What Does Cruise Main Mean In A Car? (Control Light On)

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Have you ever seen the term “cruise main” in your car and had no idea what it meant? Cruise main is a term used in cars to describe a system that helps the vehicle maintain its speed. You may not have used it before. But if you’re planning a long road trip, it’s worth considering.

A cruise main control system uses an electronic throttle to maintain a set speed, also called a cruising speed. When activated, the cruise main will automatically adjust the idle speed and throttle position to maintain the desired speed.

cruise main light

When engaged, this system will automatically adjust your car’s speed to maintain the set cruising speed even if you take your foot off of the pedal. Learn more about Cruise Main in today’s blog post!

Overview Of Cruise Main

The cruise main switch is typically a simple button attached to the steering wheel that the driver can easily operate. In most cases, the switch will be clearly labeled with the word “cruise” or a symbol indicating that it controls the cruise control system.

How Is It Beneficial?

Cruise Main is said to be beneficial for those who want to avoid getting speeding tickets and those who want to be able to drive more safely. But what are the other benefits of using the cruise main in your car? Let’s take a look.

Saves Your Car’s Fuel

For one, cruise control can help you save on gas. By keeping your car at consistent speed control, you can avoid wasting gas by accelerating and braking too much. It can add up to big savings over time, especially if you do a lot of driving.

Stay Safe On Roads

Another benefit of cruise control is that it can help you stay safe on the road. You’re more likely to get into an accident if you’re constantly changing speeds. But if you keep your car at a steady speed, you’re less likely to have an accident. You’re less likely to make sudden moves that could cause an accident.

Helps You Relax On Long Trips

Lastly, cruise control can help you relax on long trips. If you’ve ever driven for hours, you know how tiring it can be. But if you have cruise control, you can just set it and forget it. You won’t have to worry about constantly adjusting your speed or worrying about traffic. You can just relax while your car does all the work.

How To Use Cruise Control In Your Car?

Here’s a quick rundown of how to use cruise control in your car:

  1. Find the cruise control button – It’s usually located on the steering wheel, near the car’s other audio and Bluetooth buttons.
  2. Set your desired speed – Once you’ve found the cruise control button, press and hold it until the desired speed is reached.
  3. Release the button – You can release the cruise control button once you reach your desired speed. The car will maintain that speed until you press the brake pedal or the cruise control button again.
  4. Resume your desired speed – If you need to slow down for traffic or a turn, press the resume button (usually located near the cruise control button) to return to your desired speed.

How To Turn Off Cruise Control?

You might want to turn off your adaptive cruise control for a few reasons. Maybe you’re approaching a stop sign or traffic light and must slow down. Or perhaps you’re going downhill and don’t want the car to speed up too much.

Whatever the reason, it’s easy to turn off your cruise control. Just press the brake pedal, and the cruise control will disengage. You can also turn the cruise control knob off to the “Off” position.

If you need to slow down for a stop sign or traffic light, it’s best to press the brake pedal instead of relying on cruise control to do it for you. You can keep your foot on the gas and avoid jerky starts and stops.

Check Out How To Use Cruise Control-EASY Driving Lesson:

YouTube video

Tips To Use Cruise Control Safely

Here are a few tips on how to use cruise control safely:

Pay Attention To The Road

You need to know what’s happening even though you’re not actively accelerating. Cruise control won’t brake for you, so if there’s a sudden slowdown ahead, you’ll need to be ready to hit the brakes.

Use It In Good Weather

Cruise control can be tricky in heavy rain or snow since your car’s speed can fluctuate with different road conditions. If the weather is bad, it’s best to turn off cruise control and drive manually.

Don’t Use It On Winding Roads

Cruise control can be dangerous on twisty roads since your car might go too fast for the conditions. If you’re driving on a windy road, it’s best to turn off the cruise control and drive manually.

Be Prepared To Take Over

Even if you’re using cruise control, you should still be ready to take over at any time. If something unexpected happens, you’ll need to be able to react quickly.

FAQs

Can Cruise Control Increase Gas Use?

This question has no definitive answer, as fuel economy can vary greatly depending on several factors. If you have a fuel-efficient car, cruise control can help you save money on gas. Cruise control may not make much difference if you have an older, less fuel-efficient vehicle.

Does the cruise control turn off when you brake?

The answer to this question largely depends on the type of cruise control system your vehicle is equipped with. For example, many older cruise control systems will disengage when the brake pedal is depressed.

However, newer cruise control systems often have a feature to remain engaged even when the brake pedal is depressed. So, it depends on the specific system your vehicle is equipped with.

What Does Coast in a Car Mean?

Coasting is when the driver takes their foot off the gas pedal and coasts without using the brakes. Coasting conserves fuel and can be used as a driving technique to save gas. 
There are a few different ways that you can coast in a car:
– One way is to take your foot off the gas pedal and naturally let the vehicle slow
down.
– You can also downshift to a lower gear to help the car slow down.
– And finally, you can use the brakes to bring the car to a stop slowly.

When Should Cruise Control Not Be Used?

There are a few circumstances in which you should not use cruise control. These include when the weather is bad, driving in heavy traffic, or on a winding road.

Additionally, it’s important to be aware of your vehicle’s speed limit and not raise the cruise control. Finally, if you need to make a sudden stop, it’s important to disengage the cruise control.

Why do I always have my cruise control on?

The first possibility is that your car’s cruise control system is stuck in the “on” position. It can happen for several reasons, but the main cruise control switch that turns the system on and off is the most common problem. If this switch is damaged or malfunctioning, it could cause the cruise control to stay on permanently.

Another possibility is that there is a problem with the cruise control itself. If it’s not working properly, it could send a signal to the car telling it to keep the cruise control on. Many things, including a loose wire or a faulty sensor, can cause it.

Final Considerations

Cruise control can be a great asset on long road trips, but it’s important to use it safely. Pay attention to the road and keep your hands on the wheel, even when cruise control is engaged. And if you’re ever in doubt, it’s always best to disengage the system and drive manually.

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Matt's life has been driven by his great love for cars, from the revving sounds of his childhood to the digital tracks of Gran Turismo. He is a big fan of cars and loves to learn about their inner workings and share his knowledge with other car fans. Even though he doesn't have ASE certifications, he works on cars all the time, so he's always up to date on the latest innovations and trends. Matt doesn't just want to write; he also wants to connect with other people who love cars as much as he does.