How to Use Cruise Control Correctly

Use cruise control on clear, dry, lightly trafficked highways: accelerate to your desired speed (above the system’s minimum, typically 20–30 mph/30–50 km/h), press Set, keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, and be ready to brake or Cancel at any time. Adjust speed and (for adaptive systems) following distance as conditions change, and avoid cruise control in bad weather, heavy traffic, sharp curves, or steep grades. This article explains how conventional and adaptive cruise control work, when to use them, when not to, common controls, troubleshooting tips, and legal considerations in 2025.

What Cruise Control Does and When to Use It

Conventional cruise control maintains a target speed by controlling engine power. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) goes further, using radar/cameras to keep a set following distance and, in many vehicles, to handle stop-and-go traffic down to a complete stop. Some cars bundle ACC with lane centering or “traffic jam assist,” but these are driver-assistance features, not self-driving; you must stay engaged and ready to steer and brake at all times.

Use cruise control to reduce fatigue and smooth your speed on long, straight highway drives with predictable traffic and good visibility. It is most effective where speed limits are stable and lane changes are infrequent.

Step-by-Step: Conventional Cruise Control

The following steps explain how to safely engage and manage a traditional (non-adaptive) cruise control system found in most vehicles.

1. Prepare: Ensure road and weather conditions are suitable (dry, clear, steady traffic). Fasten your seatbelt and confirm no warning lights are active.
2. Reach your target speed: Accelerate manually to the desired speed above the system’s minimum activation threshold.
3. Activate and Set: Press the Cruise On button (if separate), then press Set (often labeled Set/–). The instrument cluster should show a cruise icon and set speed.
4. Fine-tune: Use +/Res to increase speed in small increments and –/Set to decrease. Many systems adjust by 1 mph (1–2 km/h) per press or by 5 mph (5–10 km/h) when held.
5. Monitor traffic: Continuously scan ahead. Be ready to brake, which immediately cancels cruise control.
6. Overtake safely: If you need more speed to pass, press the accelerator to temporarily override. Release to return to the set speed.
7. Cancel/Brake: Tap Cancel or press the brake to disengage. The set speed is usually retained in memory.
8. Resume: When appropriate, press Resume (Res/+) to return to the stored set speed.

These steps keep conventional cruise predictable: you set the speed, the car holds it, and you always retain immediate override with the brake or accelerator.

Step-by-Step: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Adaptive Cruise Control adds automatic distance-keeping. Follow these steps to use it correctly and safely.

1. Turn on ACC: Press the Cruise or ACC On button. Confirm that the ACC icon appears on your display (often with a car-and-speedometer or radar symbol).
2. Set speed: Accelerate to the desired speed and press Set. ACC will maintain this speed when the lane ahead is clear.
3. Choose following distance: Use the distance button to set near/medium/far (often 3–4 levels). Select a longer gap in rain, low visibility, or at higher speeds.
4. Hands on wheel, eyes up: ACC is not autonomous. Keep full attention on traffic and road edges, especially in curves and near merges.
5. Watch for cut-ins: If a vehicle merges ahead, ACC will reduce speed; be ready to brake sooner if the cut-in is abrupt.
6. Curves and crests: Sensors can “see” less around bends or over hills. Be prepared to intervene if ACC doesn’t slow soon enough.
7. Stop-and-go behavior: Many systems slow to a stop and can restart. Some require you to tap Resume or the accelerator if stopped longer than a few seconds.
8. Disengage/Resume: Use Cancel or the brake to disengage; press Resume to return to your previous speed and distance setting when safe.

ACC can reduce workload, but it still requires continuous supervision and timely driver intervention when situations change quickly.

Where and When Not to Use Cruise Control

Cruise control can be unsafe or ineffective in several conditions. The following list highlights common scenarios where manual control is safer.

• Rain, snow, ice, or standing water (hydroplaning risk).
• Steep or winding roads where speed changes are frequent.
• Heavy, stop-and-go traffic if your car lacks full stop-and-go ACC.
• Work zones, school zones, and areas with frequent speed limit changes.
• Loose surfaces (gravel, sand), poor visibility (fog, smoke, glare).
• When drowsy or distracted—cruise can mask fatigue; take a break instead.
• While towing or carrying heavy loads unless the manual explicitly approves it, and even then with extra caution.

Discretion is key: if conditions are variable or traction is questionable, keep full manual control for the quickest response.

Safety Best Practices

These habits help you get the benefits of cruise control without compromising safety.

• Keep your right foot poised to brake and your hands on the wheel at all times.
• Match your set speed to the posted limit and conditions; reduce speed in rain, darkness, or heavy traffic.
• Use longer following distances at higher speeds and in poor weather.
• Scan far ahead for brake lights, merges, curves, debris, and changing limits.
• Know how to cancel quickly; test your Cancel button in a safe moment so it’s second nature.
• Avoid “set-and-forget”: periodically verify your speed and distance settings after restarts or mode changes.
• Take regular breaks; don’t let cruise control lull you into inattention.

Safe cruise control use is an active process—automation assists you, but you remain responsible for speed, spacing, and situational awareness.

Common Controls and Symbols

Manufacturers use similar buttons and icons. Here’s what you’re likely to see and how to recognize it.

• On/Off: Powers the cruise system; may be a separate button or integrated into a steering-wheel cluster.
• Set/– and Res/+: Sets speed and adjusts in small increments; Resume recalls the last set speed.
• Cancel: Disengages without erasing the stored set speed.
• Distance (ACC only): Chooses following gap, often shown as bars or chevrons on the display.
• Mode: Switches between conventional cruise, ACC, and sometimes speed limiter.
• Speed Limiter (LIM): Caps your maximum speed but does not maintain it; different from cruise control.
• Cluster icons: A speedometer symbol for cruise; a car-with-waves for ACC; gray icon means armed, green means actively controlling.

Consult your owner’s manual for button locations and exact icons—labels vary, but functions are consistent across most brands.

Troubleshooting: When Cruise Control Won’t Engage

If cruise won’t set or keeps dropping out, check these common causes before assuming a major fault.

• Vehicle speed too low (below system minimum).
• Brake pedal lightly pressed, or brake light switch faulty.
• Clutch depressed (manual), transmission in neutral, or door/hood ajar.
• ABS/ESC/traction control actively intervening due to wheel slip.
• Warning lights present (engine, brakes); some cars disable cruise with faults.
• Blown fuse or steering-wheel control issue.
• ACC only: Radar/camera blocked by dirt, snow, ice, stickers, or a license plate frame.
• ACC only: Camera misaligned after windshield replacement; requires calibration.
• Drive mode restrictions (e.g., some Snow/Off-road modes limit cruise) or trailer mode active.
• Seatbelt not fastened in some vehicles.

Clear sensors, address warnings, verify doors/hood are fully closed, and try again. If problems persist, have the brake switch, wheel-speed sensors, and camera/radar calibration checked by a qualified technician.

ACC Sensor Care

Keep the radar panel and forward camera area clean; avoid mounting badges, wraps, or accessories over sensors. After windshield replacement or a front-end repair, request ADAS calibration. Extreme heat, heavy rain, or low sun can temporarily degrade sensor performance—expect earlier disengagement in those conditions.

Hills, EVs, and Hybrids: What to Expect

On climbs, cruise may downshift to maintain speed; on descents, it may use engine braking or, in EVs/hybrids, regenerative braking. Strong grades can still let speed creep—be ready to brake and reduce your set speed. In EVs, cruise will target speed while optimizing regen, but range and comfort can vary by mode (Eco/Normal/Sport). When towing, use Tow/Haul if equipped and consider manual control on steep grades for better thermal and brake management.

Legal and Ethical Notes in 2025

ACC and lane-centering are Level 2 driver assistance; you are legally responsible for driving at all times. Many jurisdictions require keeping hands on the wheel and maintaining a safe following distance regardless of automation. In the EU, Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) has been mandated on new models since 2022 and newly registered vehicles since 2024; it may warn or gently limit speed but can typically be overridden—cruise control must still obey posted limits and conditions. Always follow local laws, signage, and road markings; this article is informational, not legal advice.

Quick Reference Checklist

Use this checklist before and during cruise control to stay safe and effective on the road.

1. Confirm good conditions (dry, clear, steady traffic).
2. Reach desired speed; press On, then Set.
3. Select a prudent following distance (ACC).
4. Hands on wheel, eyes far ahead; feet ready to brake.
5. Adjust speed and distance as conditions change.
6. Cancel or brake immediately if unsure; resume when safe.

Running this checklist mentally keeps you engaged and makes cruise control a helpful, not hazardous, tool on long drives.

Summary

Cruise control is best on clear, predictable highways: set an appropriate speed, stay alert, and be ready to intervene instantly. Adaptive systems add convenience by managing following distance, but they do not replace attentive driving. Avoid cruise in poor traction, complex traffic, and curvy or hilly segments where frequent speed changes are needed. Know your controls, maintain sensors, and follow local laws to use cruise control correctly and safely.

What speed should you use cruise control at?

Cruise control systems typically require a minimum operating speed, usually around 25 mph, for the system to activate and function correctly. This is a safety feature designed to prevent its use in scenarios where low speeds or stop-and-go conditions are more appropriate for human control. However, this can vary by vehicle, with some systems allowing activation at different minimum speeds, while specialized “Traffic Jam Assist” features can function at much lower speeds in heavy traffic.
 
Why the Speed Restriction?

• Safety: Most cruise control systems are not designed for low-speed driving, where speeds less than 25 mph often involve driveways, intersections, and other hazards that require more immediate driver attention. 
• Driving Context: Low-speed driving usually involves frequent stops and changes in speed, making constant speed control impractical and less beneficial. 

What to Do If You Need Low-Speed Control

• Check Your Vehicle’s Manual: Opens in new tabSome modern vehicles, particularly SUVs and trucks, may have specific low-speed or off-road cruise control functions. 
• Use Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Opens in new tabACC systems are designed to maintain distance from the vehicle ahead and can adjust for slower traffic, though they may still disengage in heavy stop-and-go conditions. 
• Look for Traffic Jam Assist: Opens in new tabFor advanced systems, “Traffic Jam Assist” can manage vehicle speed in slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic, often including lane-centering technology. 

How to use cruise control effectively?

To use cruise control, first press the ON button on your steering wheel or stalk to activate the system, which will illuminate a dashboard light. Then, drive to your desired speed, and press the SET button. Your car will maintain that speed, allowing you to take your foot off the gas. To disengage cruise control, press the brake pedal, the CANCEL button, or the ON/OFF button. 
Steps to Use Cruise Control

1. Turn On the System: Locate the cruise control buttons, usually on your steering wheel, and press the ON or ON/OFF button. A light will appear on your dashboard to indicate the system is active. 
2. Reach Your Desired Speed: Accelerate to the speed you want the car to maintain. 
3. Set the Speed: Press the SET button. The car will now maintain this speed. 
4. Take Your Foot Off the Accelerator: You can now remove your foot from the gas pedal. 

Adjusting Your Speed 

• Increase Speed: Opens in new tabPress and hold the RES (+) button or tap it to increase your speed in small increments (e.g., 1 mph).
• Decrease Speed: Opens in new tabPress and hold the SET (-) button or tap it to decrease your speed in small increments.

Disengaging Cruise Control

• Press the Brake: The simplest way to turn off cruise control is to tap the brake pedal. 
• Press the CANCEL Button: Most systems have a dedicated CANCEL button. 
• Turn the System Off: Pressing the ON/OFF button will turn the entire system off. 

Important Reminders

• Check Your Manual: Button placement and operation can vary between vehicles, so always check your car’s owner’s manual for specific instructions. 
• Use on Highways: Cruise control is best for highways and open roads with consistent speeds. 
• Stay Alert: Even with cruise control, you should always keep your hands on the wheel and your foot near the pedals in case you need to react quickly to traffic or road conditions. 
• Adaptive Cruise Control: If you have adaptive cruise control, the system can also automatically slow down to maintain a set distance from the car in front of you. 

Is it better to drive with cruise control on or off?

Conclusion: Using cruise control can be beneficial for fuel efficiency and reducing fatigue on long, straight drives, particularly on highways. However, it should be avoided in heavy traffic, adverse weather, or complex driving scenarios where constant speed adjustments are necessary.

What not to do with cruise control?

The constant speed can increase the chance that your tires will hydroplane and you could lose control of your vehicle. Only use your cruise control when the roadways are dry and clean, and never during rainy or icy conditions.