cruise control feels dangerous when is the ebst time to use?

londonTiger

Also does cruise control save more fuel than manual cruise control where you just feather the gas pedal when needed to help the vehicle maintain speed?

It feels really odd for me to use cruise control. I'd only ever use it on a completely clear road, and living in London, even the carriageways and motorways are quite stuffy.

When you drive without cruis control you have your foot planted right above the gas, ready to press gas when you need it. You also know that the brake is right next to the gas.

When on cruis control, you take both feet off the pedeals and rest it on the side. This can make it difficult to find the brake pedal when you need to hit it. A few times I've spotted something up ahead and needed to find the brake pedal and couldn't really find it immediately it did leave me panicking, I have to say.

arcon5

I've always left my foot hovering the break.

marlot

Best on clear motorways. Can't remember the last time I used mine!

The trick is to look ahead. You can then disconnect it on the steering wheel when there is traffic slowing ahead. You can move both feet away from the pedals. If you're having to hover over the brake you're probably better not using it - the traffic is too heavy.

My experience is that I can do 1-2mpg better than the cruise control. Mainly by being prepared to let the car slow slightly when going uphill and regain the speed going down.

gilbert_and_sullivan

On the two vehicles i owned it was fitted to it probably got used for 20 miles if that, simply more electronic rubbish to go wrong.

I use it on the trucks i drive once in a blue moon.

Being a bit old fashioned i tend to think a driver should be in control of the vehicle and not the other way round, a car moving at speed is not a childs game boy toy, if the car crashes an onscreen message doesn't flash game over and reset.

mikey72

I use it in traffic, at any speed it works at.
Touch the brakes to stop, hit resume whenever the speed picks up.
Usually set to the speed limit for the zone, but then adjusted down for the conditions, and back up to the limit.
Saves a lot of leg ache.

Then used on clear roads as well.

So basically I drive with it, rather than the pedal.

Paperbird

Use it all the time on motorways and DC's unless there is too much traffic and I have to keep changing speed.
Great when towing or going through roadworks just switch it on and don't have to keep checking the speedo.
I never use it in fog, heavy rain etc.

datostar

Years ago I drove a Motorhome on a round trip to Alicante (about 3000 miles). Driving all day on pretty much traffic free roads at 55 mph for the most part left me with severe cramp in my right leg each evening. When we got back home I installed cruise control. Absolutely transformed that vehicle. My present car has cruise control/speed limiter. I use the limiter much more than the cruise, in fact, almost permanently. On the odd occasion I find a nice clear stretch of road I'll use the cruise control in the same style as mikey72.

Strider590

Anywhere with low traffic and/or stupidly low speed limits limits....

forgotmyname

Road works with a low speed limit or a clear motorway or dual carriageway.

If in heavy traffic then its useless and i can get better fuel consumption compared to the cruise control because i can see hazards ahead and slow down instead of getting too close and having to brake.

Also you dont need to press the brake pedal to disengage it. Pressing resume or stop etc or pressing the clutch pedal. At least you dont get the brake lights coming.

Gloomendoom

I use it a lot on motorways or anywhere where there is little traffic. I'm not sure it saves fuel though as when I hit "resume" after braking, it pins me back in the seat until it reaches the preset speed.

Mrs_Arcanum

Motorway roadworks with average speed cameras.