Cruise control lets you hold a steady speed without keeping your foot on the gas pedal

Cruise control is a system that maintains whatever speed you set, so your car keeps going at that exact mph without you pressing the accelerator. It works on highways and open roads where you can drive in a straight line for a while. The buttons and switches are usually on or near your steering wheel, and the process takes about five seconds once you know where they are.

Most cars have cruise control, but the exact buttons and steps vary by make and model. This guide covers the standard setup that works on nearly all vehicles built in the last 20 years. If your car is older or has a different layout, your owner's manual will show you the exact location of the controls.

Key Takeaways

  • Cruise control only works safely on highways and open roads where you can maintain a steady speed without braking or turning.
  • You must be going at least 25 to 30 mph before you can turn cruise control on, depending on your car.
  • The main controls are usually a stalk or buttons on the steering wheel, with options to set speed, increase it, decrease it, and turn it off.
  • You can cancel cruise control when ready by tapping the brake pedal, and you should do so whenever traffic gets heavy or the road becomes winding.
  • Cruise control does not steer the car or watch for obstacles — you must stay alert and keep both hands ready at all times.

Locate the cruise control buttons on your steering wheel

On most cars, cruise control buttons sit on the back of the steering wheel or on a stalk that extends from the steering column. Look for buttons labeled with a speedometer icon, the word "cruise," or symbols like a car with a line underneath it. Some cars have a separate stalk on the left or right side of the steering wheel that you push or pull instead of pressing buttons.

Open your owner's manual and search for "cruise control" if you cannot find the buttons. The manual will show you a diagram of your exact steering wheel layout and tell you which button does what. You can also take a photo of your steering wheel and search online for "[your car year, make, model] cruise control buttons" to see where other owners found theirs.

Speed up to at least 25 mph before turning cruise control on

Cruise control will not turn on if you are going too slowly. Most cars require you to be traveling at least 25 to 30 mph, though some luxury vehicles allow it at lower speeds. Drive at the speed you want to maintain — if you want to cruise at 65 mph, speed up to 65 mph first, then turn on cruise control.

Do not try to set cruise control in heavy traffic, on winding roads, or in rain or snow. Cruise control works best on straight, open highways where you can see far ahead and traffic is light. If you are unsure whether conditions are safe, keep your foot on the gas pedal instead.

Press the ON or SET button to set up cruise control

Once you are at your desired speed on a safe, open road, press the button labeled "ON," "CRUISE," or "SET." This button is usually on the steering wheel or on the stalk. Your dashboard will light up with a cruise control indicator — often a green light or a symbol showing a car with a line underneath it — to tell you cruise control is now active.

At this moment, you can take your foot off the gas pedal. The car will maintain the speed you were going when you pressed the button. If you were going 65 mph, the car will stay at 65 mph. If you were going 72 mph, it will stay at 72 mph. The engine will adjust automatically to keep that speed steady, even on slight hills.

Adjust your speed using the plus and minus buttons

Most steering wheels have separate buttons to increase or decrease your cruising speed. These are usually labeled with a plus sign (+) and a minus sign (−), or with up and down arrows. Press the plus button to go faster, one mph at a time, or hold it down to jump up several mph at once. Press the minus button to slow down the same way.

Some cars let you increase or decrease speed by 1 mph per press, while others jump by 5 mph. Check your owner's manual to see how your car works. You can adjust speed as many times as you want while cruise control is on — there is no limit to how many times you can press the button.

Turn off cruise control by tapping the brake pedal or pressing the OFF button

The fastest way to cancel cruise control is to tap the brake pedal, even lightly. The moment your foot touches the brake, cruise control shuts off and you are back in control of the gas and brakes. You do not have to press hard — a gentle tap is enough.

You can also press the button labeled "OFF," "CANCEL," or "CRUISE" again to turn off cruise control without braking. This is useful if you want to slow down gradually without using the brakes. Either way, the dashboard indicator will go dark, telling you cruise control is no longer active. Always keep your hands on the steering wheel and stay alert, even when cruise control is on, so you can take over when ready if you need to.

Common mistakes to avoid when using cruise control

Do not use cruise control on roads with curves, hills, or heavy traffic. Cruise control cannot steer around corners or slow down for other cars — it only maintains speed. If you come around a bend and there is a slower car ahead, you will catch up to it at full speed unless you brake. On winding mountain roads or busy city highways, keep your foot on the gas pedal instead.

Do not set cruise control in wet, icy, or snowy conditions. Your tires may lose grip on the road, and cruise control will not know to slow down. The car will keep accelerating to maintain speed, which can cause you to skid. In rain, snow, or ice, always drive manually so you can adjust your speed as conditions change.

Do not fall asleep or take your hands off the wheel. Cruise control is not autopilot — it does not watch for obstacles, pedestrians, or other hazards. You must stay alert and keep both hands ready to steer and brake at any moment. If you feel drowsy, pull over and rest before continuing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cruise control on the highway in light rain?

Light rain is usually safe for cruise control as long as the road is not slippery and you can see clearly. If visibility drops or the road feels slick, turn off cruise control and drive manually. When in doubt, keep your foot on the pedals so you can react quickly.

What happens if I press the gas pedal while cruise control is on?

Pressing the gas pedal will override cruise control temporarily. The car will speed up while you hold the pedal down. When you release it, cruise control will kick back in and return to your set speed. This is useful if you need to pass another car quickly.

Can I adjust cruise control speed while going uphill?

Yes, you can press the plus or minus buttons to adjust speed at any time, including on hills. However, cruise control may struggle to maintain speed on steep hills because the engine has to work harder. On very steep grades, it is safer to drive manually.

Does cruise control use more or less gas than driving manually?

Cruise control usually uses less gas because it maintains a steady speed without the small speed changes that happen when a person drives. However, the difference is small — usually just a few percent. The main benefit is comfort on long drives, not fuel savings.

What should I do if cruise control suddenly stops working?

First, check that you are going fast enough — most cars need at least 25 mph. If you are going faster and the button still does not work, there may be a fuse or electrical problem. Check your owner's manual for the fuse location, or take your car to a mechanic to have it inspected.