WARNING!

Using cruise control can be dangerous in situations where you need to slow down frequently for safety reasons. The vehicle may move too fast in changing traffic conditions. This is fraught with loss of control over the car and a traffic accident. Do not engage cruise control under the following conditions:

Reading the specifications of various cars, you can see that some configurations are equipped with a cruise control system. What is this system, what does it control and why is it needed at all?

First of all, it must be said that many people still cannot figure out how cruise control works, and therefore either do not use it at all, or try to use it, but they do not succeed.

Cruise control, in simple terms, is a device that allows you to maintain a constant set speed of the car. First of all, it is best to use it during long journeys along suburban highways, because there is no need to constantly press the gas pedal, so the leg will not get tired.

Why has cruise control become popular?

For the first time, such a development was applied back in the 50s of the last century, but it was used extremely rarely due to technical problems and shortcomings. Real understanding of the benefits of using cruise control came in the 70s, when the financial crisis hit and gas prices skyrocketed.

With the cruise control system, fuel consumption is significantly reduced when traveling on long routes, as the engine is maintained at optimum operation.

Drivers had only to follow the road. American drivers really liked the invention, because in the USA distances are measured in thousands of kilometers, and the car is the favorite means of transportation for the majority of the population.

Cruise control device

The cruise control system consists of several main parts:

• control module - a mini-computer that is installed in the engine compartment;
• throttle actuator - it can be a pneumatic or electric actuator connected to the throttle;
• switch - displayed on the steering wheel or on the instrument panel;
• various sensors - speed, throttle, wheel speed, etc.

If the car leaves the assembly line with this option, then the cruise control is integrated into the overall vehicle control system. Ready-made systems are also sold that can be installed on a car with any type of engine or gearbox.

The essence of his work is that the throttle control is transferred from the gas pedal to the cruise control servo. The driver selects the driving mode, enters the desired speed, the system orients itself and, depending on the conditions, selects the most optimal engine operating modes in order to maintain the desired speed level.

The systems are different, but cruise control is controlled in the same way:

• On / Off - turn on turn off;
• Set / Acceleration - set the speed - that is, you can transfer throttle control to cruise control and the speed that was at the time of switching on will be maintained, or enter another higher speed indicator;
• Resume - restore the last settings that were at the time of shutdown (shutdown is done by pressing the brake pedal);
• Coast - speed reduction.

That is, the algorithm of operation is approximately the following: On - Set (activation and setting the speed) - pressing the brake (shutdown) - Resume (recovery) - Coast (decrease if you need to switch to a lower speed mode.

Typically, cruise control is activated at speeds above 60 km / h, although the system itself can operate at 30-40 km / h.

At the moment, the most advanced system is adaptive. It practically approaches the analog of an auto-pilot in aviation, with the difference that the driver still needs to turn the steering wheel.

Adaptive cruise control differs from conventional cruise control by the presence of a radar that analyzes the distance to the vehicles in front and maintains the desired distance. If the front cars start to slow down or accelerate, then the impulses are transmitted to the control module, and from there to the throttle actuator. That is, the driver does not need to independently press on the gas or vice versa to reduce speed.

More advanced systems are also being developed, the capabilities of which will be significantly expanded.

How to use cruise control, using the example of a SKODA Octavia car

Cruise video from KIA

Good afternoon, dear readers! Most recently, I published an article about how I suffered, but today is not about that. Technology and progress do not stand still, and every year cars roll off the assembly lines, more and more "stuffed" with complex electronics and functions. Even 10 years ago, we did not know many of the terms that are widely used today. We will gradually eliminate these gaps and acquaint you with modern options. Now I would like to reveal the concept of what cruise control is, and how it can make life easier for the driver.

In general, this is the name of the speed stabilization system, which allows the vehicle to move at the same, given pace. You can even draw an analogy with the autopilot. By understanding how cruise control works, we are convinced of its benefits. If there is a long descent, the system itself will slow down, and when moving uphill, it will add gas to keep approximately the same mark. However, this does not mean that the driver cannot interfere with the driving process. It is enough to press the brake or gas pedal, and you are in control of the fuel supply again.

The management of such a system does not require super skills and qualifications. We turn on the device, after which the indicator light lights up. As soon as the car has accelerated to the required speed, it is memorized, after which the accelerator pedal can be released. The normal operating range for the system is between 40 and 140 km/h. It is convenient to use a cruise in suburban driving conditions, while its use in the city is unsafe due to the frequent change of scenery. But as you understand, 140 is a clear speeding and violation of traffic rules. By the way, I recommend refreshing the rules in your memory, and start with articles written in an accessible language: nuances and.

Where is it convenient to use

When driving on the highway, such a system can become a reliable assistant, since it is tiring to keep your foot on the gas pedal for a long time. And so the driver sets an acceptable driving mode, which will be maintained by the system at the same level. Less than 40 km/h cruise control is not able to support. At the same time, any touch on the pedals will return the car to a manual mode of control, that is, driver intervention will be required.

Such a system is especially common in the United States, and most cars that are produced there are equipped with it. The fact is that they have a significant distance between cities, while highways are mostly straight. In such conditions, using cruise control is very convenient compared to the intermittent traffic of city traffic jams. There is also a more advanced system called adaptive cruise control. It not only maintains the set speed mode, but also estimates the distance to the vehicle in front and adjusts the mode so that it is safe. Unlike the usual passive cruise, this one came to be called active.

Main buttons and system operation

Cruise control is activated by pressing the Set/Accel button. The increase step is 2 km/h (although there are systems where 1 or 5 km/h), that is, for each press, the speed increases by this amount. Other keys are also provided: On (enable), Off (shutdown), Resume (restore the previously set mode), Coast (decrease). The last switch will reduce the speed of the system, and in order to return the previous value, you need to activate Resume, which will automatically mean how to turn the system back on. This happens in situations where the driver forcibly pressed the brake pedal.

Active cruise is good because it additionally protects the driver and his passengers in the cabin from the approaching danger. If the system failed to slow down in time, an audible signal will sound to inform the driver of the need to avoid a collision or a sharply reduced distance from the vehicle in front.

Consider the basic principles of operation of this complex system. A vacuum is created in the collector of a working power unit, which is used by the servo. The embedded program controls the ventilation or vacuum valves of this actuator. The signal from its membrane goes to throttle control and the fuel supply is corrected. Due to this, the constant speed of the vehicle is maintained.

The same applies to wet roads, which have a slippery surface. It is undesirable to turn on the system in conditions of poor visibility, at night and when fog falls.

Why cruise control is needed, we discussed above. However, even the most advanced systems can make mistakes by incorrectly calculating the distance to an obstacle, so the driver should be careful himself. But the included cruise selects such a mode of movement, fuel consumption in which will be moderate. If it is necessary to overtake, the driver needs to increase speed by pressing the accelerator pedal. As soon as the maneuver is completed, the pedal must be released and the controller will automatically return to the previous set mode.

However, many drivers who are lucky enough to buy a foreign-made car do not use or are not aware of the presence of such a system in it. Or the instructions for use have not been studied in sufficient detail. Thus, the functionality of the car is not fully used. Several unsuccessful attempts to turn on the cruise - and the driver stops counting on his help in the future, which is completely in vain. We hope that after reading this material, such motorists will still become smaller. Therefore, read us in the following reviews and get up-to-date and useful information. See you soon!

Cruise control is a special device in a car that allows you to maintain a constant speed while driving by adding speed during natural deceleration (uphill) or reducing the gas supply when descending. The system is needed on long trips, when intense attention is required from the driver. For the cruise control to work effectively, so that the driver can feel it, large sections of the road with good coverage are needed. Naturally, the cruise control system is most in demand in countries such as the United States, where there are good long roads.

How sad it is to realize, it turns out that good roads can be even where there are no large settlements

Many drivers who have bought a used foreign car (even a very expensive and luxurious one) sometimes do not know about the full functionality of their car. This can be explained by the fact that to drive a car it is enough to study its main characteristics, or by the fact that the documents (passport or description) for the car are not complete or even lost.

Most often, the keyboard device built into the steering wheel of a car is completely or partially ignored after unsuccessful attempts to turn it on.

Many owners of foreign cars still cannot understand why the CRUISE button on the steering wheel is needed

Today's cruise control systems are divided into passive and adaptive.

Passive systems

The passive cruise control system includes the following elements:

• system control keys;
• automatic control controller;
• servo;
• solenoid valves for servo control;
• throttle actuator.

How cruise control works

The servo uses the vacuum generated in the collector of a running engine. The controller, depending on the difference between the signals about the real and the set speed, controls the vacuum and ventilation valves of the servo drive according to the programmed program. The signal from the servo membrane goes to throttle control, adjusting the fuel supply. In this way, a constant (set) speed of the machine is maintained when the load on the engine changes (ascent, descent).

On such a road, where the descent is constantly replaced by an ascent, it is better to drive with the cruise control on, otherwise you will constantly have to press and release the gas pedal

The controller is programmed in such a way that the cruise control system cannot be forced on if the vehicle speed is less than 40 km/h. On the other hand, the controller automatically turns off when the driver presses the brake pedal.

Cruise control

As a rule, the control keys are located on the multifunction lever or in the center of the steering wheel, in some models on the front panel, usually signed CRUISE.

cruise control

1. OFF key - off.
2. ON key - turn on the cruise control controller. When this key is pressed, the system itself is activated, but to set the desired speed value, you need to dial the required speed by pressing the accelerator, for example 60 km / h, and press and release the SET button. From this point on, the vehicle will maintain the set speed under the control of the controller, the CRUISE ENGAGED indicator will light up.
3. To accelerate the vehicle with the cruise control activated (the ON button was pressed), the RES + (RESUME/ACCELERATE (R/A)) button (switch) must be pressed. A short press (half a second) will result in a minimum speed increase of 1.6 km/h. If you press (hold the switch) RES + during acceleration to the desired speed, the controller will remember exactly the value that was reached at the moment the button (switch) was released.
4. A short press of the SET button with the cruise control activated (the ON button was pressed) will reduce the speed by 1.6 km / h, and a long press of the button will make it possible to reduce the speed to the desired one.
5. When overtaking, you need to press the gas pedal (increase the speed of the car), after completing the maneuver, you need to release the gas pedal. The controller will reduce the speed to the value before overtaking, and the vehicle speed will again be constant.
6. You can disable cruise control either by pressing the brake pedal, then the system will not remember the set speed, or by pressing the OFF button, the next time the system is activated without turning off the car, the system will pick up and maintain the previously set speed.

When the cruise control system is on, you do not need to “push on the gas” - you can take your foot off the gas pedal. You can also set the speed limit to 90 km/h and sometimes increase it.

Operating conditions

In conditions of frequent descents and ascents, some difficulties may be observed when driving with the cruise control system activated. It depends on a combination of three factors: the steepness of the road, the set speed and the steepness of the descent (ascent). When climbing, a loss of speed is possible, while on a steep descent, engine braking may not be enough, you will need to press the brake pedal. This inevitably results in drivers disabling the cruise control system under such variable conditions.

WARNING!!!

It is strictly forbidden to turn on the cruise control system when the road is icy, wet and slippery. This could lead to an accident.
In difficult road conditions (fog, night, rain, snow, drizzle), cruise control cannot be used.

What is modern adaptive cruise control

Created a more advanced adaptive cruise control system (ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control) allows you to keep the necessary distance between cars at a given speed. The system is equipped with a laser or radar mounted behind the grille. The speed of return of the constant radar signals is scanned by the controller, which either accelerates the car or slows it down. This allows you to set the optimal distance between cars, which contributes to traffic safety.

The adaptive cruise control automatically takes into account the distance to the vehicle in front. The indication is displayed on the instrument panel (click the picture to enlarge)

The adaptive cruise control works like a normal cruise control after the obstacle is cleared to a safe distance: the previously set speed is restored.

Laser adaptive control systems are much cheaper than radar systems. The disadvantage of laser systems is that in bad weather conditions (rain, snow, spray from cars in front), the laser does not see the obstacle. A dirty car is not perceived by the laser at all.

The radar cruise control system is installed on executive and expensive sports cars.

Many European countries consider the adaptive cruise control system to be the most promising in the automotive industry. The system allows the driver to drive comfortably and improves the safety of all passengers by preventing collisions.

Today's "advanced" adaptive cruise control systems are equipped with audible and visual warnings. And the most modern ones can make independent decisions about emergency braking if the driver slows down or avoids braking.

I would like to warn drivers: adaptive cruise control sometimes makes mistakes, erroneously identifying an obstacle, so the driver must be careful on the road even with such a perfect system.

It should be noted that when the cruise control is on, the engine operation mode is selected, which consumes the least amount of fuel.

Additional information for drivers

Checking the passive cruise control system

If the car does not maintain speed when the cruise control system is activated, you need to make sure that it is working.

Procedure for verification:

1. Turn on the ignition. Turn on the cruise control ON switch. The CRUISE ENGAGED indicator light should come on. The indicator light may be burned out, if so, it needs to be replaced.
2. Press the RES+ button (switch) for 3 seconds. The indicator light should turn on for 3 seconds and turn off for 2 seconds. After that, if there is a breakdown, the indicator will display error codes in self-diagnosis mode. If everything is normal, to reset the self-diagnostic mode, you need to accelerate to 16 km / h, turn off the cruise control system by pressing the OFF button and make sure that the indicator goes out.

Error codes read by indicator lamp

When reading, remember that:

• there is a long pause between codes;
• two-digit codes are separated by a short pause.

Example, code 12: long flash, short pause, two short flashes.

Error code 01
It is necessary to check the wiring going to the main cruise control buttons, inspect the brake light switch, check the cruise control brake pressure sensor is working.

Error code 05
Check fuse and wiring between fuse and cruise control.

Error code 07
Check the cruise control brake sensor and brake light switch.

Error code 11

Error code 12
You need to check the cruise control switch.

In the car. Meanwhile, this is an old system that previously could only maintain the speed of the car, and the driver did not have to hold the gas pedal. This system provided additional convenience and comfort when driving on highways and highways. As a result of the use of cruise control, the driver is less tired behind the wheel. Also, in theory, this helps to reduce fuel consumption, since the engine runs evenly when using the system, and its speed does not jump.

What is cruise control for in a car?

This system is needed to provide additional convenience when traveling long distances. For example, if a driver needs to get from one city to another, while covering 500-600 kilometers, then on a car without this system, he will have to hold the gas pedal for 5-6 hours (depending on the speed of movement), which is actually equal to holding right foot in an uncomfortable position. During the entire journey, you want to change the position of your leg, but you can’t do this. It seems that this is a trifle, but holding the gas pedal for 5-6 hours is actually very difficult.

By activating the cruise control function in the car, the driver can afford to release the accelerator pedal. The system will supply fuel to the combustion chambers not through the gas pedal, but through special pneumatic actuators. The driver will be able to regulate the speed of movement using the buttons that are located on the steering wheel (usually there are 5 buttons).

System management

Now that we understand what it is - cruise control in a car, we can figure out how it works. Usually there are 5 buttons on the steering wheel to control this system:

1. On/Off button that activates and deactivates the system.
2. The switch of fixing of the high-speed mode and increase in speed. That is, after accelerating to the required speed, the driver can use the switch to fix the current speed and release the gas pedal. Subsequent presses of this button will increase the speed by 1 km per hour.
3. If, while using cruise control, the driver had to accelerate or brake sharply by pressing the gas or brake pedal, then the parameters of this system are reset. To quickly activate cruise control and return to the previously set speed, the driver needs to press the Resume button.
4. Coast down button. Each press of the button reduces the speed by 1 km. In some models, the step of decreasing and adding speed is 1.5 km.
5. The Cancel button deactivates the system.

Depending on the car model, this system may be represented by other buttons, the step of accelerating and decelerating speed may differ. But the principle looks exactly as described above.

Kinds

In total there are several types of cruise control in the car. What does passive or active type mean? In the first case, the driver has the opportunity only to set the speed of the car. However, the second type involves the use of complex electronic devices, which scan the space in front of the car, which opens up additional possibilities for driving a vehicle depending on traffic conditions.

Passive type (PPC)

As we have already found out, passive cruise control allows you to keep a set speed, which is convenient for long trips over long distances. Due to the constant high-speed operation of the engine, fuel economy is ensured.

The control is turned off when the driver slightly presses the gas pedal. The design of such a system has a special pneumatic drive that regulates the flow of air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber through the throttle valve. This eliminates the need to use the gas pedal.

Active (or adaptive) type

Adaptive cruise control is an advanced version of the active type. In addition to being able to maintain speed without stepping on the accelerator, vehicles with adaptive cruise control can calculate the distance to the vehicle in front, and slow down or speed up depending on the situation on the road. That is, if the system determines that the distance to the car in front is decreasing, then the system slows down the speed. The speed is reduced until the gap between the cars, according to the system, becomes optimal. If the sensor stops seeing an obstacle ahead, then the car picks up speed and keeps this speed mode.

Safety

The adaptive cruise control setup on the car is smart enough to provide not only driving comfort on the highways and highways, but also the safety of the driver, who can be too relaxed on the road.

In addition, this system can produce not only emergency braking, but also evasive maneuvers. This greatly increases driving safety, and often such systems have saved the lives of people and the integrity of the car itself in various situations on the roads.

Note that adaptive (or active) cruise control is closely related to the operation of ABS and ESP systems (stabilization and anti-towing systems), and if at least one of them stops working, then cruise control cannot be activated either.

dynamic type

In addition to adaptive and passive cruise control, there is also dynamic. It is one of the varieties of the passive type. A feature of this system is the control of engine operation, which saves fuel and engine life.

For example, when climbing a hill, the system slows down and slows down, which protects the motor from unnecessary loads. Also, the speed is reduced and in the event of any problems with the engine and when the car enters into turns. After passing the turn, the previous speed is restored.

Now we figured out what it is - cruise control in a car. Let's define its main advantages and disadvantages.

pros

The advantages of this system are obvious to every driver. First of all, this is convenience when driving and reducing the load on the back due to the absence of the need to keep your foot on the gas pedal. Some drivers note fuel economy as an advantage of such a system. In theory, savings are achieved by ensuring the uniformity of the engine and the absence of drops in fuel injection. In addition, if adaptive cruise control is installed, it also provides additional vehicle traffic safety.

Flaws

The main disadvantage is the high cost of the system. Cars with cruise control systems are expensive and out of reach for most consumers. However, cars with conventional passive systems are already available to the middle class of consumers.

If you believe the reviews of some drivers who actively use this system, there is no fuel economy at all, and in some cases there is even increased consumption. Another serious drawback is the unsafe use of the system due to the fact that the driver can be too relaxed while driving. Constantly keeping your foot on the gas pedal, you won’t be able to relax much.

The next disadvantage is the impossibility of using the system on roads with frequent descents and turns, as well as on highways with heavy traffic. There is no need to talk about the use of the system in the city at all.

Many drivers do not recommend using this system on roads after or during rain, as the driver needs to feel the car when braking. Otherwise, it may lead to an accident. This system is suitable only for those drivers who often travel from city to city. In urban traffic, the function is practically useless, since there are no long sections of the route in the city where it would be possible to keep a stable speed for a long time.

Conclusion

Now we finally understand what it is in a car - cruise control. Such a system is really useful and necessary - it should be in every car. Gradually, such systems appear in cars of the middle and even budget class, but so far these are just passive varieties. In addition, you can install this system even on a car in which this technology is not provided by the manufacturer. Special installations are sold in car dealerships.

You can put an end to this. We figured out what it is - cruise control in a car. Technology is useful in some cases, but you should not get carried away with it, since the driver should not lose concentration on the road.