driving slow : your views ?

Fergie76

My current car is my first car that has CC. I only really use for average speed camera area's.

Does using CC use any extra fuel? I tend to use my speed limiter more.

Cornucopia

brat wrote: »

In may occasions during your drive, the optimum speed may gradually become 1, 2, 3 mph less than the speed you've set your cc at. Do you release cc to allow for that reduction, which may be minimal but would be accounted for by a light accelerator adjustment, or do you continue with cc in the hope that the situation resolves itself?

Depends on the nature of the hazard. If it is that I am closing on the vehicle in front with no opportunity to overtake, then obviously a quick press of the CC controls will either turn it off, or reduce the speed. If the hazard is a little light rain, then maybe wait to see if it will get heavier. Either way, I don't see the reaction with CC being any different to without it.

I also sense that those who sit at a constant unwavering xmph on cc consider themselves to be more correct than those whose speed varies depending on circumstances or personal concentration levels. This is of course wrong, but I get a sense from some posters that they think this way.

It's not wrong. You are simply characterising it that way to suit your personal POV.

The reality is that keeping a stable speed whilst the driving conditions remain favourable is best practice. Obviously that applies most readily to motorway driving, and obviously it's possible to do it whether you have/use CC or not.

edit: As the Highway Code says (of motorway driving) ...

When you can see well ahead and the road conditions are good, you should ... drive at a steady cruising speed which you and your vehicle can handle safely and is within the speed limit

http://www.gov.uk/motorways-253-to-273/on-the-motorway-260-to-263

Cornucopia

Fergie76 wrote: »

Does using CC use any extra fuel? I tend to use my speed limiter more.

Generally not - not on modern cars, anyway. Typically, the accelerator pedal is no longer a mechanical connection to the engine, but an electronic one. When the car is on CC, it is simply managing the accelerator setting to maintain the set speed.

The only situation it might use more fuel is going up hill - when it will burn more fuel to maintain the speed, whilst most drivers will let their speed fade a little. (Though this is bad practice).

Fergie76

Cornucopia wrote: »

Generally not - not on modern cars, anyway. Typically, the accelerator pedal is no longer a mechanical connection to the engine, but an electronic one. When the car is on CC, it is simply managing the accelerator setting to maintain the set speed.

The only situation it might use more fuel is going up hill - when it will burn more fuel to maintain the speed, whilst most drivers will let their speed fade a little. (Though this is bad practice).

Thanks. I have done a lot of motorway driving lately and was always reluctant to use as someone told me it use more fuel.

Will definitely be using it more now.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Cornucopia wrote: »

The only situation it might use more fuel is going up hill - when it will burn more fuel to maintain the speed, whilst most drivers will let their speed fade a little. (Though this is bad practice).

This is bad practice? What the hell? Why?
If "most" people do it, then surely it's what happens, and CC is breaking the norm and will suffer.

Cornucopia

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

This is bad practice? What the hell? Why?

Because the Highway Code says so?

If "most" people do it, then surely it's what happens, and CC is breaking the norm and will suffer.

"Suffer"? :eek:

UsernameAlreadyExists

Cornucopia wrote: »

Because the Highway Code says so?

Says what? The highway code was written a long time before cruise control was invented. I can't imagine that CC is fitted to more than 50% of cars, so you're in the minority.

Cornucopia wrote: »

"Suffer"? :eek:

Yes, "suffer", because you'll be driving into the back of people unless you adjust something.

Cornucopia

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

Says what? The highway code was written a long time before cruise control was invented. I can't imagine that CC is fitted to more than 50% of cars, so you're in the minority.

I refer you to post #843.

It's not about CC. It's about maintaining a steady speed on motorways, which is best practice, AND as it turns out part of the Highway Code.

Yes, "suffer", because you'll be driving into the back of people unless you adjust something.

OMG... You're right! We should obviously ban it straight away. :mad:

UsernameAlreadyExists

Cornucopia wrote: »

I refer you to post #843.

It's not about CC. It's about maintaining a steady speed on motorways, which is best practice, AND as it turns out part of the Highway Code.

A steady cruising speed is keeping your foot in the same place. That's how cruise control (or the throttle locks) USED to work. If your actual speed drops when climbing a hill and increases when descending ... so will everyone else.
Cruise control is messing it up.

Cornucopia wrote: »

OMG... You're right! We should obviously ban it straight away. :mad:

Until it becomes the norm, it's the minority ... and as such is wrong. CC users need to consider other road users. Funny how this thread goes around and around. and around.

Cornucopia

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

A steady cruising speed is keeping your foot in the same place. That's how cruise control (or the throttle locks) USED to work. If your actual speed drops when climbing a hill and increases when descending ... so will everyone else.
Cruise control is messing it up.

You can't possibly believe this.

Until it becomes the norm, it's the minority ... and as such is wrong. CC users need to consider other road users. Funny how this thread goes around and around. and around.

I think the roads can tolerate different speeds. Funny how some posters demand the right to their own speed(s) and want to deny it to others.