Setting cruise control speed depends on your car's controls, but the basic steps are the same across most vehicles
To set cruise control, you accelerate to your desired speed using the gas pedal, then press the Set or Cruise button (usually on the steering wheel or stalk). The car holds that exact speed without you pressing the pedal. Different cars place these buttons in different spots — some have them on the steering wheel itself, others on a stalk below the wheel, and newer models may have them on the dashboard or integrated into a touchscreen. Your owner's manual shows exactly where yours are located.
Once cruise control is active, you can adjust the speed without turning it off. Most cars let you increase speed by pressing an up arrow or plus button, and decrease it with a down arrow or minus button. Some older vehicles require you to press Set again at a new speed. The adjustment usually changes speed in 1 mph increments, though some cars jump by 5 mph per press.
Key Takeaways
- Accelerate to your target speed with the gas pedal, then press Set or Cruise to lock in that speed.
- Cruise control buttons are usually on the steering wheel, a stalk below it, or the dashboard — check your owner's manual for your exact car.
- Use the up and down arrows or plus and minus buttons to raise or lower your set speed without turning cruise control off.
- Pressing the brake pedal when ready cancels cruise control, and you can resume the previous speed by pressing Resume on most vehicles.
- Never use cruise control on wet roads, in heavy traffic, or on steep hills, as the car cannot react to changing conditions.
Where the buttons are located on your dashboard or steering wheel
Steering wheel controls are the most common location. Look for buttons or a stalk on either side of the wheel, usually near your thumbs when you grip the wheel normally. The Set button is often larger or more prominent than the adjustment buttons. Some cars label them clearly; others use symbols like a speedometer icon or a car with lines behind it.
On vehicles with a stalk (a lever that pulls toward or pushes away from you), cruise control buttons may be on the stalk itself or on the back of the steering wheel. Pull the stalk toward you to set speed, push it away to cancel, or use the thumb buttons on the stalk to adjust. Older cars sometimes have a separate dial or switch on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Newer cars increasingly move cruise controls to the touchscreen or a combination of steering wheel buttons and screen menus. If you cannot find physical buttons, check the steering wheel carefully — some are small and straightforward to miss — or consult your owner's manual for the exact model year.
How to increase or decrease your speed once cruise control is on
After you press Set, look for up and down arrows or plus and minus symbols on the steering wheel or stalk. Pressing the up arrow or plus button raises your set speed by 1 mph per press on most vehicles. Holding the button down usually increases speed faster. The down arrow or minus button lowers speed the same way.
Some cars let you press Set again at a new speed instead of using adjustment buttons. To do this, accelerate or decelerate with the gas or brake pedal to your new target speed, then press Set once more. The car will lock onto that new speed. This method is slower than using the adjustment buttons but works on older vehicles that lack dedicated up and down controls.
The speed display appears on your dashboard or instrument cluster, showing your set speed in real time. Watch this display as you adjust so you know exactly what speed the car is maintaining.
What happens when you press the brake or turn off cruise control
Pressing the brake pedal when ready stops cruise control and returns full control to you. The car does not remember your set speed — you have to set it again manually. This is a safety feature: cruise control disengages the moment you need to slow down, so you always have priority over the system.
Turning off cruise control using the Off or Cancel button (usually on the steering wheel) also stops the system, but many cars let you press Resume to return to your previous set speed without having to accelerate and press Set again. Resume only works if you have not turned the car off or shifted into Neutral or Park.
Some vehicles have a separate Resume button, while others use the same button that turns cruise control on. Check your manual to see whether your car has a Resume function and where it is located.
Adaptive cruise control vs. standard cruise control
Adaptive cruise control (also called radar cruise control or intelligent cruise control) automatically slows your car if the vehicle ahead slows down, then speeds back up when traffic clears. Standard cruise control maintains a fixed speed no matter what is in front of you. If you have adaptive cruise control, you set it the same way — accelerate to speed and press Set — but the car handles speed changes on its own within traffic.
Adaptive systems use radar or cameras to detect the car ahead. You usually set a following distance (how many car lengths behind the vehicle in front) using the adjustment buttons. Pressing the up arrow increases distance; pressing down decreases it. The car then maintains that gap automatically.
Adaptive cruise control is standard on many newer vehicles but costs extra on some models. Check your owner's manual or dashboard display to see which type your car has. If you see a following distance setting or a radar symbol on your instrument cluster, you have adaptive cruise control.
When not to use cruise control
Do not use cruise control on wet, icy, or slippery roads. The car cannot sense traction loss the way you can, and maintaining a fixed speed on a slick surface can cause skidding or loss of control. Wait until roads are dry and conditions are normal.
Heavy traffic or stop-and-go driving makes cruise control unsafe unless you have adaptive cruise control. Standard cruise control cannot react to sudden stops, so you would have to brake manually anyway, defeating the purpose. Adaptive systems handle this better, but even they require you to stay alert and ready to take over.
Steep hills and mountain roads are also poor choices for cruise control. The car maintains speed by accelerating on downhills and braking on uphills, which can overheat the brakes or cause the engine to labor. Use cruise control only on flat highways with steady traffic flow.
Troubleshooting cruise control that will not set or stay on
If pressing Set does nothing, check that your car is moving at least 25 mph — most vehicles require a minimum speed before cruise control will engage. Accelerate to highway speed and try again. If the button still does not work, the cruise control system may be disabled by a warning light on your dashboard.
Some cars disable cruise control automatically if the engine is running poorly, the brake system is faulty, or the battery voltage is low. Check your instrument cluster for warning lights. If you see a brake warning light, ABS light, or engine light, have the car serviced before using cruise control again.
If cruise control engages but turns off when ready when you release the gas pedal, the system may not be fully activated. Press Set again and hold your foot off the pedal completely. If it still fails, consult your owner's manual or contact a dealer — the cruise control module may need repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set cruise control at any speed?
Most cars require a minimum speed of 25 mph before cruise control will engage. There is usually no maximum, but using cruise control above 65 mph on public roads is not recommended because you have less time to react to hazards. Always follow local speed limits.
What is the Resume button and how do I use it?
Resume lets you return to your previous set speed without accelerating and pressing Set again. After you cancel cruise control by braking or pressing Off, press Resume to lock back onto that speed. This only works if you have not turned off the engine or shifted into Park.
Does cruise control use more or less fuel?
Cruise control usually saves fuel on highways because it maintains a steady speed without the small accelerations and decelerations you make manually. However, on hilly terrain it may use more fuel because the car accelerates harder on downhills to maintain speed. Flat highways show the best fuel savings.
Can I use cruise control in the rain?
Standard cruise control is not safe in rain because wet roads reduce traction and the car cannot sense this. Adaptive cruise control is safer in light rain but still requires you to stay alert. Avoid cruise control in heavy rain, thunderstorms, or any condition where visibility or traction is poor.
Why does my cruise control keep turning off?
Cruise control disengages if you press the brake or gas pedal, if a warning light appears on your dashboard, or if the system detects a fault. Check for brake, ABS, or engine warning lights. If none appear and the system still will not stay on, the cruise control module may be faulty and needs professional inspection.