How Cruise Control Systems Work HowStuffWorks
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Lindsay had some bad driving habits that made riding in the car difficult for Teetor. Whenever Lindsay wanted to say something to him, he’d brake and then accelerate after he was done talking. That wasn’t the only reason Teetor wanted to invent cruise control, as he was also conscious of the speeds of American cars. Teetor thought cruise control could be a great way to slow down drivers and keep the roads safe. The system will automatically turn off when you hit the brakes, which prevents dangerous conditions. This makes driving long distances a breeze since you can turn on cruise control and just steer and brake when needed.
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Notably, cruise control is a great feature in countries with a lot of long roads, like the United States. Cruise control is a great feature on modern cars – especially for long road trips. You can turn it on, set your preferred speed, (under the speed limit, right?) and just cruise. You don’t have to worry about maintaining your speed, and you can enjoy a smooth driving experience.
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To deactivate, the driver can tap the brakes or disengage the system. The benefits of using the cruise control feature are better fuel efficiency and reduced foot fatigue during long drives. The invention of cruise control can be traced back to the late 1940s and early 1950s, when engineer Ralph Teetor developed the first-speed control system. This innovative feature was designed to help drivers maintain a steady speed, reduce fatigue while driving, and improve fuel efficiency. Over the years, cruise control technology has undergone significant advancements, leading to the development of sophisticated systems like adaptive cruise control.
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The throttle valve controls the power and speed of the engine by limiting how much air it takes in (since it’s an internal combustion engine). Cruise control is less flexible on vehicles with a manual transmission because depressing the clutch pedal and shifting gears usually disengages the cruise control. The "resume" feature has to be used each time after selecting the new gear and releasing the clutch.
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When traffic slows down or comes to a stop, the Stop-and-Go Cruise Control system automatically applies the brakes to bring the car to a complete stop. When the traffic ahead starts moving again, the system automatically accelerates the car to follow the flow of traffic. Cruise control is more than just a catchy name — it's a feature that you may just find in your own vehicle. There’s a good chance you might’ve even asked yourself “How does cruise control work?
On the other hand, neither conventional nor adaptive cruise control relieves the driver of the ultimate responsibility of safely driving the car. It’s up to the driver to maintain control over the car’s operation. When used appropriately, conventional and adaptive cruise control are safe. Adaptive cruise control is just a preview of the technology being developed by both companies. These systems are being enhanced to include collision warning capabilities that will warn drivers through visual and/or audio signals that a collision is imminent and that braking or evasive steering is needed.
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However, they will not apply the brakes in the event of overspeeding downhill, nor stop the car from going faster than the selected speed even with the engine just idling. All cruise control systems must have the capability to be turned off explicitly and automatically when the driver depresses the brake pedal and often also the clutch. Cruise control systems frequently include a memory feature to resume the set speed after braking and a coast feature to reduce the set speed without braking. When the cruise control is engaged, the throttle can still accelerate the car, but once the pedal is released, it will slow down the vehicle until it reaches the previously set speed. Regular cruise-control maintains a constant speed but doesn’t take into account the traffic around us.

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The car was fully loaded with 6 people onboard and the boot was also completely full. The 2024 Hyundai Elantra and 2024 Toyota Corolla are old rivals in affordable compact cars. While wheel alignment and balance both contribute to a smoother ride, the services are quite different.
If the vehicle ahead slows down or speeds up, ICC automatically adjusts the speed of the driver’s car to maintain a safe following distance. Unlike regular speed control, ICC can also bring the car to a complete stop and resume driving when the vehicle ahead starts moving again. Standard cruise control (simply called cruise control) holds your vehicle’s speed as constant as possible once set.
This sensor then controls the speed of your car so that it always stays 2-3 seconds behind the car in front. Moreover, on rough or loose terrain, the system may struggle to maintain control. Another drawback is that relying on cruise control can encourage drivers to pay less attention to the road, increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, adaptive cruise control provides a button to establish the minimum distance it will accept before responding to the slowing or stopped car in front of it. Usually, the factory offers three or four choices from which you can pick.
Overall, the future of cruise control technology holds promise for creating a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience, with a focus on safety, comfort, and sustainability. Cruise control offers several benefits to drivers, especially during long road trips or highway driving. Today, drivers can choose from a range of cruise control systems, each with its own unique features and functionalities. On its exterior side, the car has a rear-mounted aerial antenna that receives geolocation information from GPS satellites, and an ultrasonic sensor on one of the rear wheels that monitors the car’s movements. The interior of the car has altimeters, gyroscopes and a tachometer to produce even finer measurements on the car’s position.
Adaptive cruise control is similar to conventional cruise control in that it maintains the vehicle's pre-set speed. However, unlike conventional cruise control, this new system can automatically adjust speed in order to maintain a proper distance between vehicles in the same lane. This is achieved through a radar headway sensor, digital signal processor and longitudinal controller. If the lead vehicle slows down, or if another object is detected, the system sends a signal to the engine or braking system to decelerate. Then, when the road is clear, the system will re-accelerate the vehicle back to the set speed.
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