[Toy4Chris]

This may sound like a dumb question...but here goes:
My dad says that using the cruise control to actually drive the car does no damage whatsover to the car, and he suggests you get better gas mileage as a result.
He uses his CC to even drive stop sign to stop sign, and it's somewhat annoying to be a passenger while he drives.
Can anyone help with information "+" or "-" regarding this situation?

Thanks for your help
CHRIS

[BILTIT]

Yes, you would get better mileage using it on the highway. In town, i am not so sure. I would think the annoyance would be more than enough to say the hell with the any fuel mileage gains.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by Toy4Chris

He uses his CC to even drive stop sign to stop sign, and it's somewhat annoying to be a passenger while he drives.
Can anyone help with information "+" or "-" regarding this situation?

Thanks for your help
CHRIS

Any cruise control should have a speed switch that will PREVENT operation below a certain speed. My Lumina will not engage the cruise below about 26--27 mph, and I thought that was low. I had expected 35 mph or so. He should not be able to engage it at residential speeds.

Cruise on the highway is marginally better for economy than operation by foot pedal--IF (big IF) the terrain is flat. If you're going up 'n' down hills, you may get better mileage with careful use of the foot pedal, because the cruise system may accelerate harder than you would actually need to.

Cruise is NOT the magic economy device it's been played up to be. Using it "in town" is nuts.

And, just as a safety reminder--since I drove through Denver just before Christmas, during the big blizzard. There must have been two hundred cars and trucks in the ditch, some of 'em rolled over and looking like people died in 'em. Absolutely crushed. And yet the roads were NOT THAT BAD. My theory is that idiots try to drive on icy roads using cruise control--and when the tires spin, the cruise doesn't let off the gas--so the car becomes uncontrollable. Then the driver nails the brake just before hitting the ditch, assuring that the car is in real trouble as it leaves the road.

[Toy4Chris]

You are correct. He uses his foot to get up to 25 or so, and then uses the cruise control and "fingers" on the steering wheel to drive the car. I was wondering if is will create any premature "aging" to a transmission or tranfer case when in 4 wheel drive.????
Thanks

[BVR421]

Originally Posted by Schurkey

And, just as a safety reminder--since I drove through Denver just before Christmas, during the big blizzard. There must have been two hundred cars and trucks in the ditch, some of 'em rolled over and looking like people died in 'em. Absolutely crushed. And yet the roads were NOT THAT BAD. My theory is that idiots try to drive on icy roads using cruise control--and when the tires spin, the cruise doesn't let off the gas--so the car becomes uncontrollable. Then the driver nails the brake just before hitting the ditch, assuring that the car is in real trouble as it leaves the road.

Come on, you dont expect people to learn to actually drive thier cars do you? Detroit and the NHSA's "safety" devices would have you believe its not really necessary to actively participate in vehicle operation anymore.
Whats to worry? You are in "goodhands" and OnStar is right there to call the ambulance for you.

[BVR421]

Originally Posted by Schurkey

And, just as a safety reminder--since I drove through Denver just before Christmas, during the big blizzard. There must have been two hundred cars and trucks in the ditch, some of 'em rolled over and looking like people died in 'em. Absolutely crushed. And yet the roads were NOT THAT BAD. My theory is that idiots try to drive on icy roads using cruise control--and when the tires spin, the cruise doesn't let off the gas--so the car becomes uncontrollable. Then the driver nails the brake just before hitting the ditch, assuring that the car is in real trouble as it leaves the road.

Come on, you dont expect people to learn to actually drive thier cars do you? Detroit and the NHSA's "safety" devices would have you believe its not really necessary to actively participate in vehicle operation anymore.
Whats to worry? You are in "goodhands" and OnStar is right there to call the ambulance for you.