What are the reasons for NOT using Cruise Control?

[Sysop]

The Rolls-Can'ardly Driving Method... Best way to achieve optimum fuel economy. Heck with folk who wanna maintain the exact speed all the time. Folk frustrated by someone changing speeds a bit is probably the sort that loses their mind in heavy traffic and tries to pass in any lane.

If you're annoyed by someone changing speed, you need to remove yourself from the road and stay out of automobiles. You are the hazard. All those folk out there pay the same taxes as everyone else. If they're obeying traffic laws and not exceeding the speed limit or going far enough below it to warrant a ticket (generally 15MPH below the limit), you are in the wrong for becoming annoyed and need to get a life (and leave earlier so you're not late). They have just as much right to be there doing whatever it is they're doing, as you have to be there too. If their rights annoy you, you are undeserving of your rights...

 

[turnkey4099]

The Rolls-Can'ardly Driving Method... Best way to achieve optimum fuel economy. Heck with folk who wanna maintain the exact speed all the time. Folk frustrated by someone changing speeds a bit is probably the sort that loses their mind in heavy traffic and tries to pass in any lane.

If you're annoyed by someone changing speed, you need to remove yourself from the road and stay out of automobiles. You are the hazard. All those folk out there pay the same taxes as everyone else. If they're obeying traffic laws and not exceeding the speed limit or going far enough below it to warrant a ticket (generally 15MPH below the limit), you are in the wrong for becoming annoyed and need to get a life (and leave earlier so you're not late). They have just as much right to be there doing whatever it is they're doing, as you have to be there too. If their rights annoy you, you are undeserving of your rights...

So in your mind soemone causing havoc on the road with constant speed changes, dubious passes, etc. etc., gets a free pass?

I notice a lot of references to the speed limit in this thread.

1. Hardly anyone drives the speed limit.
2. Ask any safety expert and you will be told that the safest speed is whatever the 'flow' is, be that at, below or above the limit.
3. Any behavior causing 'turbulence' in the flow is a problem.

Above relates to low to moderate traffic, when it becomes 'congested' almost anything is a problem.

 

[turnkey4099]

I watched the speedo on my morning 3 mile climb up the grade out of the canyon from town. Usually involves one downshift and one upshift. Set cc at 55, Needle never even flickered either time.

 

[Citydude]

I don't use CC and i must be doing pretty good because a lot of drivers hand signal me that I'm #1.

 

[AchingBack]

Back when cruise control first appeared, a late friend related how the CC in his car stuck at 60 mph as he was nearing his freeway exit. In a panic, he almost rear ended a vehicle before finally slamming on the brakes, coming to a stop,

 

[LD1]

I notice a lot of references to the speed limit in this thread.

1. Hardly anyone drives the speed limit.
2. Ask any safety expert and you will be told that the safest speed is whatever the 'flow' is, be that at, below or above the limit.

Unfortunately, those excuses dont work well in court or when pulled over.

Its clear you arent gonna change your mind, and I certainly aint changing mine (obviously because I dont have cruise control). So we will have to agree to disagree. But rest assured, I can maintain speed accurately, and dont impede the flow behind me unless they want to drive faster than I would even have the cruise set for. If a driver behind me dont like my driving, its unlikely that running CC would help.

The root cause of the issue, IS THE DRIVER BEHIND ME. PERIOD. If my small speed fluctuations when going up and down hill are causing someone to constantly be messing with their CC setting.....then DUH.....you have it set TOO fast. IF my goal is to drive 58 MPH.....I have no problem accelerating to 61 MPH in anticipation of a hill. And letting the speed drop to 55 MPH by the time I crest said hill. IF you leave your CC set and not try to accelerate to match my speed, you wont have a problem. But if you insist on keeping it close to my bumper by speeding up when I do.....Well tough *****, your gonna slow down when I do as well. And once the hill is crested and we resume 58 MPH....All will be well. Until the next hill.

Again, if you insist on following me so close that my minor speed changes causes you issues.....YOU are the problem and need to back off my bumper. Weather you follow me at 50 ft, 150 ft, or 500ft.....you aint gonna get there any quicker.

 

[Sysop]

Unfortunately, those excuses dont work well in court or when pulled over.

Its clear you arent gonna change your mind, and I certainly aint changing mine (obviously because I dont have cruise control). So we will have to agree to disagree. But rest assured, I can maintain speed accurately, and dont impede the flow behind me unless they want to drive faster than I would even have the cruise set for. If a driver behind me dont like my driving, its unlikely that running CC would help.

The root cause of the issue, IS THE DRIVER BEHIND ME. PERIOD. If my small speed fluctuations when going up and down hill are causing someone to constantly be messing with their CC setting.....then DUH.....you have it set TOO fast. IF my goal is to drive 58 MPH.....I have no problem accelerating to 61 MPH in anticipation of a hill. And letting the speed drop to 55 MPH by the time I crest said hill. IF you leave your CC set and not try to accelerate to match my speed, you wont have a problem. But if you insist on keeping it close to my bumper by speeding up when I do.....Well tough *****, your gonna slow down when I do as well. And once the hill is crested and we resume 58 MPH....All will be well. Until the next hill.

Again, if you insist on following me so close that my minor speed changes causes you issues.....YOU are the problem and need to back off my bumper. Weather you follow me at 50 ft, 150 ft, or 500ft.....you aint gonna get there any quicker.

+1 Yer a smart fella...

 

[Sysop]

So in your mind soemone causing havoc on the road with constant speed changes, dubious passes, etc. etc., gets a free pass?

Absolutely; and if you're referring to the slight changes in speed I'm thinking of and referring to as "havoc", you need your head examined. If they're going anywhere between 15MPH-under and the speed-limit, and their speed varies 5-8MPH between inclines and descents but remains within that 15-under and the speed-limit range, that is fine and dandy. If you don't like it and think the driver is infringing on your use of the roadway, call a cop. If that's all it takes to get you worked up, ya might want to consider therapy before ya stroke out or have a coronary.

 

[dragoneggs]

Funny... this thread seemed to have struck a nerve for some. I get the you're #1 sign occasionally too. Sometimes maybe deserved. I use CC quite often... can't get my better half to do it on the rare occasions I let her drive. Downhills I shut it off on my BMW because it downshifts to maintain speed and I don't like that. Both my F150 and BMW have enough power to easily climb grades under normal loads. If I am towing, I do not use CC unless flat. I admit, I am a fast driver. Rarely under/at the speed limit. Sorry but it is the way I roll. My big frustration is people not moving to the right when approached from behind. Driving in Europe is a pleasure... everyone seems to know the 'rules'.

 

[Sysop]

My big frustration is people not moving to the right when approached from behind.

Do you run right up on the bumpers of folk who are passing, but doing so slower than you would? Do you immediately try to pass on the right if they're getting a couple car lengths ahead before moving over?

If either of those are you, you are an aggressive driver and it will eventually bite ya in the rear (and needs to as soon as possible). I drive over the speed limit often myself, but I do so where there is no traffic to contend with and when in traffic always drive defensively like nobody can see me and will pull out and hit me at any time.