How to Use Cruise Control for Beginners

To use cruise control, turn the system on, accelerate to your desired speed, press Set, and adjust with +/−; tap the brake or press Cancel to disengage. With adaptive cruise control, also choose a following distance. Use it only on clear, open roads, stay attentive, and keep your hands on the wheel. This guide explains the buttons, step-by-step setup, safety rules, and what to avoid so you can use cruise control confidently and safely.

What Cruise Control Does—and Why It Matters

Cruise control keeps your car at a chosen speed without continuous pedal pressure. It reduces fatigue on long drives and can improve fuel economy by smoothing out speed fluctuations. Many newer cars add adaptive cruise control (ACC), which automatically slows and accelerates to maintain a set gap to the vehicle ahead, and some can handle stop‑and‑go traffic. Despite these aids, you remain responsible for steering, observation, and safe driving at all times.

Traditional vs. Adaptive Systems

Traditional cruise control holds a constant speed but won’t react to slower traffic—if someone cuts in front, you must brake. Adaptive cruise control uses radar and/or cameras to follow traffic by adjusting your speed. ACC can reduce speed for vehicles ahead and, in many models, resume when the lane clears; advanced versions can operate down to a stop and start again in traffic. Lane centering, if equipped, is a separate feature and is not a substitute for attentive driving.

Step-by-Step: Using Traditional Cruise Control

The steps below explain how to activate and manage basic, non-adaptive cruise control in most vehicles. Button labels vary slightly, but the sequence is broadly consistent.

1. Prepare: Ensure road and weather conditions are safe (dry pavement, light traffic, clear visibility). Know the speed limit.
2. Turn the system on: Press the Cruise or On button. A dashboard icon (often a speedometer symbol) typically lights up to show the system is ready.
3. Accelerate to your target speed: Most systems require a minimum speed (often around 25–30 mph or 40–50 km/h). Check your owner’s manual for the exact threshold.
4. Set the speed: Press Set (sometimes labeled Set/–). Your current speed is stored, and the car will maintain it.
5. Adjust as needed: Use +/Res to increase speed or –/Set to reduce it, typically in 1 mph (or 1 km/h) increments; holding the button makes larger changes.
6. Watch the road: Keep both hands on the wheel and stay ready to react. Cruise control does not steer or detect obstacles.
7. Cancel or override: Tap the brake or press Cancel to disengage temporarily; press the accelerator to pass and release to let the system resume the set speed.
8. Resume or turn off: Press Resume to return to the last set speed when safe, or press Off to fully switch the system off when you’re done.

These steps give you precise speed control on open roads. Always remain alert and be ready to brake if traffic or conditions change.

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

Adaptive cruise control adds distance management. It detects vehicles ahead and adjusts your speed to maintain a chosen gap. The following steps cover the common process, but confirm details in your car’s manual as capabilities differ by model.

1. Activate ACC: Press the ACC or Cruise button until the adaptive mode indicator appears (often a car-with-speedometer or a lane icon).
2. Set your speed: Accelerate to a safe speed and press Set. This is the maximum speed your car will target when the lane is clear.
3. Select following distance: Use the distance button (often a car-with-bars icon) to choose near/medium/far. Start with a longer gap for more reaction time.
4. Monitor traffic: ACC will slow if it detects a slower vehicle ahead and speed up again when the lane clears, up to your set speed.
5. Hands on wheel, eyes on road: Some systems require periodic wheel input. ACC does not guarantee collision avoidance—be prepared to brake.
6. Stop-and-go behavior: If your system supports low-speed operation, it may brake to a stop and hold. Some require you to tap Resume or the accelerator to move again after a brief stop.
7. Override and cancel: Press the accelerator to temporarily override; tap the brake or press Cancel to disengage. Press Resume to return to the previous setting when it’s safe.
8. Mind sensor limits: Heavy rain, snow, fog, bright sun, or a blocked radar/camera can reduce performance or disable ACC. Clean sensors as needed.

ACC reduces workload in traffic but is not autonomous driving. Treat it as an assistant, not a driver replacement, and be ready to take full control instantly.

Dashboard Buttons and Symbols, Explained

Most cars use a core set of controls to operate cruise features. Knowing these labels helps you set and adjust speed confidently without looking away from the road for long.

• On/Off or Cruise: Powers the system; On makes it ready, Off disables it.
• Set/–: Stores your current speed; also lowers set speed in small increments.
• Res/+ or Resume: Returns to the last set speed after canceling; also increases set speed.
• Cancel: Temporarily disengages cruise without erasing the last set speed.
• Distance (ACC only): Adjusts the following gap to traffic ahead (near/medium/far).
• Mode (where available): Switches between traditional and adaptive modes or toggles lane features.
• Dashboard icons: Speedometer or “CRUISE” indicates readiness; a car with lines indicates ACC is tracking a lead vehicle.

Button layout differs by brand, but their functions are similar. A quick glance at the owner’s manual clarifies any differences in naming or placement.

Safety Rules: When and Where to Use (and Avoid)

Cruise control is best on predictable, open roads. The situations below highlight when to use it—and when to steer clear for safety.

• Use on: Dry highways and expressways with steady speeds and light, predictable traffic.
• Avoid during: Rain, snow, ice, fog, high winds, or any low-traction conditions.
• Avoid on: Curvy, hilly, or unfamiliar roads, construction zones, and city streets with frequent stops.
• Heavy traffic caveat: ACC can help, but constant merges and cut-ins may require frequent intervention.
• Towing or heavy loads: Many manuals advise caution or reduced set speeds due to longer stopping distances and downhill control needs.
• Fatigue: Never use cruise control to “fight drowsiness.” If you’re tired, stop and rest.

Choosing the right conditions is the single biggest safety factor. If in doubt, control speed manually until conditions improve.

Special Notes for Manual, Hybrid, and EV Drivers

Transmission type and powertrain can change how cruise control behaves, especially during hills or regenerative braking.

• Manual transmissions: Pressing the clutch often cancels cruise. Downshift early on hills to avoid lugging the engine and maintain control.
• Automatics: Use a lower gear or engine braking on long descents; cruise control may not fully hold speed downhill.
• Hybrids/EVs: Regenerative braking can help maintain set speed on descents, but strong regen or one-pedal modes may interact with cruise differently by model.
• Mountain driving: Consider turning cruise off on steep grades and manage speed with gears and brakes to prevent overspeed or brake fade.

Knowing how your specific drivetrain responds under cruise control helps you maintain smoother, safer control on varied terrain.

Quick Troubleshooting

If cruise control won’t engage or behaves unexpectedly, simple checks often resolve the issue before you seek service.

• System won’t set: You may be below the minimum speed, the seatbelt isn’t fastened, or a door/hood is ajar.
• Warning lights on: ABS/ESC or check-engine warnings can disable cruise as a precaution.
• ACC unavailable: Radar/camera may be blocked by dirt, ice, a license-plate frame, or heavy rain/snow; clean sensors and try again.
• Erratic following: Poor lane markings, sharp curves, or cut-ins can confuse ACC—take manual control.
• Downhill overspeed: Use a lower gear or manual braking; cruise isn’t a substitute for engine braking.
• Persistent failure: Consult the owner’s manual for model-specific limits and contact a qualified technician.

Most issues are environmental or related to safety interlocks. Regular maintenance and clean sensors keep systems working as designed.

Common Questions

New users often raise similar concerns. The points below address practical questions you might have on your first few drives.

• Can I rest my feet? Keep your right foot near the brake and stay alert; you must be ready to intervene instantly.
• Does ACC stop for stationary objects? Many systems prioritize moving vehicles and may not reliably brake for stopped objects at highway speeds—do not rely on it.
• Is lane centering the same as cruise control? No. Lane centering assists steering within lane lines but still requires hands on the wheel and full attention.

Understanding these limits helps set the right expectations and prevents overreliance on driver aids.

Summary

To use cruise control, turn it on, reach your desired speed, press Set, fine-tune with +/−, and cancel with the brake or Cancel. With adaptive systems, also choose a following distance and stay prepared to brake. Use cruise control only on dry, open roads; avoid adverse weather, curvy or hilly routes, construction zones, and when fatigued. Keep your hands on the wheel, eyes up, and know your car’s specific buttons and limits for a safer, less fatiguing drive.

How to use cruise control in a car?

And the car’s going to continue to go at 70 mph. Until I do one of a few things. I can hit the cancel. Button. I can press the brake. Or in manual cars I think you can also press the clutch.

Can you take your foot off the gas in cruise control?

Yes, you absolutely can and should take your foot off the gas pedal once cruise control is activated and the speed is set. Cruise control’s primary function is to lock in a set speed, allowing the vehicle to maintain that speed without continuous input from the driver’s foot on the accelerator. You can then use the cruise control buttons to adjust your speed as needed.
 
How it works

1. Set the speed: Once you reach the desired speed, press the “SET” button to lock it in. 
2. Release the gas: After setting the speed, you can remove your foot from the gas pedal. 
3. Maintain speed: The vehicle’s system will then automatically control the accelerator to maintain the set speed. 

Why it’s useful

• Reduced fatigue: Taking your foot off the pedal helps reduce driver fatigue on long trips. 
• Fuel efficiency: Maintaining a steady speed with cruise control can improve fuel economy. 
• Consistent speed: It allows for a consistent driving speed, which can improve traffic flow. 

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.

How to best use cruise control?

Using cruise control is easy! You just have to turn on the cruise control function, and press the set button (of flick it) when you have reached the desired speed. You can then make adjustments to the cruise control speed, cancel it, or resume it using the other buttons!