What cruise control does and when to use it
Cruise control is a system that maintains a steady speed without you pressing the accelerator. Once you set it, the car holds that speed automatically until you brake, turn the wheel sharply, or cancel the system. It works best on flat highways where traffic is light and predictable—not in city driving, heavy traffic, or on winding roads.
The system uses sensors to monitor your current speed and adjusts engine power to keep you at the speed you chose. It reduces fatigue on long drives by letting your foot rest, but it does not replace your attention to the road. You remain responsible for steering, braking, and watching for hazards.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise control activates only after you reach the desired speed, and you set it using buttons on or near your steering wheel.
- The system automatically disengages when you brake, press the clutch, or turn the wheel past a certain angle, so you always have when ready control.
- Cruise control works best on open highways with steady traffic; avoid it in rain, snow, heavy traffic, or on steep hills.
- Different car models have different button layouts and names for the feature—check your owner's manual to find yours.
- Adaptive cruise control, available on newer vehicles, automatically slows down if a car ahead slows, then speeds back up when traffic clears.
Finding the cruise control buttons on your car
Cruise control buttons are almost always mounted on or behind your steering wheel, either on stalks that extend from the wheel or on a pad on the wheel itself. On many cars, you will see a stalk on the left side of the steering column (the same area where turn signals live) with buttons labeled SET, RESUME, +, and −. On others, the controls are on the right side, or built into the steering wheel itself.
The exact layout varies widely by manufacturer and model year. Your owner's manual will show you exactly where they are and what each button does. If you have lost the manual, you can usually find a PDF version online by searching your car's year, make, and model plus "owner's manual."
The step-by-step process to turn on cruise control
First, reach a steady speed on an open road—usually at least 25 miles per hour, though some systems require 30 or 35. You cannot set cruise control while you are accelerating or coasting; you must be at the speed you want to maintain.
Once you are at that speed, press the button labeled ON, MAIN, or CRUISE. This activates the system but does not yet lock in your speed. You will see a light on your dashboard (usually a speedometer symbol or the word "CRUISE") turn on to show the system is ready.
Now press SET or ACCEL to lock in your current speed. The dashboard light will change to show that cruise control is now active and holding your speed. Your foot can come off the accelerator—the car will maintain that speed on its own.
Adjusting your speed while cruise control is on
If you want to go faster or slower without turning off cruise control, use the + and − buttons (or ACCEL and DECEL on some cars). Each press usually increases or decreases your speed by 1 mile per hour. Holding the button down will change the speed more quickly.
The new speed becomes your new set point. If you later press RESUME, the car will return to this adjusted speed, not the speed you originally set. This is useful if you slow down temporarily for a construction zone or slower traffic, then want to return to your chosen speed once the road clears.
How to turn off cruise control
Cruise control disengages automatically in several situations: when you press the brake pedal, when you press the clutch (on manual transmissions), or when you turn the steering wheel past a certain angle. In all these cases, the system straightforward stops holding your speed and returns control to you. The dashboard light will turn off.
You can also turn it off manually by pressing the OFF or CANCEL button. This stops the system but does not affect your current speed—you will continue at whatever speed you were going until you use the accelerator or brake yourself.
If you press RESUME within a short time after canceling (usually a few minutes), the car will return to your last set speed. If you wait too long or turn the car off, that speed is forgotten and you will need to set it again from scratch.
When not to use cruise control
Do not use cruise control in rain, snow, or on wet roads. If your wheels lose traction, the system may not respond quickly enough to prevent skidding. Similarly, avoid it on steep downhill grades—the system is designed to maintain speed, not to slow you down safely on a long descent, and relying on it can cause brake overheating.
Heavy traffic, city driving, and roads with frequent speed limit changes are also poor matches for cruise control. The constant need to brake and accelerate makes the system more of a hindrance than a help. Winding mountain roads and roads with sharp curves are unsafe for cruise control because the system disengages when you turn the wheel, and you may not be ready to take over steering and speed control at that moment.
Never use cruise control when you are tired or drowsy. The system is meant to reduce fatigue on long, straight highways, not to replace your attention. You must stay alert and ready to take control at any moment.
Adaptive cruise control on newer vehicles
Many newer cars offer adaptive cruise control (sometimes called dynamic cruise control or intelligent cruise control), which 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 following distance. When the road clears, your car speeds back up to your set speed.
The buttons and set up process are similar to standard cruise control, but you will usually see an additional control to set your preferred following distance (close, medium, or far). Check your owner's manual for the exact steps, as the layout and names vary by manufacturer. Adaptive cruise control is more convenient on highways with moderate traffic, but it still requires your full attention and does not replace safe driving practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cruise control in the rain?
No. Rain reduces tire grip, and cruise control cannot respond quickly enough if your wheels slip. Turn off cruise control whenever the road is wet, icy, or snowy, and drive at a speed you can control manually.
What happens if I press the brake while cruise control is on?
The system disengages when ready and returns full control to you. Your car will slow down only as much as you brake—cruise control does not fight the brake pedal. The dashboard light will turn off to show the system is no longer active.
Will cruise control damage my transmission?
No. Cruise control is designed to work safely with both automatic and manual transmissions. On a manual, the system disengages if you press the clutch. On an automatic, it straightforward adjusts engine power without shifting gears in any harmful way.
Can I set cruise control below 25 miles per hour?
Most cars will not allow you to set cruise control below 25 or 30 miles per hour for safety reasons. Check your owner's manual for your car's minimum speed. If you need to hold a steady speed below that threshold, you will have to do it manually with the accelerator.
What does the RESUME button do?
RESUME returns your car to the last speed you set in cruise control, as long as you have not turned the car off. This is useful if you cancel cruise control to slow down for traffic or a speed zone, then want to return to your original speed once the road clears.