Activating cruise control: the basic steps
To turn on cruise control, locate the stalk or button on your steering column or steering wheel — most cars have it on the left side of the wheel or on a stalk below it. Press the button or switch labeled "On," "Cruise," or with a speedometer icon. A light on your dashboard will come on to show cruise control is ready. You are not yet cruising; you are just powering up the system.
Once the system is on, accelerate to the speed you want to maintain — usually at least 25 mph, though some cars require 30 mph or higher. When you reach that speed, press the "Set" or "Resume" button (often the same control). The car will hold that speed automatically until you cancel it. You will hear a beep or see a message on the dashboard confirming the speed has been set.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise control activates with an "On" button on your steering wheel or column, then requires you to set a speed by pressing "Set" after you reach the desired speed.
- You must be going at least 25 to 30 mph (depending on your car) before the system will hold a speed.
- Pressing the brake pedal when ready cancels cruise control, and you regain full control of the car.
- Most cars let you adjust the set speed up or down by a few mph without fully canceling the system, using "+" and "−" buttons.
- Never use cruise control on wet roads, in heavy traffic, or on winding roads where you need to brake frequently.
Where to find the cruise control button
The location varies by car make and model, but the button is almost always within arm's reach of the steering wheel. On many Toyota, Honda, and Ford vehicles, it is a stalk that hangs down from the steering column on the left side. On BMW, Mercedes, and Audi cars, it is often a rocker switch or buttons on the back of the steering wheel spokes. Some newer cars have it integrated into a touchscreen menu instead.
Check your owner's manual if you cannot find it — the manual will have a diagram showing exactly where it is on your specific model. The manual also tells you the minimum speed your car requires before cruise control will engage, which can vary from 25 to 40 mph depending on the vehicle.
Adjusting speed without canceling cruise control
Once cruise control is set, you do not have to cancel it to change speed slightly. Most cars have "+" and "−" buttons (or "Accel" and "Decel") that let you raise or lower the set speed by 1 mph at a time. Hold the button down to change speed faster. This is useful on highways when you want to go a bit faster or slower without fully disengaging the system.
If you need to slow down more than a few mph — for example, because traffic is slowing — it is usually faster and safer to just tap the brake pedal. This cancels cruise control when ready and gives you full control of the car. You can then set a new speed once traffic clears.
When cruise control cancels automatically
Pressing the brake pedal is the most common way cruise control shuts off. The moment your foot touches the brake, the system disengages and you are driving manually again. Some cars also cancel cruise control if you press the accelerator hard or if the car detects a skid or loss of traction.
On cars with adaptive cruise control (a more advanced version that adjusts speed based on traffic ahead), the system may slow down automatically if a car in front of you slows down, then resume your set speed when traffic clears. Standard cruise control does not do this — it holds your speed no matter what, so you must watch the road and brake yourself if needed.
Roads and conditions where cruise control should not be used
Do not use cruise control on wet or icy roads, in rain, or in snow. If your car loses traction, cruise control will not know it and may keep accelerating, making a skid worse. On winding mountain roads or roads with frequent curves, cruise control is unsafe because you need to brake often, and constantly canceling and resetting the system defeats the purpose.
Heavy traffic and city driving are also poor choices for cruise control. You will be braking and accelerating constantly, which means the system is on and off every few seconds. Cruise control is designed for long, straight stretches of highway where the speed stays steady — typically interstate driving or rural highways with light traffic.
Cruise control on hills and grades
Standard cruise control can struggle on steep hills. Going uphill, the car may slow down as the engine works harder, and cruise control will try to maintain speed by downshifting or increasing throttle. Going downhill, the car may speed up, and cruise control will cut power but may not brake hard enough to hold your set speed — you may need to tap the brake yourself.
If your car has adaptive cruise control or a feature called "grade logic" or "hill-hold," it handles grades better by adjusting power and braking automatically. Check your manual to see if your car has this. On steep grades, many drivers prefer to drive manually rather than rely on cruise control, especially on long downhill stretches where brake overheating is a risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cruise control and adaptive cruise control?
Standard cruise control holds a speed you set and does not change it unless you brake or adjust it manually. Adaptive cruise control uses radar or cameras to detect the car ahead and automatically slows down if that car slows, then speeds back up to your set speed when traffic clears. Adaptive cruise control is safer in traffic but costs more and is not available on all vehicles.
Can I use cruise control in the rain?
No. Rain reduces tire grip, and if your car starts to skid, cruise control will not know it and may make the skid worse by continuing to accelerate. Wait until the road is dry before using cruise control.
Why does my car slow down when I use cruise control going uphill?
Standard cruise control maintains engine throttle, not speed. Going uphill, the engine has to work harder, so the car naturally slows. The system does not brake or downshift aggressively enough to hold your exact speed on a steep grade. This is normal. Adaptive cruise control or grade-logic systems handle hills better.
Does cruise control use more or less fuel than driving manually?
Cruise control typically uses slightly less fuel on highways because it maintains a steady speed without the small accelerations and decelerations that happen when a human driver adjusts the pedal. The savings are small — usually a few percent — and only happen on flat, straight roads with steady traffic.
What should I do if cruise control will not turn on?
First, check that you are going at least 25 to 30 mph — most cars will not engage cruise control below that speed. If you are going fast enough and the button still does not work, check your owner's manual to see if there is a separate master switch or if cruise control is disabled in your car's settings. If it still does not work, have a mechanic check the system.