off most
You gain most on longer, even stretches. If you regularly cover more than 100 km of motorway, commute 50 km or more a day, or drive a company car, cruise control stops being a gadget very quickly.
A sales rep driving out of town and on to a long route every day will use it far more than someone doing short trips around a city. A courier running a van on national routes will feel the difference more sharply than an owner who only drives locally.
To be fair about it: in dense city traffic, on twisty roads or in country with constant climbs, the benefit is small. If most of your driving is 5 km to the shops and back, the payback is weaker.
Where to have it fitted
Whoever fits it matters as much as the kit. More than 10,000 cars are driving with GTS cruise controls.
The installation is only finished after calibration and a test drive. Connecting the wiring or the cable is not enough on its own. Ask about a warranty on the work as well as on the kit.
If you like doing things yourself, you can fit cruise control in your own garage. We back it with phone support and a manual, but be honest about your own skills. With the AP500 it is easy to lose time on the adjustment if you have never worked with a throttle cable before.
Questions worth asking the garage
Ask a few specific questions before you leave the car:
- Have you fitted an AP900 or an AP500 in a similar model before?
- Do you check the car’s compatibility before starting?
- Are calibration and a test drive included in the price?
- Do you warrant the work, not just the part?
- On a manual, do you fit the clutch sensor and test that it works?
- How long will it really take and when can I collect the car?
Questions? Write to us before you buy and we will check your car’s compatibility with no obligation. You will also find answers to the most common questions on our site.
FAQ
Can you add cruise control to a car?
Yes, in most cases. Cars with an electronic throttle pedal usually take the AP900, and older cars with a cable throttle take the AP500. Check which throttle system you have first.
Can cruise control be fitted to any car?
Not to every car. The hardest cases are very old cars, unusual modifications and a missing or unreadable speed signal. Check compatibility before you buy.
What does it cost to fit cruise control?
The AP900 kit is 389 € and the AP500 kit is 539 €. The AP900 is cheaper and quicker to install, while the AP500 costs more because it needs mechanical work under the bonnet. If you use a garage, add their labour to that.
Can cruise control be fitted to a car with a manual gearbox?
Yes. You need a clutch sensor so the system disengages when you press the pedal. That mainly applies to the AP500: the AP900 does not need one in the large majority of cars.
Can an ordinary car be converted to have cruise control?
Yes, usually. There is no cutting of bodywork and no engine modification. It is a matter of matching the right system to how your throttle is controlled. Start by checking whether the car has a cable or an electronic pedal.
How long does the installation take?
The AP900 normally takes 2 to 3 hours. The AP500 needs around 6 hours, because of the mechanical work and setting up the cable. In most cases the car is ready the same day.
Does a retrofit cruise control have to be registered?
A retrofit cruise control does not change the construction of the car and it does not touch the engine software. Rules on modifications and roadworthiness testing differ from country to country, so check what applies where your car is registered, and check your insurer’s terms, because some ask to be told about added equipment.
About the author
Piotr Tobiasz, GTS sp. z o.o., tempomaty.pl
tempomaty.pl | more than 15 years in business | over 10,000 cruise controls fitted
