What Cruise Control Does and When to Use It
Cruise control lets you set your car to maintain a steady speed without keeping your foot on the gas pedal. Once activated, the system holds that speed until you brake, turn the steering wheel, or press the cancel button. It is useful on long highway drives where the speed limit stays constant, reducing fatigue in your legs and feet.
Cruise control works best on flat, straight roads with light traffic. Do not use it in heavy traffic, on winding roads, in rain or snow, or in city driving where you need to brake frequently. The system cannot see obstacles ahead or adjust for road conditions—you remain responsible for steering and watching the road at all times.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise control is activated by pressing the On button (usually on the steering wheel or dashboard stalk), then accelerating to your desired speed and pressing Set or Resume.
- You can adjust the set speed up or down using the plus and minus buttons without canceling the system.
- Pressing the brake pedal when ready cancels cruise control, and you must reactivate it if you want to use it again.
- Cruise control should only be used on highways with steady traffic and clear conditions, never in rain, snow, or heavy traffic.
- Adaptive cruise control (available on newer cars) automatically slows down if a vehicle ahead gets closer, but standard cruise control does not.
Locating the Cruise Control Buttons
Most cars have cruise control buttons on the steering wheel itself, usually on the right or left spoke. Look for buttons labeled "On," "Off," "Set," "Resume," "+" (increase speed), and "−" (decrease speed). Some older vehicles have a stalk that extends from the steering column instead, which you push or pull to control the system.
Check your owner's manual if you cannot find the buttons—the exact location and labeling varies by manufacturer. Some cars also have a main on/off switch on the dashboard or instrument panel that you must turn on before the steering wheel buttons will work. Once you know where they are, you will use the same buttons every time you drive.
Turning On Cruise Control and Setting Your Speed
First, press the "On" or "Cruise" button. You will usually see a light appear on your dashboard indicating the system is ready. The light may say "Cruise," "CC," or show a speedometer symbol. At this point, cruise control is on but not yet holding a speed.
Accelerate to the speed you want to maintain—for example, 65 miles per hour on the highway. Once you reach that speed, press the "Set" or "Resume" button. The system will now hold that exact speed without your foot on the gas. You should feel the engine adjust automatically to keep the car moving at the speed you set.
If you need to slow down slightly (for example, to 60 mph), press the "−" button once or twice. If you need to speed up to 70 mph, press the "+" button. Each press usually changes the speed by 1 mile per hour, though some cars change by 5 mph per press. You do not need to cancel and reset—the new speed becomes your cruise control setting when ready.
Canceling Cruise Control
Cruise control cancels automatically the moment you press the brake pedal. This is a safety feature—your car returns to normal driving mode so you have full control. You will also see the cruise control light on your dashboard turn off.
You can also cancel by pressing the "Off" or "Cancel" button on the steering wheel. This stops the system without braking, so your car will coast or continue at whatever speed it naturally maintains. If you want to use cruise control again after canceling, you must press "On" and set a new speed—pressing "Resume" alone will not work after a full cancel.
Some cars have a "Resume" button that remembers the last speed you set. If you cancel cruise control and then press "Resume" within a short time (usually a few minutes), the system will accelerate back to that speed. This is handy if you briefly need to slow down for traffic, then want to return to highway speed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not set cruise control and then remove your hands from the wheel or your attention from the road. You must steer the car yourself and watch for hazards. Cruise control only controls speed, not steering or braking.
Do not use cruise control on wet or icy roads. If your wheels lose traction, the system may not respond correctly, and you could lose control. Similarly, avoid cruise control in heavy rain, fog, or snow.
Do not forget that pressing the brake cancels cruise control. Some drivers expect the system to stay active and are surprised when they have to reset it. Always be ready to take over steering and braking manually.
Do not use cruise control in stop-and-go traffic. The constant acceleration and braking will wear out your transmission and make the ride jerky. Cruise control is designed for steady-speed driving, not for traffic that changes speed every few seconds.
Adaptive Cruise Control vs. Standard Cruise Control
Newer cars often have adaptive cruise control (sometimes called "intelligent" or "dynamic" cruise control), which is different from standard cruise control. Adaptive cruise control uses radar or cameras to detect the car ahead of you. If that car slows down, your car automatically slows down too, maintaining a safe distance. When the car ahead speeds up or moves out of your lane, your car accelerates back to your set speed.
Standard cruise control, found on most cars, does not detect other vehicles. It straightforward holds the speed you set, regardless of traffic. If a car ahead slows down, you must brake manually to avoid hitting it. Adaptive cruise control is more convenient on busy highways, but standard cruise control is simpler and works on any road.
Check your owner's manual or dashboard display to see which type your car has. The buttons and basic operation are similar, but adaptive systems have additional settings for following distance that you can adjust.
Troubleshooting Cruise Control Problems
If the cruise control light does not turn on when you press the button, the system may not be enabled. Some cars require you to turn on a main switch on the dashboard first. Check your owner's manual for the location of this switch.
If cruise control turns on but will not hold a speed, the system may have detected a problem. Common causes include a faulty brake light switch, a sensor malfunction, or a transmission issue. Have a mechanic inspect the system if this happens repeatedly.
If cruise control cancels unexpectedly while you are driving, you may have accidentally touched the cancel button, or the brake pedal may have been slightly depressed. Some cars also cancel cruise control if they detect a skid or loss of traction. If cancellations happen often without an obvious cause, have the system checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cruise control in the rain?
No. Rain reduces tire grip and makes it harder for you to steer or brake safely. Cruise control cannot adjust for wet conditions, so you should always drive manually in rain. Wait for dry roads before using cruise control again.
What happens if I press the gas pedal while cruise control is on?
Pressing the gas pedal will override cruise control and accelerate your car. Once you release the pedal, cruise control will resume holding your set speed. This is useful if you need a quick burst of speed to pass another vehicle.
Does cruise control use more or less fuel than driving manually?
Cruise control typically uses slightly less fuel because it maintains a steady speed without the small speed changes that happen when a driver adjusts the gas pedal. On a long highway drive, this can add up to a small savings, though the difference is usually modest.
Can I use cruise control on city streets?
No. City driving involves frequent stops, turns, and speed changes. Cruise control is designed for highways where you can maintain the same speed for long stretches. Using it in the city is unsafe and impractical.
What is the difference between Set and Resume?
Set stores your current speed as the cruise control target. Resume recalls the last speed you set and accelerates your car back to that speed. Use Set the first time you set up cruise control, and Resume if you cancel and want to return to the same speed later.