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Can You Add Aftermarket Cruise Control? [And How To]

  • July 20, 2023
  • Electronics

Cruise control is a feature in many cars. It allows drivers to control the speed of their vehicles without significantly relying on manual controls. But is it possible to install aftermarket cruise control? If so, how can you complete the installation procedure? We researched the answers to these questions, and here's what we found.

Most cars allow installations for aftermarket cruise control systems. Vehicle owners should first check if their chosen cruise control kits are compatible with their vehicles. Universal kits are available on the market to help reduce the inconvenience and risks associated with buying the wrong model.

Here's a quick look at the steps to install an aftermarket cruise control in a car:

  • Program the actuator and install it in a safe location in the vehicle.
  • Measure the throttle travel and mark the distance from the starting and finishing points.
  • Set the pulley segment to its open throttle position.
  • Slide the barrel cable through the appropriate hole and connect it to the rest of the cable assembly.
  • Remove the sleeve from the cable assembly with a wrench and nut.
  • Screw the snap-in adapter and attach it to the extension bracket.
  • Straighten the wiring harness by separating the 4-pin mating connectors.
  • Pass the 4-pin connector and the violet wire through the correct hole.
  • Reconnect the 4-pin connector and attach the other wires.
  • Use the sealing putty to cover the bulkhead hole.
  • Install the lever assembly in the driver panel.
  • Run diagnostics to check if the newly installed cruise control works.

One mistake can lead to disastrous results despite installing an aftermarket cruise control being a relatively DIY-friendly job. Continue reading to learn more about cruise control systems. We'll also talk about the installation steps in greater detail as you keep reading this post.

Driver setting the cruise control setting, Can You Add Aftermarket Cruise Control? [And How To]

What Is Cruise Control And How Does It Work?

Generally, cruise control functions by controlling a car's speed. For example, hitting the cruise control button once can cause a vehicle to accelerate or decelerate by one mph. So pressing the same button three times makes the car go faster or slower by three mph.

Lidar or radar function and range illustration

Various manufacturers also add extra features with their cars' cruise control features. Some of these add-ons may include [but aren't limited to]:

  • Automatic disengage: The cruise control will stop working upon hitting the brake pedal.
  • Adaptive cruise control: Uses laser or radar sensors to detect objects at the front and switch the vehicle's speed according to real-time driving conditions.
  • Set/Accel: Maintains the car's current speed.

Can Cruise Control Be Installed Aftermarket?

Steering wheel cruise control setting

It's possible to install aftermarket cruise control on relatively any car. The vehicle will typically only need a control switch to activate the features built into the cruise control module.

But keep in mind that different cruise control providers often add different characteristics and features to their products. The price ranges may also vary for each supplier.

Also, be aware that installing aftermarket products, including cruise control systems, may void the car manufacturer's warranty. Ensure that you fully understand the risks involved in installing third-party cruise control systems before proceeding with the assembly.

How To Install Cruise Control Kit For Car?

Before proceeding with this project, make sure that the cruise control kit is compatible with your vehicle. Also, read this system's owner's guide; the instruction manual may show you unique steps that might not be present in some cruise control kits offered by other brands.

You may also need to purchase other equipment required for this project. So expect to spend more money to buy these materials and tools to complete the cruise control setup properly. One of the needed items is a signal generator, which your car may or may not possess. Consult the carmaker to verify the existence of this component if you're unsure.

Car mechanic doing a diagnosis of the cruise control

Finally, take the time and don't hurry with the installation. An improperly installed cruise control system may result in a system malfunction. It can then damage the vehicle and pose a high risk of injury to its driver and passengers. The engine should also be off while setting up the kit to prevent accidents while completing the task.

After finishing the preparations and preventive measures, here are the steps to help you install a cruise control kit on your car:

What You'll Need

  • Cruise control kit
  • Actuator assembly with harness
  • Mounting kit
  • Extension bracket
  • Snap-in adapter
  • Screwdriver [optional]

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Program the actuator assembly according to the cruise control's installation manual. You should see a chart that tells the actuator switches should be at the on or off positions.
  • Place the programmed actuator assembly into your preferred safe location in your vehicle. Ensure that the harness reaches the actuator from that place.
  • Measure the throttle travel from its idle to the wide-open position. Mark the starting and finishing points with a marker to serve as a guide.
  • Set the pulley segment to the open throttle position.
  • Slide the end of the barrel cable through the hole.
  • Connect the loop cable to the cable assembly. Use the bead chain connector if necessary.
  • Use an appropriately sized wrench with an accompanying nut. Turn the wrench and nut counter-clockwise to remove the sleeve from the cable assembly.
  • Screw the snap-in adapter to the cable assembly. Ensure that the assembly extends further than the adapter.
  • Attach the snap-in adapter to the square hole of the extension bracket.
  • Straighten the harness assembly by separating the 4-pin mating connectors. You may need a screwdriver for this step.
  • Pass the 4-pin connector and the accompanying violet wire through the appropriate hole.
  • Reattach the 4-pin mating connector and attach the other wires.
  • Seal the bulkhead hole with sealing putty, which should also be in the cruise control kit.
  • Connect the other wires with their color-coded adapters.
  • Install the lever assembly in your vehicle's driver panel as instructed by the kit's manual.
  • Run diagnostics to check if the aftermarket cruise control system works as intended.

cruise control in car adding

Check out this cruise control kit on Amazon.

You can also watch the video below to learn more details about this task:

What Cars Have Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise control [ACC] is a system that often uses sensory technology to apply the brakes and deliver warning signals to the driver if needed. Some vehicles that have this feature are:

  • 2018 Honda Accord
  • 2018 Toyota Rav4
  • 2019 Kia Soul
  • 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
  • 2020 Volvo S60

You might also be wondering if the Volvo V60 has adaptive cruise control. If so, you can read our post on that topic to satisfy your curiosity.

What Is The Disadvantage Of Cruise Control?

Cruise control is usually a benefit for many drivers. But users should pay attention to the correct scenarios to use this system. Some instances may demand drivers to rely more on their inherent skill than depending on the vehicle's automatic features to guide them while on the road.

So you should not use cruise control when:

The Road Is Slippery

A wet asphalt road due to heavy downpour

Snow and heavy rain can reduce the efficiency of cruise control systems. Take note that cruise controls often handle the acceleration and deceleration of a vehicle. That means that many of these apparatuses generally don't consider the wheels' traction on different terrain.

Traffic Is Heavy

It can be challenging to gauge the recommended speed to use in heavy or slow-moving traffic. If you find yourself in that situation, it's best to switch to manual controls rather than relying on the cruise control system to reduce the risks of on-road accidents.

Encounter Twisting Roads

Twisting and winding highway

Sharp turns can become more dangerous than usual if you put too much faith in your car's cruise control feature. It's in these driving conditions that you should manually regulate your speed.

You're Sleepy

It's always best not to take the wheel if you're feeling drowsy. However, if you need to drive and feel sleepy, relying on cruise control may make you feel more comfortable. If so, you might put yourself at a high risk of sleeping behind the wheel.

You can also read our post on when to use cruise control to learn more about the hazards of using this technology.

Final Words

Driver setting the cruise control setting

You can install aftermarket cruise controls in many vehicles that don't have these technologies. Make sure to follow the correct installation procedure to set up this system properly. Failure to complete a proper installation can result in vehicle damage and a high driver and passenger injury risk.

Related posts:

  • How To Remote Start Jeep Cherokee [Including Aftermarket]
  • Does Volvo V60 Have Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Does The Jaguar XF Have Adaptive Cruise Control?
  • Does GMC Yukon Have Adaptive Cruise Control?

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How to Install Aftermarket Cruise Control on Your Car (The Complete Guide)

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Installing an aftermarket cruise control can be a great way to add convenience and safety to your vehicle. It’s a relatively simple project that can be completed in a few hours, and it’s a great way to save money on a costly dealer-installed option.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of installing an aftermarket cruise control, step-by-step. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right kit for your vehicle to connecting the wires and testing your new cruise control. By the end of this article, you’ll be cruising down the road in comfort and style, thanks to your new aftermarket cruise control.

Cruise control is a convenient feature that allows you to maintain a set speed without having to constantly press on the accelerator pedal. It can be a great way to reduce fatigue on long road trips, and it can also help you save on gas. If your vehicle doesn’t come with factory-installed cruise control, you can easily install an aftermarket cruise control kit.

This guide will walk you through the process of installing an aftermarket cruise control kit on a typical passenger car. The steps may vary slightly depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but the general process is the same.

Tools and Materials

The following tools and materials are required for installing an aftermarket cruise control kit:

  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Torx head screwdriver
  • Wire cutters
  • Electrical tape

Optional tools:

  • Dremel tool

Preparation

Before you begin, make sure you have read the owner’s manual for your vehicle and that you understand the installation instructions for the aftermarket cruise control kit.

Park your vehicle in a safe location and set the parking brake.

Disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent any electrical shorts.

Locate the wiring harness for the cruise control system. This is usually located under the dash or in the engine bay.

Installation

Follow the installation instructions that came with your aftermarket cruise control kit. The general steps are as follows:

1. Remove the old cruise control switch, if necessary. 2. Install the new cruise control switch. 3. Connect the wiring harness for the cruise control system. 4. Test the cruise control system to make sure it is working properly.

Troubleshooting

If the cruise control system is not working properly, there are a few things you can check:

  • Make sure the wiring harness is connected properly.
  • Check the fuses for the cruise control system.
  • Check the throttle position sensor.
  • Check the cruise control module.

If you are unable to troubleshoot the problem yourself, you may need to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic.

Installing an aftermarket cruise control kit is a relatively straightforward process, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your vehicle. If you have any questions, consult with a qualified mechanic.

Here are some additional tips for installing an aftermarket cruise control kit:

  • Use quality tools and materials. This will help to ensure that the installation is done correctly and that the cruise control system works properly.
  • Take your time. Installing an aftermarket cruise control kit can take some time, so don’t rush the process.
  • Be careful not to damage any wires or components. The cruise control system is an important part of your vehicle, so be careful not to damage any wires or components during the installation process.
  • Test the cruise control system after installation. This will help to ensure that the system is working properly.

By following these tips, you can install an aftermarket cruise control kit on your vehicle with ease.

How To Install Aftermarket Cruise Control?

1. Gather the Required Tools and Materials

Before you begin installing your aftermarket cruise control, you will need to gather the following tools and materials:

  • A Phillips head screwdriver
  • A flathead screwdriver
  • A wire crimper
  • A soldering iron and solder
  • A set of jumper wires
  • A test light
  • A wiring diagram for your vehicle
  • The installation kit for your aftermarket cruise control

2. Prepare the Vehicle

The first step in installing your aftermarket cruise control is to prepare the vehicle. This involves disconnecting the negative battery terminal and removing the steering wheel.

To disconnect the negative battery terminal, locate the battery in the engine bay. The negative battery terminal is usually located at the bottom of the battery. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the bolt that secures the negative battery terminal to the battery. Once the bolt is loose, disconnect the negative battery terminal from the battery.

To remove the steering wheel, locate the steering wheel bolt. The steering wheel bolt is usually located in the center of the steering wheel. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the steering wheel bolt. Once the bolt is loose, you can remove the steering wheel.

The next step is to install the cruise control throttle pedal switch. The cruise control throttle pedal switch is a small switch that is installed on the throttle pedal. It is used to activate and deactivate the cruise control system.

To install the cruise control throttle pedal switch, follow these steps:

1. Locate the cruise control throttle pedal switch. The cruise control throttle pedal switch is usually located on the underside of the throttle pedal. 2. Remove the old cruise control throttle pedal switch. If there is an old cruise control throttle pedal switch installed, you will need to remove it before you can install the new one. To remove the old cruise control throttle pedal switch, use a flathead screwdriver to pry it off of the throttle pedal. 3. Install the new cruise control throttle pedal switch. To install the new cruise control throttle pedal switch, align the switch with the mounting holes on the throttle pedal. Then, use a Phillips head screwdriver to secure the switch in place.

The next step is to install the cruise control accelerator pedal switch. The cruise control accelerator pedal switch is a small switch that is installed on the accelerator pedal. It is used to increase and decrease the speed of the cruise control system.

To install the cruise control accelerator pedal switch, follow these steps:

1. Locate the cruise control accelerator pedal switch. The cruise control accelerator pedal switch is usually located on the underside of the accelerator pedal. 2. Remove the old cruise control accelerator pedal switch. If there is an old cruise control accelerator pedal switch installed, you will need to remove it before you can install the new one. To remove the old cruise control accelerator pedal switch, use a flathead screwdriver to pry it off of the accelerator pedal. 3. Install the new cruise control accelerator pedal switch. To install the new cruise control accelerator pedal switch, align the switch with the mounting holes on the accelerator pedal. Then, use a Phillips head screwdriver to secure the switch in place.

The next step is to install the cruise control control switch. The cruise control control switch is a small switch that is installed on the steering column. It is used to engage and disengage the cruise control system.

To install the cruise control control switch, follow these steps:

1. Locate the cruise control control switch. The cruise control control switch is usually located on the steering column. 2. Remove the old cruise control control switch. If there is an old cruise control control switch installed, you will need to remove it before you can install the new one. To remove the old cruise control control switch, use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws that secure it to the steering column. 3. Install the new cruise control control switch. To install the new cruise control control switch, align the switch with the mounting holes on the steering column. Then, use a Phillips head screwdriver to secure the switch in place.

The next step is to install the cruise control wiring harness. The cruise control wiring harness is a collection of wires that connect the cruise control system to the vehicle’s electrical system.

To install the cruise control wiring harness, follow these steps:

1. Locate the cruise control wiring harness. The cruise control wiring harness is usually located in the engine bay. 2. Connect the cruise control wiring harness

Q: What is an aftermarket cruise control?

A: An aftermarket cruise control is a device that can be installed in a vehicle that does not have factory-installed cruise control. It allows the driver to set a desired speed and the vehicle will maintain that speed without the driver having to keep their foot on the accelerator.

Q: What are the benefits of installing an aftermarket cruise control?

A: There are several benefits to installing an aftermarket cruise control, including:

  • Increased comfort: Cruise control allows the driver to relax and enjoy the ride, without having to constantly adjust the accelerator.
  • Reduced fatigue: By taking the stress of maintaining a constant speed off the driver, cruise control can help reduce fatigue on long road trips.
  • Improved safety: Cruise control can help the driver maintain a consistent speed, which can reduce the risk of accidents.

Q: What are the different types of aftermarket cruise controls?

A There are two main types of aftermarket cruise controls:

  • Proportional cruise control: This type of cruise control uses a potentiometer to measure the throttle position and adjust the engine speed accordingly.
  • Speed-sensing cruise control: This type of cruise control uses a speed sensor to measure the vehicle’s speed and adjust the engine speed accordingly.

Q: How do I install an aftermarket cruise control?

Installing an aftermarket cruise control can be a relatively simple task, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully. The installation process will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but the following steps are generally applicable:

1. Locate the cruise control wiring harness. The cruise control wiring harness is typically located under the dash or in the engine compartment. 2. Disconnect the battery negative terminal. This will prevent any electrical shorts during the installation process. 3. Install the cruise control control module. The control module is typically mounted to the firewall or under the dash. 4. Connect the cruise control wiring harness. The wiring harness will need to be connected to the vehicle’s electrical system. 5. Test the cruise control. Once the installation is complete, test the cruise control to make sure it is working properly.

Q: What are some common problems with aftermarket cruise controls?

Some common problems with aftermarket cruise controls include:

  • Inaccurate speed control: The cruise control may not maintain a constant speed, or it may speed up or slow down suddenly.
  • Erratic operation: The cruise control may engage or disengage suddenly, or it may not respond to the driver’s inputs.
  • Failure to disengage: The cruise control may not disengage when the driver presses the brake pedal.

If you experience any of these problems, it is important to have the cruise control serviced or repaired.

Q: How much does it cost to install an aftermarket cruise control?

The cost of installing an aftermarket cruise control will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the type of cruise control you choose. The average cost of installation is between $100 and $200.

Q: Where can I buy an aftermarket cruise control?

Aftermarket cruise controls can be purchased from a variety of sources, including online retailers, auto parts stores, and car dealerships.

Aftermarket cruise control is a great way to add convenience and safety to your vehicle. It can help you to maintain a steady speed on long road trips, and it can also reduce driver fatigue. Installing aftermarket cruise control is a relatively simple process, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully. In this article, we have outlined the steps involved in installing aftermarket cruise control. We have also provided tips on how to choose the right system for your vehicle and how to troubleshoot any problems that you may encounter. By following these steps, you can install aftermarket cruise control on your vehicle and enjoy all of the benefits that it has to offer.

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How to Install Cruise Control in Your Car

  • Written by Bipasha Bhatia on Jun 11, 2010 To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Reviewed by KC Morgan on Jul 07, 2023

A person's finger on the cruise control button in the car

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You may think that it is difficult to install cruise control into your car. However, it is not that difficult and you can install cruise control in under an hour. There are kits available that will contain everything you need to install an aftermarket cruise control. The vast majority of vehicles will already have cruise control or are ready for the installation of cruise control.

Step 1 - Unhook the Battery

car battery

As with anything connected to the power source, it is important to unhook the battery cable. You need to leave the battery unhooked for about 10 minutes so the power is released from the airbag system. You will need to position your key to the accessory power position so you can have the steering wheel unlock. If the power is off then most steering wheels will not turn. Turn the steering wheel enough so that one of the airbag screws is facing the floor.

Step 2 - Move the Airbag

Unscrew the bolts that secure the airbag and lift this away by about 6 inches. You will be restricted by the cables and wires that connect to the airbag. These connections are very important and you need to be careful you do not pull anything out. Unhook the airbag cable connection and be very careful as it contains a small amount of explosives.

Step 3 - Find the Cruise Control Connection

Inside the wheel should be a white connector that is for the cruise control. This is normally close to the horn mechanism. If you are having difficulties finding the cable, then check with your vehicle manual. You may also need to cut through some mounting hardware in order to place the cruise control switch. This will depend on the vehicle. Attach all the wires.

Step 4 - Mount the Switch

It is very important that the switch is mounted securely. You will have brackets and several mounting screws. Once this is mounted you can reattach the airbag and place it back in the steering wheel . Tighten the bolts and if you have a master switch you can install this near the steering column.

Step 5 - Install a Cruise Control Computer

Cruise control switch

If your car needs a new system or is not cruise control ready, then you will also need to install the cruise control computer. Normally this is near the driver’s side kick panel, though the location can vary depending on the vehicle. Most cars will have studs where the computer smoothly fits over. There is normally a harness specifically for the computer.

Step 6 - Add Other Parts as Needed

You may also need a sub-zero unit and an additional switch. This is normally by the engine bay and is held in place using three bolts. You also may need a cruise actuator and additional cruise switches. It is best to determine which parts you need first to ensure you have everything you need for the cruise control.

Step 7 - Calibrating the Computer

Setting the program for the computer is fairly complicated. Particularly for those that do not understand programming. You may be able to get the manufacturer to calibrate the computer. There are many online guides that can provide you with the details you need to calibrate the computer properly.

Install Cruise Control FAQ

What's the point of cruise control.

Cruise control allows you to set the speed of your car to a certain MPH so you can take your foot off the pedal. This makes it much more comfortable to drive for an extended amount of time over long distances.

In addition to making it easier to drive for a long time, cruise control is more fuel-efficient. Whether you're trying to or not, you will make minor changes to your speed as you drive along with your foot on the pedal because as a human, your foot will perform small movements that cause speeds to fluctuate.

Can you install cruise control yourself?

You can not only install cruise control on your own, this is a relatively easy DIY project to complete. There are cruise control kits available that make it fairly simple to add cruise control to your vehicle.

Can you install cruise control after market?

There are hundreds of after market cruise control kits available for many car makes and models. You can install most of these kits within a couple of hours using standard hand tools.

Do I really need cruise control?

If you do a lot of driving over long distances, cruise control can save you a lot on fuel costs and foot pain. The savings in fuel costs alone makes it worthwhile to have cruise control, but it is only useful if you do a lot of long distance driving.

What are disadvantages of cruise control in a car?

Cruise control has a lot of benefits and there are a lot of things to like about having this feature. However, cruise control does have a downside.

Crise control can slow down your reaction time and make it more difficult to slow down quickly, something you might need to do for safety's sake if something happens on the road ahead of you. It is more difficult to drive in foul weather with cruise control, increasing your risk of accidents in icy or wet conditions.

It is also easier to get distracted or sleepy while driving with cruise control, because you may stop being quite as alert when your foot and hands are not fully engaged in driving at all times.

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Adding Aftermarket Cruise Control Is Easier Than You Think

cruise control in car adding

If you’re an auto enthusiast, you probably take pleasure in the response from stomping the gas pedal. But c’mon folks, we can also admit that a long highway trip is more pleasant with cruise control. Set a constant speed, lift your foot, and let the car glide down the pike.

But what if your vehicle didn’t come with cruise control? No worries. There are plenty of aftermarket kits to add cruise control to your ride. If you have some basic skills, this DIY upgrade can happen in an hour or two.

Shop now for cruise control kits

eBay Motors offers hundreds of aftermarket cruise control kits and related parts. But before you make a purchase, answer these questions:

  • Is the aftermarket cruise control kit compatible with your car?
  • Are your brake lights working properly?
  • Are you comfortable working on your car’s electrical wiring and throttle settings?

An installation kit should be designed specifically for your vehicle and include all the necessary gear.

An eBay search could turn up a usable original New Old Stock (NOS) kit from the carmaker.

If you answered yes (or you’re willing to learn), then cruise control might be coming soon to your vehicle. And if you think this is beyond your skill set, most auto shops can install a kit for you.

Watch the installation of a Rostra cruise control system in a Hyundai Accent:

Tips for Installing Aftermarket Cruise Control

Here’s a quick overview of the primary components. Kits will provide detailed instructions. First things first: safety! Before starting to work on your car’s electrical system, disconnect the battery.

Wiring harness: Most kits come with a wiring harness, complete with colored wires. Instructions will guide you to wire the hot and cold sides of your brake switch. Other wires connect to the ignition “run” contact and ground. A significant step is to splice into a Vehicle Speed Signal (VSS) wire. Most cars of the past 20 years have a VSS. If not, there are adapter kits to create a signal generator or use a pick-up coil to create a similar signal.

Kits often integrate with a drive-by-wire system.

Kits often integrate with a drive-by-wire system.

Throttle cable: Attach the cable provided in the kit to the existing throttle plate of your car’s engine. Most kits also have sufficient adapters and linkages to fit a variety of throttles. Verify that the cable is not binding on anything under the hood. Aftermarket cruise control kits can also accommodate newer engines that drive by wire—and don’t have an old-school cable to control engine RPMs.

Actuator: The actuator is a mechanical box that controls your car’s cruising function. It is mounted in the engine compartment and has connectors for the wiring harness and throttle cable. It also has several DIP (dual inline package) switches. Moving specific DIP switches up or down allows the cruise control unit to communicate with essential vehicle functions. The settings include the number of engine cylinders, the type of speed sensor, and its output. To save the new settings, power off the actuator and then restore power.

A dash-mounted controller activates cruise control.

A cruise control switch integrates with the turn signal lever.

Driver switch: Many cruise control systems offer a switch on your turn signal stalk that looks like a factory installation. Others provide buttons on a dash-mounted plate. We recommend the turn signal switch, which has a cleaner look and helps keep your eyes on the road.

Testing Required

Kits are designed for specifically vehicles and provide all the necessary gear.

Kits are designed for specifically vehicles and provide all the necessary gear.

After completing all the steps stipulated in the kit instructions:

  • Re-connect the battery.
  • Check to verify that your brake lights still function correctly.
  • Start the engine, leave it in Park, and mildly depress the gas pedal.
  • Make sure that it returns to a slow idle setting.

A dash-mounted controller activates cruise control.

A dash-mounted controller activates cruise control.

If the brake lights and idle are working as expected, it’s time to take the car to a deserted parking lot. Next, accelerate to a moderate speed, set the cruise control, and see if the speed is maintained with your foot off the gas pedal. Finally, touch the brake pedal and verify that the cruise control disengages.

If everything is working, your car should be ready for further testing on the highway. It’s a good idea to take several short, local highway trips to verify a successful installation before heading off on a long interstate journey.

While aftermarket cruise control is available to hands-on DIYers, that’s not yet mainstream for so-called adaptive cruise control. But automated road sensing and even lane-keeping is probably not far off. For example, an aftermarket self-driving kit from Comma.ai is usually available on eBay .

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About the Author

Mark C. Bach has oil in his veins and remembers feeler gauges and brake springs. He has a love for all things that move, especially old-school muscle cars. Bach writes for a variety of outlets, including Chevy Classics and FuelCurve.com, and maintains Route66pubco.com.

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Guide to Adaptive Cruise Control

How this convenience feature works to reduce your stress on long drives

Illustration of a car safety system

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is like traditional cruise control, but smarter. ACC systems allow you to set a desired speed until your vehicle encounters slower-moving traffic. Then it will brake to maintain a set distance from the car ahead. Once the traffic starts moving again or if there is no longer a car in the lane ahead, ACC will accelerate to resume the previous set speed. Although ACC systems may take some getting used to, our survey respondents told us they appreciated the stress relief the feature brings.

“I use the feature mostly on the freeway and in stop-and-go traffic. I find it reduces tension and fatigue,” wrote a 2020 Subaru Outback owner. A 2018 Audi Q5 driver agreed. “It is so nice to just set it and let the car worry about the traffic,” they told CR.

The systems use lasers, radar, cameras, or a combination of those. If traffic slows to a stop, most ACC systems will bring the car to a complete stop, then bring it back up to speed when traffic gets going again. Others work only within certain speeds and/or might not start to accelerate automatically.

Adaptive cruise control (ACC): Cruise control that also assists with acceleration and/or braking to maintain a driver-selected gap to the vehicle in front. Some systems can come to a stop and continue while others cannot. If the car comes to a full stop, you may have to press the accelerator or a button on the steering wheel to start moving again.

Not all systems work at low speeds, so drivers who plan to use ACC in slow traffic should check the limitations of any system they plan to buy. These particular systems will often have the words “traffic jam” or “stop and go” in their name.

These features are usually activated using a button on the steering wheel with the image of a car next to a speedometer with an arrow pointing at it. A conventional cruise control system does not automatically keep a set distance away from the car in front, and it is indicated by a similar logo without the car next to the speedometer. A tip to know if your car has adaptive cruise control or regular cruise control is to look for the “gap distance” button, which usually shows a symbol of a car with horizontal distance bars in front. This button will determine how much space your car leaves between its front bumper and the rear of the car it is following.

In our most recent survey, we asked CR members to rate their experiences with the advanced safety and driver assistance systems on their model-year 2017 to 2022 cars. Respondents answered questions about their satisfaction with the systems. The survey covered about 47,000 vehicles. Most respondents told us they were “very satisfied” with ACC. Satisfaction was higher for older drivers.

OVERALL SATISFACTION

What to Look For in an Adaptive Cruise Control System

Every ACC system works slightly differently, says Kelly Funkhouser, manager for vehicle technology at CR. Some do a better job than others at recognizing merging traffic and automatically apply the brakes, while others wait too long to slow your car, requiring the driver to take control—especially when a vehicle in front of you cuts you off with a close merge.

“Most ACC systems can only be set to speeds above 20 mph but will slow the vehicle to speeds below that in stop-and-go traffic,” she says. “There are a few systems out there that don’t bring the car all the way to a stop but instead just shut off at low speeds. That can be dangerous when you’re traveling behind another slowing vehicle.” She recommends reading the automaker’s website closely and learning about the speed ranges before using ACC while on your test drive.

ACC is meant for convenience, not as a replacement for an alert driver, Funkhouser says. So don’t use adaptive cruise control as an excuse to get distracted. “Just because the car is controlling your speed doesn’t mean that you can check out,” she says. “These systems do not do well at detecting or slowing for vehicles ahead if you approach them at a high rate of speed. The driver should always be monitoring the surrounding traffic and looking ahead for potential hazards.”

Keith Barry

Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University. Follow him on Twitter @itskeithbarry .

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Can You Add Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to a Vehicle?

By: Author Zach Reed

Can You Add Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to a Vehicle?

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an excellent feature that is now offered as standard on many newer vehicles. 

The system uses radar to watch the traffic ahead and will automatically keep pace with the vehicle in front of you. 

Some systems can work at speeds as high as 60 mph, but most are limited to speeds between 20 to 25 mph. 

One question you might have is whether you can add ACC aftermarket to a vehicle that did not already have it installed.

It is technically possible to add adaptive cruise control (ACC) to any car, but there may need to be other modifications to accommodate the system. If ACC is an option on your make and model of vehicle, it will be simpler to add it on later since the vehicle was already designed to support ACC.

Adaptive cruise control goes by several different names. 

It is sometimes called autonomous cruise control, dynamic cruise control, active cruise control, radar cruise control, and intelligent cruise control. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the system works just as well by day or night, but situations such as snow , heavy rain, or fog can hamper its ability to judge distances accurately. 

This type of system is expected to be an important element of self-driving cars in the future.

This system allows you to set a distance from the car in front of you and let the car do the braking and acceleration. 

It is much like a standard cruise control where you set the distance and then allow the car to do the rest. 

It is an excellent way to avoid fatigue in stop-and-go traffic.

cruise control in car adding

How Much Does It Cost to Add Adaptive Cruise Control?

The cost of the ACC system itself ranges from about $2,000 to $2,500. This is for a top-of-the-line system that can work at speeds ranging from 60 mph to a full stop. 

Many systems are available for as little as $500, but many of these are limited to speeds of around 20 to 25 mph. 

These prices reflect the cost of the ACC unit itself and do not include labor.

Labor rates range from $47-$215 per hour, according to AAA. Installing adaptive cruise control is a specialized skill, and you can expect to pay on the higher end of the scale for labor. 

One thing that affects the cost of installing an adaptive cruise control is whether the car was designed to have one as an option or whether you have to install all of the required components in addition to the ACC system.

The overall cost to install an aftermarket adaptive cruise control depends on the make and model of the vehicle. 

Some models require a special kit that will only fit that vehicle. 

This can affect the cost of the parts and labor. 

It is much cheaper to put adaptive cruise control on a model that already offered it as an option than to do the work to install it on one that did not.

How Do I Change From Regular Cruise Control to Adaptive Cruise Control?

There are several different types of adaptive cruise control systems available. 

One is a small radar unit located just behind the front grille or in front of the bumper. Some systems use a laser system . 

Other systems use a system of stereoscopic cameras . The type of system you choose will determine how to change from standard cruise control to ACC.

Some models have kits that you can install according to the manufacturer’s directions. 

In other cases, you will need to do considerable modification to the grille and bumper to accommodate the system. You also might have to modify the electrical system and other key components of the vehicle.

Some modifications require the installation of a special bracket under the bumper. Each retrofit job is different and requires a different level of modification.

When it comes to installing ACC, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

If you are installing a kit on a car that already offers it as an option, it can usually be done with little mechanical skill and knowledge other than following the directions. 

Many times, the holes will already be pre-drilled, and all you have to do is to put the system in place and plug it into the wiring harness.

Installing the unit on a car that was produced before when it was offered as an option can require an advanced level of mechanical skill to do all of the necessary modifications. 

It might require special tools or knowledge of welding and bodywork. In this case, it might be worth the expense of investing in the skill of a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about adaptive cruise control.

Can You Add Adaptive Cruise Control to a Ram 1500?

Ram added adaptive cruise control to the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 in 2019. If your truck is a year before this one, you might have to do considerable modifications to the standard Ram grille design to install it.

Can You Add Adaptive Cruise Control to a Jeep?

Jeep was one of the first to add ACC to its vehicles with Grand Cherokees 2012 and newer. They added it to the Limited and TrailHawk models of the Cherokee in 2014, and they added it to the Wrangler in 2018. All other models before these will need to be modified to add it.

Can You Add Adaptive Cruise Control to a BMW?

BMW is a luxury brand that added adaptive cruise control to the BMW 3 and 5 series in 2007.  They added it to the 7 series in 2009, the X5 in 2011, and the excl Diesel in 2014. They also added it to the i3 and X3 in 2014. This makes ACC easier to install on many popular BMW models because they were already designed for it.

Adaptive cruise control is a nice thing to have in heavy traffic. It is possible to install ACC on any vehicle, but the question is one of how much work it will be and the cost. 

It is much easier and cheaper to install it as an aftermarket component on models designed for it in the first place.

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cruise control in car adding

Can Adaptive Cruise Control Be Added Aftermarket?

In the last few years, adaptive cruise control has become a standard feature in almost new vehicles today. Compared to yesteryear,  when the feature was only found in luxury car models due to its high production cost.

Still, not all cars come with a factory-installed cruise control module. Fortunately, less expensive aftermarket adaptive cruise control kits are readily available.

So, what does it take to add adaptive cruise control to an old car?

What is adaptive cruise control, and how does it work?

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an active safety system that automatically controls acceleration and braking. It is activated through a button on the steering wheel and canceled once the driver brakes or presses a button.

Adaptive cruise control enables a safe and comfortable driving experience by monitoring other vehicles and objects on the road. This helps the driver keep a steady vehicle speed at a given moment.

You can choose certain factors, such as the distance to the car in front, driving mode –economic, sporty, or comfortable – and others. Then, with information about speed limits, road curvature, accidents data, and more, these choices influence the automatically selected speed.

Is Aftermarket Adaptive Cruise Control Possible

You could retrofit aftermarket cruise control to any vehicle. However, it is a very complex process since it involves installing multiple sensors and actuators before programming them to automatically vary vehicle speed.

Adaptive cruise control is different from regular cruise control because it can accelerate or decelerate to match traffic speed.

An aftermarket system will need a sensor to monitor the car ahead and the right programming to translate this into smooth acceleration or braking.

A failure in the system could cause a collision. This added complexity compare to simple cruise control has made installing aftermarket adaptive cruise control less common.

Stick to aftermarket regular cruise control and control the top speed and braking manually. If you must get adaptive cruise control, consider buying a vehicle with the system installed.

Can Cruise Control Be Added Aftermarket?

Yes. It is possible to add cruise control to vehicles that are not already equipped. However, the ability to install CC in your car will depend on whether or not your car was designed to support it or if you would need to install all of the additional required components.

Depending on your vehicle, a complete cruise control system might be available that includes all the required switches and sensors. If you own an older vehicle, universal cruise control kits are also available.

However, you will need additional components to make the cruise control work seamlessly in your car. These include; a new ABS pump, steering wheel buttons, possible wring, ACC sensor, ACC mounting bracket, lower grille insert, driver assistance switch block, and a custom wiring harness (or a DIY wiring harness).

Is installing adaptive cruise control worth it?

It depends on you. Retrofitting adaptive cruise control in your car has advantages and disadvantages. Although adaptive cruise control does much to alleviate the driver’s work behind the wheel, it does not make a car self-driving. The driver must remain alert and in control in case of any unexpected conditions on the road.

An ACC system may also not work properly in certain weather conditions like heavy rain or fog, if there is mud or snow on the sensors, or if roads are slippery. They may also not function properly in tunnels.

However, the Adaptive Cruise Control system helps save on gas by sensing changes in traffic speed and adjusting your vehicle’s speed accordingly, which saves you gas in the long run. So at the end of the day, it is up to you to decide whether to add adaptive cruise control or not.

Best aftermarket cruise control kits of 2022

These are the best aftermarket adaptive cruise control options in the market currently;

Rostra 250-9636 Cruise Control Kit For Full Size Ford Transit

This kit features a coast function that allows you to reduce/reset cruise speed. Additionally, the system can be disabled in three ways: tap brakes/depress the clutch and switch the engine off.

The Set function locks in a predetermined speed with the touch of a button. The Accel function creates an acceleration, and speed is maintained once released. The newer design can read VSS pulses up to 38,600.

And it’s completely electronic and does not require a source of vacuum to operate. It is easier to install since a vacuum connection is not required, but professional installation is recommended.

  • Capabilities: Set, Accel, Coast, Resume, and Disengage
  • Compatible with automatic transmission and manual transmission vehicles
  • VSS compatible; – Completely electronic servo requires no source of vacuum to operate
  • Increases gas mileage and fuel economy
  • Reduces vehicle wear
  • It prevents unintentional speeding and driving fatigue
  • Same functionality as OEM systems
  • It does not work on drive-by-wire equipped vehicles

Complete Cruise Control Kit for Nissan Sentra

The Rostra Cruise control kit is designed to add a cruise control system to those vehicles which did not come with one from the factory. You can set your desired speed by using the Rostra Cruise control switch steering column-mounted once you set your speed.

The Rostra Cruise control kit measures engine load and vehicle speed; to ensure your car stays cruising at the desired speed. You can slow down or accelerate your cruise by using this switch for ease of use.

  • Vehicle-specific application for the 2007-2013 Nissan Sentra
  • Tap up/tap down (1 mph per tap)
  • Coast/reduce speed
  • Resume/accelerate
  • Controlled resume rate.
  • 3 year/ 36,000-mile warranty
  • Installation instructions included
  • Technical assistance after the sale
  • Requires additional components

Rostra 250-9612 Ford Focus S/SE 2012 Electronic Cruise Control Kit 12

The Rostra Cruise Control kit is designed to add a cruise control system to those vehicles which did not come with one from the factory. You can set your desired speed by using the Rostra cruise control switch that is steering column-mounted.

Once you set your speed, the cruise control kit will measure the engine load and vehicle speed to ensure your car stays cruising at the desired speed. 

You can slow down or accelerate your cruise by using this switch for ease of use. The cruise controls feature set speed, tap up/tap down (1 mph per tap), coast/reduce speed, resume/accelerate, and controlled resume rate.

Rostra has been manufacturing these cruise control units for years and is an ISO9001-certified company that has proven to be one of the largest manufacturers of cruise controls in the United States.

  • Slow down or accelerate without the pedal
  • Includes full color illustrated installation manual
  • Fits both manual and automatic transmission Focus S and Focus SE
  • Built-in an ISO9001 Quality Certified facility
  • Save fuel and increase safety with this aftermarket cruise control kit
  • The cruise switch installs on the plastic shroud that surrounds the steering column on the left-hand side
  • Provides the function, quality, and reliability of the original equipment part
  • Step by step installation instructions are included, but professional installation is recommended
  • Not easy to install

Note: Before you purchase, ensure the aftermarket cruise control kit is compatible with your car. You should also ensure your brake lights are working properly. They are key in letting you know if you have installed the aftermarket adaptive cruise control correctly. For best results, try to find a Universal cruise control kit.

Will aftermarket adaptive cruise control ruin my vehicle?

If used properly, it is not bad for your car. It can even reduce wear and tear on the engine/transmission and improve fuel efficiency by reducing instances of rapid acceleration. However, it can be harmful if used with a manual transmission or in certain adverse conditions.

When can you Use Adaptive Cruise Control?

You can safely use cruise control in a handful of scenarios when the weather is ideal and the road is straight. However, please do not use it during stormy conditions or when your travel involves unpredictable road conditions.

Adaptive cruise control is usually ideal when:

  • You’re traveling in favorable weather conditions.
  • The road is manageably straight and at a level elevation.
  • Traffic is minimal.
  • You are alert and can still handle the vehicle.

You should not use Adaptive cruise control when:

  • Weather conditions are severe.
  • There is snow or ice on the road.
  • You feel too tired to drive safely.
  • There are road hazards or a lot of traffic.
  • The road changes elevation or direction often.

How much does it cost to add adaptive cruise control?

If you want to modify a car with cruise control with all available features of factory-installed cruise control, be prepared to pay between $2000 and $2500. If you are looking for minimal cruise control that would benefit speeds of up to 20-25 miles per hour, these more basic ACCs can cost as low as $500.

Check this too: Ford Cruise Control Troubleshooting & How-To Guide

Is Aftermarket cruise control safe?

Aftermarket cruise control kits won’t be the same as a factory-installed cruise control system. They may provide some cruise control features as the factory-installed ones, but they tend to be quite basic in most cases. Try to get an aftermarket cruise control kit from a certified manufacturer or a renowned car brand kit.

Holiday Notice: Rostra’s offices will be closed Monday, December 25th and Tuesday, December 26th. We will re-open Wednesday, Dec. 27th..

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  • Add-On Cruise Control Systems

Universal Cruise Control System by Rostra

Set your speed at the touch of a button! Once selected, a Global Cruise ® cruise control system constantly measures changes in engine loading and vehicle speed in order to maintain a set speed on the highway. Easily set the controls and avoid unintended speeding. To slow down or accelerate, you don't even have to touch the pedal. While column-mounted stalk-style control switches are available, dashboard surface-mount control switches provide the same functionality wherever it's most convenient!

Multiple control switch options!

Rostra's cruise control switches have been designed with the highest level of quality and have been tested and validated for use with the 250-1223 universal cruise control system. Please note that we do not recommend using any other brand of cruise control switch with a Rostra Global Cruise system as doing so may result in unintended cruise control operation, and invalidates any warranty provided with your cruise control system.

Rostra Cruise Controls are manufactured in the U.S.A. by the company that pioneered the development of cruise control technology.

Product Features

Designed to work with any vehicle incorporating the use of a mechanically-operated throttle, a Rostra Universal Cruise offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to adding a cruise control system to your vehicle. Whether you're restoring a classic hot-rod, prepping the family minivan for holiday traveling or looking to save on the cost of fuel for your motorhome, a universal cruise control from Rostra is the only way to go!

  • Improved Operation
  • Coast/Reduce Speed
  • Resume/ Accelerate
  • Tap-Up, 1 MPH per tap
  • Tap-Down, 1 MPH per tap
  • Controlled Resume Rate
  • Closer, More Accurate Control of Set Speed
  • Enhanced Adaptability
  • Works with 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 Cylinders
  • Select ECM, AC Generator, Magnets, or Pulse Sender as VSS *
  • Select Square or Sine Wave Speed Signal Source
  • Select Acceleration Rate
  • Select Gain Control
  • Select Manual or Automatic Transmission
  • Select Open Circuit or Closed Circuit Engagement Switches
  • Enhanced Features
  • Modular Design
  • Removable Wiring Harness with Locking Device
  • Redesigned Water Sealing
  • Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) Compatible
  • Cruise Engaged Output (Ground Signal When Engaged)
  • Self Diagnostic
  • Easier Installation
  • No Vacuum Required
  • Smaller Module
  • New Connectors with Positive Contact and Lock
  • No Clutch Switch Needed (except Diesel)
  • VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) Wire Already in Harness
  • Compatible with Neutral Safety
  • Compatible with Distributor-less Ignition Systems
  • Compatible with Direct Fire Ignition Systems

* Rostra Global Cruise will not accept input from a tachometer to provide a vehicle speed signal.

Selecting Global Cruise Components for Installation

The Rostra Global Cruise universal cruise control system is designed to adapt to almost all automobiles that use a mechanically-operated throttle control system where an accelerator cable is present. Please use the Vehicle Search at the top of this page to find your specific vehicle listing, or use the guidelines below to select a cruise control system for your hot rod or street car custom vehicle build.

Step 1: Global Cruise Selection Part Number: 250-1223

Part number 250-1223 (photos below) includes the universal Global Cruise servo motor, throttle cable, universal mounting brackets, wiring harness and hardware package for making electrical and throttle control connections. The servo motor mounts in the vehicle's engine bay.

Step 2: Control Switch Selection Part Number: Various

At Rostra, we currently offer 15 different control switch options for engaging the Global Cruise system while driving. Click here to select a universal or specific control switch for your vehicle. Any cruise control switch from Rostra will adapt to the Global Cruise system.

Step 3: Providing Vehicle Speed Signal Part Number: Various

The Global Cruise system can adapt to pre-existing VSS input signals between 2,000 and 38,600 Pulses Per Mile (PPM). We also offer the 250-4165 magnetic VSS generator for speedometer cable-equipped vehicles, and the inline 250-4160 for early General Motors transmissions.

Step 4: Speed Signal Divider Part Number: Various

While many vehicles provide an electronic vehicle speed signal that the Global Cruise system can use to determine highway speed, in some instances this signal is out of range and needs to be reduced to be safely interpreted. In cases such as this, Rostra offers part numbers 250-4369 and 250-4379 to reduce the onboard VSS by 50% and 75%, respectively. Once the out-of-range signal has been reduced, the built-in programming switches on the cruise control servo can be dialed-in for the appropriate speed setting and smooth highway driving.

Step 5: Clutch Disengagement Switch Part Number: 250-4206 (M/T Only)

Modern vehicles that are equipped with a manual transmission generally include a clutch disengagement switch to provide a neutral safety signal to the vehicle's onboard computer, or provide a usable tachometer signal to detect excessive engine revs. Installation forms 4428 and 4429 can help determine if these signals are presently available on your vehicle. The Global Cruise system can adapt to these devices to disengage itself when the clutch pedal is depressed, or Rostra's 250-4206 can be installed to provide this important safety feature when no NSS information is available.

Step 6: Brake Pedal Signals Part Number: 250-4382

While the included primary wiring harness of the Global Cruise system includes wire leads meant to be attached to both the 'hot' and 'cold' sides of the brake pedal sensor to disengage the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed, the proper ground signal is no longer present when a vehicle has been outfitted with LED lighting accessories such as LED brake lights. In a case like this, a 5-prong automotive relay must be used to provide the ground signal to cancel the cruise control once engaged. This relay and component wiring harness are available as part number 250-4382 .

Step 7: Purchasing a Global Cruise System

Global Cruise universal cruise control systems and associated adapters are sold through authorized product distributors throughout The United States and Canada, as well as through select international distributors in countries around the world. For purchasing information, or to locate a local retailer or installation facility, please contact us online or call our customer service department by dialing (800) 782-3379, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST. To learn more about Rostra and our cruise control manufacturing facilities located in Orlando, FL, please click here .

Global Cruise Photos and Installation Instructions

Universal cruise control 250-1223 by Rostra

Click image to enlarge...

Installation Manuals

Universal Aftermarket Electronic Cruise Control Application and Installation Manual

Universal Aftermarket Cruise Control Service Parts

Global Cruise Hardware

Rostra 250-2214 Global Cruise Mounting Hardware

Cruise Control Module

Rostra 250-2316 Global Cruise Control Module

Cruise Harness Assembly

Rostra 250-2317 Global Cruise Wire Harness Assembly

43" Cruise Cable Assembly

250-3607 43-inch Cruise Cable Assembly

Cable Bracket Assembly

Rostra 250-3700 Cable Bracket Assembly

Global Cruise Accessories and Service Parts

Replacement Magnets, 10-pack

Rostra 250-3093 Replacement Magnets, 10-pack

Magnet Package with Tie Strap

Rostra 250-3096 Magnet Package with Tie Strap

Replacement Clutch Switch

Rostra 250-3372 Replacement Clutch Switch

Reservoir (No longer available)

Rostra 250-3417 Vacuum Reservoir - Small

Speed Signal Generator

Rostra 250-4153 Speed Signal Generator with Extension Cable

Form #59A-02361G

Rostra 250-4160 Speed Signal Generator

T-Bar Adaptor

Rostra 250-4184 T-Bar Adaptor

Clutch Disengagement Switch

Rostra 250-4160 Universal Clutch Disengagement Switch

VSS Divider (Divide By 2)

Rostra 250-4369 VSS Divider (Divide By 2)

VSS Divider (Divide By 4)

Rostra 250-4379 VSS Divider (Divide By 4)

Relay Package

Rostra 250-4382 Relay Package

Frequently Asked Questions

Global cruise application.

Q: Can I install Rostra's Global Cruise system on a motorcycle or ATV?

A: At Rostra, we love seeing the inventive ways in which our customers apply products that we manufacture to a variety applications. But, while a number of online forums exist that detail the multitude of installation options for our products on non-passenger vehicle modes of transportation, due to safety concerns surrounding these installations, we do not actively support these applications. Our technical support is provided through extensive real-world testing that at this time does not include working with said vehicles.

Q: When installing Rostra's Global Cruise system, can I mount the cruise control servo motor to the vehicle's engine?

A: When selecting a mounting location for your Global Cruise servo motor, it is best to take into consideration the deteriorating effects heat and vibration have on all vehicle electronics. Because of the amount of heat generated by a vehicle's engine and exhaust manifolds, we recommend mounting the Global Cruise servo motor as far from these two as possible as heat and vibration damage to the motor can result in our standard 3-year/36,000 mile warranty being voided. For a list of places that we do not recommend, please see below:

  • Underneath the vehicle's fender exposed to the elements
  • Underneath the vehicle itself exposed to road debris
  • Directly to the vehicle's engine with heat and vibration
  • In any location with the cable points towards the ground
  • Near sharp, hot, or moving objects (pulleys, CV shafts, etc...)
  • Near the vehicle's ignition coil (no closer than 10" (255mm)
  • Within the passenger compartment (see Q/A below)
  • Where it will interfere with vehicle maintenance/service checks.

Q: Can I permanently mount Rostra's Global Cruise servo motor on the inside of my vehicle?

A: The short answer - Yes, this is a possibility. While mounting the Global Cruise servo motor within the passenger cabin is certainly an option, installers are warned that the motor itself makes a fair amount of noise as it pulls the vehicle's throttle back and forth to maintain highway speeds. While hot rod owners may never notice the sound of the motor, more modern vehicles that include ample sound dampening from road noise likely will.

Q: The throttle cable attached to Rostra's Global Cruise servo motor is too long for my application. Can I cut it?

A: No. Cutting the throttle cable attached to the Global Cruise servo motor due to its length is highly inadvisable as it can directly impact the throttle cable's ability to move freely into and out of the servo motor. Instead, the servo motor can be mounted in such a way that the cable can be looped to create a shorter distance. Please note that this loop must have greater than a 6-inch diameter.

Q: Do I need to connect the Dark Blue Tachometer (TACH) or Light Green Neutral Safety (NSS) wires from the Global Cruise system's main wiring harness for cruise control operation?

A: While neither the Tachometer Signal wire (for manual transmission vehicles) or Neutral Safety wire (for automatic transmission vehicles) need to be connected for cruise control operation, we highly advise that they are as they provide over-rev protection by disengaging the cruise control system in situations where the engine could be accidentally "knocked" into neutral while driving (NSS/automatic transmission), or when the clutch pedal is depressed (TACH/manual transmission).

Global Cruise Accessories

Q: My vehicle is not equipped with an electronic vehicle speed sensor (VSS). Can I still install Rostra's Global Cruise system?

A: Absolutely! The Global Cruise provides an incredibly dynamic way of controlling speed on vehicles equipped with a mechanically-operated throttle - whether or not they include a pre-existing and/or usable VSS. For vehicles that fall into this category, we manufacture a number of speed signal generators that tell our cruise control how fast your vehicle is moving so that it can effectively hold the speed for you. For Chrysler/Mopar and Chevrolet vehicles manufactured anywhere from the early 1950's to late 1980's (when electronic VSS became standard), we offer part number 250-4160 - a device that is installed between the transmission and speedometer cable to generate a usable speed signal. For vehicles where underbody space is an issue and the transmission rests closely to a crossmember or the vehicle's body, we also offer the same equipment with a speedometer cable extension as part number 250-4153 . For Ford and all other vehicle makes, we offer part number 250-4165 - a sensor that attaches to the vehicle's body and a package of magnets that attach to the vehicle's driveshaft or CV shaft. When the shaft spins and the magnet(s) pass by the sensor, a speed signal is generated.

Rostra cruise control systems are only validated on vehicles available in the United States and Canada.

For the best in driving experience, choose a cruise control from Rostra, the leader in cruise control technology. Contact us today for purchasing information.

Rostra is a leading manufacturer of automotive comfort, safety, and convenience accessories including electronic cruise control systems, vehicle speed limiters, backup camera relocation kits, LED lighting, exterior vehicle camera systems, automotive lumbar supports and seat heaters, driver alert systems, and more.

Rostra: 2351 J. Lawson Blvd. Orlando, FL, 32824

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" Just what I needed for my 1962 Thunderbird! Before installing this, I would get leg cramps holding the throttle constant while cruising, I swear the throttle return spring was originally a bed spring. Installed this beauty before taking my trip down RT 66 in 2015. Finally, 7500 miles in comfort! "

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250-1223 Universal Electronic Cruise Control

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Adding Adaptive Cruise Control F150: Step-By-Step Guide

Adaptive Cruise Control is your ticket to hassle-free driving. This intelligent cruise control system takes charge of your speed, maintaining a safe gap between you and the vehicle ahead.

For those who want to give it a go, I’ve provided a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough to add Adaptive Cruise Control to their F150 in this guide.

Can You Add Aftermarket Adaptive Cruise Control Be To Ford F-150?

Yes, aftermarket adaptive cruise control can be added to your F150 but it’s a bit complex. It involves installing sensors, a specialized bumper cover, and a processing module.

This process can be expensive, and there’s a risk related to your F150’s VIN when dealing with the dealership, potentially leading to unintended software changes. Due to these challenges, it’s not the most practical option.

Step-By-Step Process Of Adding Adaptive Cruise Control In F150

Now, let’s get right to the process of installing Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to your F150.

These are the tools you’ll need:

  • Ratchet Set
  • e-Torque Socket Set
  • Upholstery Tool Remover (Claw Type)
  • Small Flat Screwdriver
  • Combination Square
  • Magnet Retrieval Tool (if necessary)
  • Sharpie or Marking Pencil (for marking black steel)
  • Small Torx Driver Set
  • Ramps (optional for more clearance when working underneath)
  • Torque Wrench

Step 1: Disconnect the Battery

As always, safety comes first. Disconnect your truck’s battery to ensure you’re working in a safe environment.

Step 2: Install The HUD Module

Using a small screwdriver or trim removal tool, gently pop out the blank plate where the HUD module will be installed. Attach the HUD module to the new trim plate and securely place it in the dashboard.

Step 3: Next Install The Wiring Harness

Locate the new harnesses responsible for powering the fog lights and the new CCM module.

Find the connectors for these harnesses near the passenger headlight assembly. You might need to run additional CAN and power wires if necessary.

Carefully remove the old harness and clip in the new ones at the same locations. Ensure the CCM pigtail is correctly connected.

Step 4: Install The CCM Module

While removing the grill is possible, it’s best to remove the bumper for easier installation. Utilize spring nuts and bolts to secure the CCM bracket. Ensure the bracket is properly fastened to the bumper.

Attach the sensor to the bracket using the provided studs and nuts. Adjust the sensor’s level with the top adjustment screw.

Be careful while doing so, misalignment or damage to the CCM module will trigger “ adaptive cruise not available sensor blocked see manual ” alert in your F150.

Step 5: Install Steering Wheel Controls

Carefully remove the airbag using two hex wrenches. Disconnect the wiring connectors behind the airbag.

Replace the cruise control switch on the steering wheel with the new ACC switch. Be cautious not to over-tighten the screws. Reconnect the wiring connectors and reinstall the airbag carefully.

Step 6: Replace The ABS Module

Install the necessary software and connect the VCX Nano device. Disconnect the connectors, remove the screws, and replace the old ABS module with the new one.

Use FJDS to initiate the PMI (Programming and Initialization) procedure. Follow the on-screen prompts to program the new module.

Step 7: Make These Forscan Modifications

  • Make IPMA changes: 706-01-01 xxxx Axxx 6977.
  • Modify IPC settings: 720-01-01 xFxx xxxx xxxx, 720-01-02 xxxx 9xxx xxxx, 720-04-01 Exxx x1xx xxxx, 720-09-01 xxxx xxxx 2xxx.
  • Adjust SCCM settings: 724-03-01 19xx xxxx xx.
  • Make necessary changes in BCM: 726-13-01 xx90 6xxx xxxx.
  • Adjust CCM settings using the VIN: 764-01-01 05xx xxxx xx (First four characters of VIN in HEX), 764-01-02 xxxx xxxx xx (Next five characters of VIN), 764-01-03 xxxx xxxx xx (Next five characters of VIN), 764-01-04 xxxx xx00 001x (Last three characters of VIN in HEX), 764-01-05 0000 0071.
  • Apply this change for ABS: 760-03-01 Fxxx xx (or D if you don’t have the Hill Descent Switch).

Step 8: Finally Calibrate and Test Everything

Run the CCM calibration using Forscan. Drive the vehicle until the calibration process is completed. Perform ABS PMI with FJDS and IVD calibration with Forscan or FJDS.

Apply this change for ABS: 760-03-01 Fxxx xx (or D if you don’t have the Hill Descent Switch). Use Forscan to clear all DTCs. Turn the ignition off and on to ensure no remaining DTCs.

In IPC, change Cruise Control mode from Normal to Adaptive. Start your vehicle and verify that ACC is working correctly. 

How Much Will It Cost To Add Adaptive Cruise Control System in F-150?

It varies greatly. Getting Adaptive Cruise Control installed at a dealership could cost you roughly $3,000 to $3,500, covering parts and labor. Yet, DIY enthusiasts have managed to add it to their F-150s for under $1,200.

By purchasing new OEM parts and doing the installation personally, you can save a significant amount.

Advantages of Adaptive Cruise Control

Here are a couple of benefits you might get with ACC:

  • Improved safety by maintaining a safe distance from the car in front.
  • Reduced driver fatigue on long trips as ACC manages speed changes.
  • Better fuel efficiency as it optimizes acceleration and deceleration.
  • Easier navigation in heavy traffic, handling stop-and-go situations.
  • A possible boost in your vehicle’s resale value with advanced features.

Drawbacks Of Adaptive Cruise Control

There are somewhat significant drawbacks, though. These include:

  • Initial high costs for purchase and installation.
  • Complex features that may take time to understand.
  • Reliance on sensors, requiring maintenance or replacement.
  • Less effective in bad weather like heavy rain or snow.
  • Potential need for recalibration or software updates, involving extra time and costs.

How To Tell If Your F150 Has Adaptive Cruise Control Or Not?

You can tell if your F150 has Adaptive Cruise Control or not by taking a look at the truck’s steering wheel – specifically at the control panel on its left. If you see arrow symbols on it, the truck has Adaptive Cruise Control. These are the distance settings for the cars in front of the truck, used to calibrate Adaptive Cruise Control. If you see only letters, then there’s no Adaptive Cruise Control.

Which F-150 has Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive Cruise Control is included in the King Ranch, Raptor, and Limited editions of the F-150.

When was Adaptive Cruise Control added to the F-150?

Adaptive Cruise Control became available recently as part of Ford’s advanced safety features. The 2015 Ford F-150 is the first pickup truck from Ford to include ACC.

Does Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist have Adaptive Cruise Control?

Yes, Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist includes Adaptive Cruise Control in its suite of advanced driver-assist technologies.

Is Adaptive Cruise Control worth it?

It depends on your driving needs. It adds safety and convenience, making it great for long drives and heavy traffic.

Is Blue Cruise and Adaptive Cruise Control the same?

No, BlueCruise isn’t the same as adaptive cruise control (ACC). It’s a unique feature from Ford that combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, but only on specific mapped roads. Unlike regular adaptive cruise control, BlueCruise lets you drive hands-free under certain conditions on approved highways. And if you’re wondering if can I add Blue Cruise to f150 , you should check out my detailed guide on that.

Final Thoughts

There you go; you should have it all set up now.

Your F-150 is ready to roll with Adaptive Cruise Control, making your driving experience smoother and safer.

Take it for a spin and enjoy the convenience it brings to your daily commute.

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Editor In-Chief at Vehicle School

With years of hands-on experience in the automotive industry, I am Jabed Arafat, a seasoned professional dedicated to delivering precision and reliability in every repair. Specializing in diagnostics, maintenance, and intricate repairs, my skills extend across a diverse range of modern and classic vehicles.

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What is Cruise Control

Cruise Control Explained – All You Need to Know

Zutobi

Cruise control has come a long way since first invented and patented by Ralph Teetor in 1950, who originally named it the “Speedostat”. Chrysler Corporation was the first manufacturer to offer the groundbreaking mechanism as an option on several of its luxury vehicle models nine years later. Today, cruise control is rapidly becoming the standard on all new vehicles, providing drivers with increased convenience on their daily drive.

As you’re learning how to operate a vehicle , understanding cruise control will help increase your comfort behind the wheel and knowledge of driving.

What is Cruise Control?

Cruise control is an electronic device within your vehicle that controls the speed of your vehicle. It allows the driver to maintain a constant speed of 25 mph without holding their foot on the accelerator. Although the feature has been around for 70 years, automotive manufacturers continue to improve upon the technology to provide drivers with increased comfort, luxury, and convenience whenever they’re behind the wheel.

cars driving on a freeway with little traffic

Different Types of Cruise Control

There are 3 types of cruise control systems.

  • Speed Limiter
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Semi-autonomous Cruise Control

What is a Speed Limiter?

A speed limiter will limit how fast the driver can accelerate behind the wheel. All modern vehicles contain a standard speed limiter capping speed between 120 mph and 180 mph depending to protect the vehicle’s engine and discourage reckless driving. However, an additional limiter can be added as an option in many European-made cars, as well as Tesla, Ford, and Nissan. Drivers are still required to keep their foot on the pedal to keep their vehicle in motion, but will not be able to accelerate past a predefined speed limit.

What is Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise c ontrol uses sensors around the vehicle’s exterior to maintain speed while keeping a safe following distance from the car ahead. The system will slow you down and speed you up as the flow of traffic fluctuates throughout your commute, removing a lot of the stress from daily driving. However, adaptive cruise control may not work well in bad weather or protect you from sudden movements, so you will want to always keep your full attention on the road.

What is Semi-autonomous Cruise Control?

Luxury automakers such as Tesla and Audi are implementing the newest rendition of cruise control on their latest vehicle models – Semi-autonomous Cruise Control. It works largely the same as adaptive cruise control, but assists drivers with lane guidance and steering. There are several variations of semi-autonomous cruise control that include additional convenience features for the driver.

How to Use Cruise Control – 6 Step Guide

These are the steps to using cruise control effectively.

  • Observe weather conditions
  • Build speed
  • Engage cruise control
  • Set cruise control
  • Watch the road and steer
  • Brake to disengage

1 – Observe weather conditions

As mentioned, cruise control may become inconsistent in rainy, snowy, or otherwise hazardous conditions. If you must drive in this situation, it may be a better idea to do so manually. Cruise control works best on a clear day with constant traffic flow.

Cruise control is not suitable for bad conditions, for example when driving in fog.

2 – Build speed

Accelerate to your desired speed as you prepare to activate cruise control. US highways have posted speed limits between 55 mph and 75 mph. Do not attempt to set cruise control when you are traveling over the speed limit.

3 – Engage cruise control

Once you’ve reached your desired speed, engage the cruise control. This step will vary widely based on your vehicle make and model, however, many cruise control settings are accessible from the steering wheel controls. Check your owner’s manual for further information.

4 – Set cruise control

After turning on cruise control, you’ll need to set your desired speed. Many systems set the cruise control at the current speed, while others require you to manually set one. You can increase and decrease this speed as needed without interrupting the mechanism.

5 – Watch the road and steer

Watching the road is essential when cruise control is engaged. Cruise control is not a substitute for a human driver and will require supervision at every step. If you are using a semi-autonomous system, you will not need to steer but will need to keep at least one hand on the wheel for safety measures.

Engaging the cruise control does not mean that you can focus less on driving.

6 – Brake to disengage

When cruise control is no longer needed, or you need to quickly make a maneuver, simply apply pressure to the brakes to disengage the system. Once deactivated, you will be in full control of your vehicle once again.

When NOT to Use Cruise Control

While cruise control is a convenient feature for modern drivers, it is not perfect for all circumstances. In fact, utilizing the system can be quite dangerous if you’re not careful. Be sure not to use cruise control under these conditions.

Heavy Traffic

Heavy, or stop-and-go traffic is not ideal for safely using cruise control. When engaging cruise control on the highway, ensure your lane is clear and there are no vehicles stopping ahead.

highway with heavy traffic

Wet or Icy Conditions

You need to be driving slowly while on wet and icy roads. While cruise control keeps a constant, predetermined speed, it takes away a lot of the manual control needed to stay safe when it’s raining or snowing.

City Driving

While driving through the city, you’ll face a number of stop lights and stop signs that will require manual braking. This action will automatically disengage cruise control.

Winding Roads

Winding roads require more attention than straight, flat streets. Cruise control systems, even adaptable cruise control, may not always detect these streets correctly, causing accidents.

winding road in the mountains

Fatigued Driving

Driving while fatigued is never a good idea, but even less so while using cruise control. Utilizing the system may add to your fatigue, as you give your vehicle more control of the journey. If you’re even the least bit tired, you should never turn on cruise control.

As you can see, cruise control is a great way to relieve much of the stress that comes with everyday driving. The constant rate of speed can also drastically improve fuel efficiency for longer drivers. Cruise control has had a positive impact on the driving industry for 70 years and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon.

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In this story

Extra eyes are useful • Cameras serve two purposes • What’s adaptive cruise control? • Reduce impulse to speed • Combat drowsy driving • Not always safer

When I bought a crossover SUV  a little more than five years ago, I wanted cameras in front to help detect obstacles in the road as well as the now-standard backup cameras.

I was fresh off an accident . My previous lower and more compact hatchback had run over a sign on a foggy morning — a sign that some bigger vehicle had knocked off its perch in a median and onto the roadway. I didn’t see it until too late.

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The twisted metal had enough height to impale my oil pan, and I couldn’t drive forward or backward. A groggy driver soon ran into the good Samaritan who had stopped behind me and added a second injury to the rear of my little car that ultimately totaled it. (Neither I nor the nice man was hurt, but I still wince at what happened to his car. I’ve lost his contact information and never thanked him properly.)

A car’s cameras  can have a second use

Those same cameras and sometimes radar and lidar that can warn about debris and stopped vehicles before a driver sees them — known as forward collision warning systems — also make a different kind of cruise control possible than what existed when I was 16. Although automakers use various names, the feature that has trickled down to moderately priced cars in the past five years is generically called adaptive cruise control .

“It can be really helpful for older Americans,” says Abigail Bassett, a journalist who has covered technology and the automotive industry for more than 10 years. “It takes some of the stress of driving in traffic away.”

I’ve long been a lover of stick shifts and hadn’t used a standard cruise control for years. In my return to an automatic transmission car, I didn’t realize I had the new feature until about a year ago. More than 60 percent of the 2023 cars, light trucks, SUVs and vans had adaptive cruise control installed, almost triple from 2017, according to Wards Intelligence, an auto technology research company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan.

At Consumer Reports, Kelly Funkhouser, associate director of vehicle technology, says that 89 percent of the models out last year had adaptive cruise control available. Only the base trim models didn’t offer it.

“If [buyers] end up getting adaptive cruise control, 90 percent of the people report they are using it and they report high satisfaction,” she says. Chances are good that your future new car will have it.

The way you turn the control on varies by vehicle.

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What is adaptive cruise control?

Cruise control makes driving long distances easier, but the more crowded the road, the more often you’ll have to tap the brakes to slow down. Adaptive cruise control uses the sensors in the collision detection system and the automatic emergency braking technology that often accompanies it to scan the road ahead.

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If a driver in front of you is going slower than your set speed, a car with adaptive cruise control will automatically slow down to ensure you stay a safe distance away. When you change lanes or the traffic ahead clears, your car resumes its cruising speed.

The idea is to keep a safe driving distance between you and the vehicle in front, so your car won’t need to use its automatic emergency braking to keep you from a collision. It doesn’t mean you have a self-driving car , but your new car is probably smarter than one you had a decade ago — and certainly smarter than my father’s Oldsmobile, a 2000 Intrigue that I inherited about 15 years ago.

list of adaptive cruise control features

Cruise control reduces the inclination to speed

Adaptive cruise control is useful if you tend to depress the accelerator a little too much, as I found myself doing on a drive alone in 2023 through a flat and sparsely populated part of the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona. The police officer coming toward me on that two-lane road discovered my lead foot.

Driving down drowsiness

In 2021, 684 people were killed in crashes involving a drowsy driver, representing 1.6 percent of all motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. Several companies, including Audi, Tesla, Mercedes and Volvo, have systems that will sound an alert if you appear to be dozing off — even with your eyes open.

Surveilling your vehicle, you.  Some systems monitor your vehicle’s movements, factoring in steering wheel angle, lane deviation and the amount of time you’ve been driving. Other systems, like Tesla’s, use cabin-facing cameras to watch you for signs of sleepiness, such as yawns and rapid blinks. If the car thinks you’re drowsy, it will suggest you pull over to grab a cup of coffee or stretch. 

Safety-minded older adults.  Yet older drivers might be the best monitors of their own sleepiness. Data from the National Sleep Foundation noted that only 19 percent of people 65 and older are likely to drive drowsy, compared with 71 percent of drivers age 18 to 29 and 52 percent of 30- to 64-year-olds.

I didn’t want to get into that predicament again. So I found a safe place to pull over, got out my car’s manual and looked for the cruise control instructions. That’s when I discovered my car had adaptive cruise control and I started my experiment with it, following cars that slowed at stoplights in small communities and sped up on the open road for the 300 or so miles to Los Alamos, New Mexico.

I still test it on crowded U.S. 50 into work and congested Interstate 81 in southwest Virginia. And here’s what I’ve learned in 15 months of using adaptive cruise control nearly every time I drive.

My average miles per gallon have increased by about two in the past year because I’m letting the onboard computer do the braking and a lot of the accelerating. But it’s not a substitute for being alert.

My version of adaptive cruise control must be tapped to resume after every stop. Sometimes when rounding corners, it doesn’t see another car soon enough, which causes some white-knuckle moments for my husband when he’s in the passenger seat.

It can approach a stopped car too fast. It won’t brake when a school bus extends its arm on the other side of the road. It doesn’t know the speed limit in a residential area and can’t sense speed bumps.

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Consider it a tool more than a fail-safe

“Everything we’re seeing tells us that partial automation is a convenience feature, like power windows or heated seats, rather than a safety technology,” says President David Harkey of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. His nonprofit educational organization, supported by auto insurers, released a study in July with the Highway Loss Data Institute looking at the crash rates of Nissan Rogues from 2017 to 2019 and BMWs from 2013 to 2017.

Consumer Reports ’ Funkhouser, who has been part of her nonprofit’s vehicle testing program for more than six years, wants to emphasize that all these features — adaptive cruise control, another one called lane centering that keeps your vehicle from drifting, and emergency braking — have more benefits than preventing crashes.

“I sometimes hear the sentiment of ‘Why do I need these fancy features?’ ” she says. “But who doesn’t want a second set of eyes to help you?”

Her concern with the safety features is when someone tries to use them as if they have a self-driving car. With lane centering and adaptive cruise control together, you’re not in control of a lot of driving-related tasks anymore, she says. But you still must pay attention to the road.

“They’re not meant to replace a driver but to make driving easier and less stressful,” Funkhouser says.

Adaptive cruise control and its partners in driver assistance have saved my bacon a couple of times in Washington, most recently when streets around the White House and Capitol were blocked for NATO’s 75th anniversary. Wide rivers of drivers were condensed into one lane, and maneuvering was almost a contact sport. I came out unscathed after a more than two-hour commute, most of it spent in the 2.5 mile stretch between the Potomac River and the office.

C ontributing: Chris Morris and Lexi Pandell

Linda Dono is an executive editor for AARP. Previously, she served as a reporter and editor for USA Today , Gannett News Service and newspapers in four states, including The Cincinnati Enquirer .

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How to add cruise control to your car, truck or motorcycle

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Not all cars, trucks or motorcycles come with cruise control from the factory. Cruise control on some cars is standard but many cars have it as an option. Some cars, like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution don’t even have it as an option. Luckily, there are companies out there that create aftermarket cruise control kits make it easy to add this feature to virtually any vehicle.

I have a manual transmission, will these kits work for me? Depending on the vehicle, you might need an extra switch to disengage the cruise control when you press on the clutch. A clutch disengagement switch is relatively inexpensive, and is easy to install. If you are not sure if you need one, please ask us in the comments below.

My vehicle is drive-by-wire, do I need a special kit? If your car or truck is the new drive-by-wire throttle system, the cruise control kit you order will already take that into account. Most of the older types of throttle systems are based on a throttle cable. You push on the gas pedal, and a cable pulls open the throttle body. This is still the majority of throttle systems available today. However, there are some vehicles where in the middle of the year, the manufacture switched to a drive-by-wire system, and for those vehicles, you would need to select which one you have.

What about wireless cruise control switches? For some vehicles, it would make installation much easier if you could add a wireless cruise control switch . With this system, it saves having to run wires and makes the overall install cleaner.

What kind of switches are available? The most popular are handles that attach to your steering column, usually on the left hand side , and sometimes on the right hand side for European models. For some vehicles such as a motorcycle or an RV or camper, it might make more sense to get a dash mounted switch .

Do I need any extra sensors like a vehicle speed sensor? Usually, the complete kits come with everything you need. For universal kits, depending on the vehicle, you might also need a VSS or a Vehicle Speed Signal Generator . If you are not sure, please ask us in the comments below and we can help you identify what you need.

Do these kits void your warranty? By law, an aftermarket part can not void your warranty unless if it directly caused damage to your vehicle. If you install an aftermarket cruise control kit, and for example your transmission fails, they would have to prove that it failed due to the installation and operation of the cruise control. Please check your local and national laws for more information.

Some kits say they require dealer activation. What does this mean? If your system says it requires dealer activation, it means that the computer in your vehicle (also known as the ECU, PCM or ECM), has to be activated for cruise control, so your vehicle allows you to maintain a stable speed from an aftermarket unit. The process is usually painless. You take your vehicle to the dealer, and they set your vehicle’s computer to accept cruise control. For any costs associated with this, please contact your dealer.

Where can I get these systems installed? Do you recommend someone? Many of our customers do the install themselves. We always recommend professional installation, and for those who go this route, we recommend to call a local repair shop. Many people have had good luck calling stereo install places as they seem to have done these before, but it does depend on the specific shop.

I want a complete system, is there something available? Depending on your vehicle, there might be a complete cruise control system available that includes all the required switches and sensors. For those who have older vehicles, there are also universal cruise control kits available, but with those you would need to also buy a separate switch. If you need a universal kit, click here and see the options available at the bottom of the page.

Do you have install instructions available? Install instructions vary from vehicle to vehicle. We do not have any for a motorcycle, but for a car or truck, there are universal instructions as well as vehicle specific instructions. Please ask us in the comments below and we can provide you information.

Where can I buy a kit for my vehicle? Please check our full listing here: Rostra Cruise Control . Here are all of the switches available: cruise switches and handles . If you do not see your vehicle listed, and are not sure what kit to order, please ask us in the comments below or send us an email.

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hi wanna ask on cruise control.. well i stay in Malaysia and i wish to install this features to my car which is not equipped with this features..is it costly to install it and do you some idea where should i get services to install this features.thank you

purchase an aftermarket universal kit…then go to car shop…the car electrician knows how to install it..

I have a land cruiser 200 Is it possible to install cruise control?

Could you please forward me some basic installation instructions to install a cruise contol device to my auto. I want to get an idea of the proceedure. I’d like to install it on a 1993 isuze trooper with mannual shifter Thanks Mike

Hi Mike. Check out the Rostra 250-1223 install instructions found here

I need instructions for installing cruise control on a Hyundai Accent, 2008, manual, 1.6 liter.

I have 2004 Dodge Dakota pick up truck with a manual transmission. What would I need to order for aftermarket cruise control.

Hi, I have corolla 2012 in gulf area Dubai, i was planning to buy Rostra 250-1836 but after downloading the manual, i found my A50 connecter wires color are totally different than in Rostra diagram, and when i short the cruise pins in the steering wheel no any lamp flashes, so my question is in worst case that my car has no drive by wire what i have to do to make it works?

Please advise.

I have a 2003 honda Jazz. Is it possible to add a cruise control?

I have a 2002 nissan frontier xe 2.4 liter man transmission. Will i need the extra switch for the clutch?

Have 2005 Jeep Wrangler. There is no ABS system, standard breaking system, 4.0 engine, 6 cylinder. What system will work? …. magnets?? Automatic, 2 & 4-wheel drive. Thanks, tom

Can i use one on my 2000 honda accord?

I have a 1981 Standard Corvette. What type of Cruise Control Kit would I need? Thanks for your explanation of how cruise controls work Thanks Rick Jordan

do i need a clutch disengagement switch on a rostra cruise control for a 2000 acura integra manual?

I have a 1957 Chevrolet pick up. It has 305 CI with 4 barrel holley. Is there a cruise control available or do I need to install a throttle?

Hey, i have a nissan navara 2013 diesel (its same as nissan frontier only difference is gasoline) what if a buy an original steering wheel from the nissan frontier that has cruise control and install it on my navara…let me know.

I have a 1985 nissan d720 King cab 4 wheel drive pickup, do I need a switch to turn off an add on aftermarket cruise control. And is it possible to add a cruise control to my pickup.

I have a 1992 Dodge Dakota, is there a kit for it? The years for Dodge Dakotas cut off at 1997 on your site.

I have a 1967 GMC 950/thomas body school bus with a 4-speed manual transmission(6-gear counting neutral and reverse) and would like to install cruise control, what should i do?

Hi. I have a case header 2166 and can a cruise control kit be fitted to a header. It would need to be installed onto the engine speed so as the load goes on to the engine it will slow down when it does this the cruise control need to slow the header down as the header runs be hydro drive.

02 f 350 4×4 7.3 diesel what does the truck need to run the cruise control we bought a oem cruise system and it won’t work we added the brake master cylinder for a vehicle with cruise and it still won’t work

It’s auto Trans

I have a FIAT 500 POP 2012 – Manual Transmission, I was wondering if I need a clutch disengage switch and if you have a suggested cruise control switch?

let me know.

Will this work for an 06 single throttle body dbw 350z?

Do you have a system for a 2008 ford focus SE?

Hi, I have a 2011 Chevrolet celta / Suzuki Fun (both are the same, they are sild on Argentina, Brasil and other south american countries). It hás Drive by wire. And I believe the mostra bassic control unit possible for a Chevrolet. Would you have a system for this car?

Hi, I have a 2006 Suzuki GSX1400K6 and I’m after a cruise control kit for it. Would you have a kit to fit and which one? I would have to use the Universal Cruise Control Switch (Dash Mount w/ Engaged LED) Rostra 250-3592 because being a motorcycle it doesn’t have an indicator stalk. Thanks for your help.

i have a 76 tradesman van where can i pick up cruise control kit thanks

I have a 2015 Chevrolet Utility , the UTE Force , its a small pick-up. Sold here in South Africa. It has a 1.4 engine with a manual transmission and drive by wire technology. Which cruise control kit will work for me?

Dear I have honda accord 2006 2.4L with automatic transmission and i don’t have cruise control and want to install cruise control in my car

I need a picture information on how a original factory cruise control mounts and hooked ti the acelerater on my 2003 S-10 pick-up truck… thank you !

Can you specify a kit for new Renault KWID?

I am looking to pull a cruise control system off of an 01 Dodge Neon with an automatic transmission and put it on my 97 Dodge Neon with a manual transmission. The dealer has told me that they are interchangeable. I’ve deduced that I need the servo, clockspring, steering wheel, and brake switch. Is there anything else I would need? Do you have any tips?

I have an 09 Chevy Cobalt, 2.2L engine, manual transmission. Do I need a clutch disengagement switch? Is there anything else I need with this model of car?

I don’t see anything for the 1989 ford probe gl but I need it

I have a 2014 nissan versa manual transmission and i would like to know what kind of cruise control kit i would need and where i can get it from… Thank you

I have 1974 Volkswagen thing and I was wondering what I need to install cruise control.

I have a 1956 ford pick up with a carburator gm 350.It has a tv cable operated 700r automatic overdrive trans.It has a after market instrument cluster made by Dakota Digital that is totally electronic.What Im saying is it has a electronic speedometer.What Rostra cruise control kit would I need for this set up.Thanks,David Miller

Would I be able to add a cruise control system to an automatic 2004 Pontiac Vibe?

Hi, I have a manual 2008 Ford focus and was wondering how much it might cost to install a kit and if I need to get a specific kit? Thanks for your time by the way.

have a 85 berlinetta with digital dash doesn’t have the cable under the hood there is just rubber boot need the cable i guess. it is the 2.8 multiport five speed need help

does the rostra unit have the cable for this setup

I didn’t see a complete kit for a Mitsibishi Pajero. I have a 1997, is there one available? Thanks

I have premio car model 2009. 1500cc. I want to install cruise control in my car how i can make the installation n from where in pakistan lahore

Curious what I would need for a Kia Forte 2014 cruise control install

Hi. I would like to install wireless cruise control in my 1997 Mitsibishi Pajero. Could you please let me know which kits I need if you have them available? Thanks

Looking to install a cruise control system in my 1993 honda accord dx but unsure of what to do or what parts I need please help

Hi, my car is a hyundai sonata 2006 automatic transmission, it doesn’t have cruise control, do you have any kit for my car?

Hi, i have a 2007 Chevrolet Captiva(C100) A/T and i couldnt find any kit that suited. Please recommend a kit for my vehicle. Thanks for your time

do you have a kit for a 2011 Kia Rio LX?

hi i have Toyota fortuner 2015 2.7 vvit liter 4 cylinder can i add cruise control and what is the parts required

Hi, I need a cruise control kit for my 2004 volkswagen golf tdi. It is an automatic transmission. Can’t seem to find a complete kit available for it. So if i need to get the universal kit, which control switch should i purchase?

Thanks Coleman

I want to aske about the ability to install the cruise control system on my Nissan Sentra 2013. What are the things that should be replaced. Knowing that i will buy it from a damaged car. Some of the people say that i have to replace the computer and the throttle body . Is it true? Thanks

Could I use a cruise control kit for a 35cc fuel injected engine?? Is there any restriction in engine’s size?

I need a cruise control kit for s 2009 Ford Focus……Which one do I buy?

I have a 2015 Kia Soul manual can cruise control be added

1999 Toyota Corolla VE 5 speed manual tran

What kit and/or parts do I need?

I would like to add a cruise control unit for my daughter’s car. She drives a 2011 Chevy Cruze. What’s your location and what would be the cost of installation? Thank you. Phil

I would like to have a cruise control system installed on my Renault Duster 2013. I am currently based in the UAE. Could you advise the what would be the cost,recommended brand and contents of this installation kit?

You inputs would be useful… Thanks

I have a 2001 Chevy s10 v6 4wd. Can you help me out?

What do I need for a hundai 2013 Tucson?

Well, I am from UAE, I have Pajero Sport 2010 model base model, built on L200. Can advise whether I can install cruise control on this vehicle.

I would like to install an aftermarket cruise in an ’04 Ford Crown Vic (P71) Would it be possible to get a list of all the parts I need to get, and if possible associated installation instructions?

They haven’t answered any questions for 4 years. There is no point in asking them.

Need a system for 2001 Nissan Pulsar N16 5 speed manual …qoute cost to supply with complete instuctions please

Hi i own a tata safari storme i want to add cruise control to it could u pls help me out with dis

Do you have cruise control unit for toyota fortuner with 1kd engine. Mine is a 2011-2013 model. Do you have the installation manual? How hard is the installation?

I have a 01 Xterra with a manual trans. how do I wire the the vehical speed sensor to the 250-1223 kit I bought?

Is one available for a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon?

Can I have a cruise control put into my 2012 mazda 5

what do I need for a 2008 chevy silverado

Is it possible to fit one to a 1995 Toyota Rav4 , if so which kit would work.

Is there an adaptive cruise control kit for 2012 Subaru legacy gt 6 speed manual? I already have cruise control, but would love adaptive for long car trips.

Hi, I have a 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 Diesel, automatic gearbox. Car didn’t have cruise control and I have bought the original switch which fitted perfectly on the steering wheel. It goes lit when you turn the lights on, activates the CRUISE indicator in board when you press on/off but does not keep the speed constant. Can you please help me on indicating what else I may need? Would that be just a computer setting? Many thanks!

76 ford bronco with 351w 4 Barrel carb and a 5 speed transmission want a cruise control for it

I have a 2013 Nissan Versa manual transmission. Any estimate on coat to get parts and install?

can I put cruise control into my Chevrolet trax 2015

What about for a 2019 Chevy Spark LS CVT? We just got it and they didn’t tell us there was no cruise control… get it home and found out after driving it. I looked on the site you listed and it only shows one for up to 2018.

Can I do this on a 1986 Suburban? If so, what kit/parts would I need to purchase to do this? Can you shoot me a link? Thanks!

Sir, 1991 Renault Trafic (Eriba Colorado camping car) 2.5L diesel / manual gearbox. Is it possible to get cruise control for this vehicle and do you supply to France. Thank you, Dr Robert M. Love

My car is chevy trax 2017 but it dont have crusise control do I need the clutch disengagement switch?thank you…

Is there a kit for 2019 Nissan Qashqai manual transmission?

Want to install (add) cruise control to 85 Dodge D100 truck but did not see kit for that, any recommendations

I have a 1935 Ford 3 window coupe with a 428cj what kind of cruise control system would I need for this application

Hi! i drive a VW Polo Classic 2000 model, could you please advise on what kit will i need and installation instructions.

My car’s cruise control is faulty , is it possible for me to install a new universal kit , the vehicle is a vw vento

I have a manual transmission, will these kits work for me? I have a 2020 KIA Soul LX Manual. Do I need an extra switch to disengage the cruise control when I press on the clutch? Also, I have the cruise control switch already. Do you know who I could contact to install it for me? I’m not comfortable taking the steering wheel apart.

Hello, i have a Skoda Octavia mk2 from 2011 1.6 tdi engine that doesn’t have cruise control and my question is if i can install one and does it need to have a certain code or something? And if it does where can i find it or how can i find it?is my car compatible with it, does it need to be or activating it will be enough? Thank you for your time.

hi, i have a 2002 dodge neon that dont have a cruze controlle installed. will yalls product work in my car?

I have a 2012 Nissan Sentra 6 speed manual transmission, I plan on getting the cruise control kit. Will I need the clutch disengagement switch or other parts?

Hi, wanting to know if there is a cruise control kit for a Mazda Bravo Plus 2006 4×4.

Hi team, I am from india and use a TATA Nexon EV. Can you suggest which kit can i use for cruise control. also how can i source the same here in india.

Thanks Pankaj Jha

I would like to replace the stock steering wheel of an 87 f150 with something else, but I don’t want to lose cruise control. What kit would be best and what, if any, extra items would I need to make it work?

I have an 04 GMC Sierra 1500 with 4,3 V6. I purchased a kit which is the switches only on the replacement signal lite lever. I has a 4 prong wire connector. There are no instructions and I would like to know if there is any thing else that I need.

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Cruise Control Explained: How It Works, And When You Should Use It

Steering wheel cruise control concept

Self-driving cars are becoming increasingly intelligent , but whether they'll ever be ubiquitous and fully capable remains unclear. Tesla notes (for now) that its Full Self Driving Capability is "intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment." For many drivers at present, the automatic functions of their cars are limited to the likes of beeping sensors, flashing displays, and features like cruise control.

Cruise control is a feature provided as standard on a wide range of vehicles; it's one of those functions that some drivers adore and others barely use. While the feature doesn't take over from the driver by any means, it can significantly ease their burden. Essentially, cruise control allows drivers to select an appropriate speed for the road, conditions, and general journey they're currently on, and automatically prevents the vehicle from deviating from that speed.

Experienced drivers, of course, will probably be familiar with the basics of what cruise control does, even if they haven't really used it themselves. Rather more complex than that, though, is the question of exactly how it keeps the vehicle moving at a specific speed. If you've ever wondered how cruise control works, what the pros and cons of using it are, how it's developed since its introduction, and/or when to use it, this is just the piece for you.

The essentials of how cruise control works

Futuristic concept car analyzing road

Cruise control as we know it today has its roots in the ingenuity of Ralph Teetor. Though he lost his vision following an accident, Teetor rose to become the president of the Society of Automotive Engineers. In that capacity, he used both his passion for auto safety and his extensive experience with other drivers to create the first example of cruise control. In 1950, Teetor held a patent for technology referred to as a "Speed Control Device For Resisting Operation Of The Accelerator," also called the Speedostat, and it worked just as the name implied: the driver could opt for a certain speed by selecting it from the dash, then, through the drive shaft, a piston would provide resisting force on the pedal after arriving at that speed.

The basics of how cruise control functions haven't actually changed very much. Depending on the vehicle model, the input for choosing the desired speed may now be a touchscreen, but the effect is the same: a connected actuator receives the signal from the control device, and, as it runs to the valve for the throttle, is used to control the strength of the force acting on the throttle. Accelerating faster or slower depending on how much faster the inputted speed is, the vehicle will then reach said speed and hold the accelerator in place (though not necessarily physically as Teetor's Speedostat did). This is a mechanically-oriented form of cruise control, but some modern vehicles utilize adaptive cruise control instead.

How is adaptive cruise control different?

Vehicle concept detecting car ahead

The basic concept of cruise control, of course, is centered more around what the specific vehicle is doing, rather than what's on the road around it. Drivers can simply brake as they typically would in response to other drivers, overriding the constant-speed effect of cruise control, which means that autonomy isn't really a factor in cruise control beyond maintaining the speed. Adaptive cruise control like the kind found in some Acura vehicles , however, is a little more sophisticated.

Adaptive cruise control is a feature more able to do exactly that: adapt. This means that while the driver selects the vehicle's cruising speed as before, it is not locked to that speed. Another crucial thing to take into account is the vehicle's distance from others; adaptive or autonomous cruise control adds small and discreet radar systems (inputs situated somewhere near the vehicle's front lights) to the equation to monitor the surrounding area. These radars have ranges from approximately 100 feet to around 600 feet, depending on the vehicle.

A car with ACC will commonly boast small wheel-mounted units that measure its speed, along with a front-mounted one that can determine how far away other vehicles are. The former can adjust how fast your vehicle is moving relative to any motorists ahead, thereby ensuring that you always maintain your selected distance from them. Braking capacity while the system is active differs, but typically, the driver will be alerted to brake heavily if necessary (if a driver ahead does the same for instance).

When cruise control should be used

Concept illustration self-driving car

Some drivers often have the luxury of wide, peaceful, near-empty roads. For others, driving tends to be a commuter's cacophony of traffic jams, honking horns, and slow stop-start-stop-start progress. The experience can differ greatly depending on the time of day and whether it's a weekday or the weekend. The bottom line, though, is that one of these scenarios is a far better fit for cruise control than the other.

Brakes remain operational during the use of cruise control, and engaging them will override the system. This means two things: the driver's attention must still firmly remain on the road as ever (we're not at  level 5 on the autonomous driving scale here) and cruise control has sharply decreased utility in congested areas. By contrast, if you're a driver who frequently takes long-distance trips on open roads, cruise control could be the perfect feature for you. An alert and rested driver is a safe driver, and where longer journeys can compromise those things, cruise control reduces some of that pressure.

Adaptive cruise control, which monitors the ever-changing road ahead continuously via radar or laser, is potentially better equipped to handle congested roads. There's no definitive answer on whether that's the case, however, because this feature is very different from vehicle to vehicle.

Different manufacturers have different cruise control features

Radar system on vehicle

Cruise control is a common feature, and adaptive cruise control is becoming increasingly widespread too. The matter of how the two types of cruise control work is a very complex one beyond the basics, though, because different vehicle manufacturers have developed their own unique features for it and implemented the system in different ways.

For example, Audi's Traffic Jam Assist technology can be activated in tandem with its adaptive cruise control, thereby supporting the driver in conditions that aren't optimal for the latter. By means of ultrasonic sensors, radar, and a windshield camera, the vehicle will maintain a consistent distance from the one ahead in traffic while staying oriented on the road. The driver takes full manual controlwhen the congestion clears or Traffic Jam Assist otherwise becomes unsuitable for the situation.

Similarly, select Ford models are among those that offer Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, implementing advanced features such as Speed Sign Recognition (which aims to prevent adaptive cruise control users from being caught out by speed limits by adjusting the chosen speed to match them) and Stop-and-Go (limited capacity to stop entirely in response to a vehicle ahead doing the same). As always, drivers should consult their vehicle manual to determine which cruise control features are available and how to use them.

Pros and cons of cruise control and adaptive cruise control

Driver behind wheel of car

Cruise control can be advantageous for drivers in other ways too. In its capacity to ensure a vehicle remains at a steady speed, where possible, it can boost driving efficiency. According to Natural Resources Canada , varying your speed by around 6 mph every 18 seconds can be 20% more costly in terms of fuel. Cruise control, in a general sense, aims to be as efficient as possible within the parameters the driver provides, which can potentially translate to less fuel being used over time.

This is only the case when driving for longer stretches on wide, clear roads, however. The reason is that there are certain things human drivers are better at than their machine counterparts, and adjusting speed subtly in response to changes in elevation is one of them. Failing to do so can be wasteful. 

On a similar note, Vanderbilt University  found that drivers are more adaptable in their thinking and processing of multiple vehicles and their movements on the road, while cruise control features tend to have a rather narrower focus in terms of the vehicle(s) in front. Cruise control can serve as an invaluable tool for drivers, but isn't infallible. Ensuring that you use it for its intended purpose is the key to best taking advantage of it.

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How to Use Cruise Control on a Car

Last Updated: February 20, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Simon Miyerov . Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 495,462 times.

Many cars come with cruise control systems, a great feature that will automatically keep a car driving at a set speed. This gives your feet a rest, and helps you save gas and avoid speeding tickets. Familiarize yourself with your car's cruise control switches, located on or near the steering wheel. Make sure to use cruise control only in safe conditions, and to stay focused on the road. Once you know how to operate cruise control, you're ready for a comfortable, efficient drive!

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Operating Cruise Control

Step 1 Locate your car's cruise control switches.

  • Check your car's operating manual if you are unable to find the cruise control switches.

Step 2 Study the layout of the switches.

  • Many cars have additional buttons to increase or decrease speed (marked by a +/-) when using cruise control.

Step 3 Drive your car until you reach your desired speed and hit “SET.”

  • For some car models, cruise control will not operate below a certain speed, such as 40 miles (64 km) per hour.

Step 4 Stop cruise control whenever you need to.

  • To stop cruise control briefly (such as when a car in front of you brakes), just press the brake as you normally would.
  • If you are driving a manual, you can also disengage cruise control by pressing the clutch.
  • If you are completely done using cruise control, you can press the “OFF” or "ON/OFF" switch.
  • If your car has a cruise control “CANCEL” switch, you can also press that to stop it.

Step 5 Resume cruise control, if you want.

  • If your car has a +/- button for cruise control, press this when you want to raise or lower your car's speed.

Using Cruise Control Safely and Efficiently

Step 1 Reserve cruise control for the open road.

  • Using cruise control on busy streets can also be dangerous. Since you yourself are not in complete control of your car, you may be paying less attention. You might brake or react to other cars more slowly than normal, increasing the chance of an accident.

Step 2 Avoid using cruise control in hazardous conditions.

  • Wet or snowy roads
  • Hilly, steep, or mountainous areas
  • Winding roads

Step 3 Stay focused on the road.

Expert Q&A

Simon Miyerov

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  • ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKtBSFoAYlg
  • ↑ http://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/cruise-control/

About This Article

Simon Miyerov

If you want to use cruise control on your car, make sure you're on the open road, such as a freeway or highway. Additionally, avoid using cruise control in rainy or snowy conditions, or if you're driving through a city, since you'll need to change speed and turn regularly. When you're ready to switch to cruise control, press the "Set" switch, which is usually found on the steering column or on the wheel, when your car reaches the desired speed. To stop cruise control, press on the brake or push the clutch if you're driving a manual car. To learn when to avoid using cruise control and how it can help you save on fuel, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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GM's Cruise recalls nearly 1,200 robotaxis to close US investigation

General Motors' Cruise unit has agreed to recall nearly 1,200 robotaxis over hard braking issues, the U.S. auto safety regulator said on Thursday, following a probe into the safety of their autonomous driving systems.

As a result of the recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has agreed to close the investigation, opened in December 2022 after reports of two injuries in three rear-end crashes.

The closing of the investigation is a significant step for Cruise as it works to reassure state and federal officials of the safety of its vehicles and eventually resume robotaxi operations without backup safety drivers, and to take on paying customers.

Cruise said it did not agree with the NHTSA’s conclusion that a recall was needed, but had agreed to do so to resolve the investigation.

"We are committed to building trust and increasing transparency with respect to autonomous vehicle technology," a Cruise spokesperson said Thursday.

Related: GM's Cruise self-driving unit getting new CEO

Cruise said the vehicles had received prior software updates that "significantly reduced the risk of unexpected brakingevents". The self-driving unit said it provided the NHTSA with data showing the rate of unexpected braking events in Cruise AVs "is very low and much lower than a human driver."

The NHTSA said none of the incidents it had analyzed resulted in a crash or injuries.

The regulator opened a separate investigation in October into whether Cruise is taking sufficient precautions with its autonomous robotaxis to safeguard pedestrians, which remains open.

Cruise also faces ongoing investigations by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission following an accident last October in which one of its robotaxis struck a pedestrian after she was hit by another vehicle and dragged her 20 feet.

The NHTSA said Cruise vehicles were involved in 10 crashes, with four resulting in injuries, after analyzing hard braking data from 7,632 incidents commanded by Cruise's automated driving system.

GM said last month it would indefinitely suspend plans to use its self-driving Origin vehicle that does not have a steering wheel.

Cruise, along with other self-driving vehicle technology companies such as Alphabet's Waymo and Amazon'sZoox, has come under heavy regulatory scrutiny due to safety concerns after crashes involving their vehicles.

In response to the October accident and subsequent investigations, Cruise's CEO resigned last year and GeneralMotors subsequently announced plans to scale back spending on the self-driving unit.

After halting all driving after the accident, Cruise in May resumed supervised autonomous driving in Phoenix with safety drivers.

The California Public Utilities Commission imposed the maximum penalty of $112,500 on Cruise for its failure topromptly provide complete information to the commission about the October crash.

Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng, Anil D'Silva, Shinjini Ganguli and Jan Harvey.

►  Stay connected and stay informed. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press today.

Uber will add driverless Cruise vehicles to its fleet in 2025

A Chevy Bolt is used as an autonomous vehicle.

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After losing its California operating license last year over safety concerns, the autonomous vehicle company Cruise will soon partner with Uber to offer driverless transportation through the popular ride-hail app.

Cruise and Uber announced a multiyear partnership that will begin in 2025 and allow Uber customers to select a driverless Cruise vehicle for qualified trips. The partnership will begin in a single, unspecified city and will rely on Chevy Bolt-based autonomous vehicles.

Cruise idled its entire fleet in October after California regulators revoked the company’s license to provide driverless rides, alleging that the company mishandled a safety incident in which a pedestrian was struck and dragged by a Cruise vehicle in San Francisco.

The pedestrian, who was in the street after being struck by a car with a driver, was pinned under a Cruise vehicle and sent to the hospital with injuries. In 2018, a self-driving vehicle from Uber hit and killed a pedestrian in Arizona, causing the company to halt its driverless program in several cities.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Cruise Founder & CEO Kyle Vogt speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch)

A Cruise car hit a pedestrian. The company’s response could set back California’s new robotaxi industry

A Cruise robotaxi dragged an injured woman 20 feet. The company misled reporters about the facts, and maybe state regulators too.

Oct. 26, 2023

Driverless Cruise vehicles remain banned in California, but autonomous cars operated by the Google spinoff Waymo are serving customers in San Francisco. Waymo is expanding into cities around the Bay Area and Southern California, the Associated Press reported, and announced that its robotaxis are completing more than 100,000 paid rides per week. Both Cruise and Uber are based in San Francisco.

Cruise, founded in 2013 and owned by General Motors, is providing trips with a driver behind the wheel in Phoenix, Houston and Dallas. The Uber partnership probably will be launched in one of those cities, the company said, and will rely on autonomous vehicles with no driver.

“Cruise is on a mission to leverage driverless technology to create safer streets and redefine urban life,” Cruise Chief Executive Marc Whitten said in a statement announcing the partnership. “We are excited to partner with Uber to bring the benefits of safe, reliable, autonomous driving to even more people.”

Whitten began leading the company after founder and CEO Kyle Vogt stepped down after the California license suspension. The partnership with Uber is the company’s latest move under Whitten to regain public trust and establish a reliable revenue stream.

GM has not made any money off Cruise, instead seeing $5.8 billion in losses on the robotaxi service from 2021 to 2023, according to the AP. The automaker had an operating loss of $900 million on Cruise in the first half of this year.

Despite financial woes and safety missteps, Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said his company is excited about the partnership.

“We believe Uber can play an important role in helping to safely and reliably introduce autonomous technology to consumers and cities around the world,” Khosrowshahi said in a statement.

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FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2019, file photo, Cruise AV, General Motor's autonomous electric Bolt EV is displayed in Detroit. Autonomous vehicle taxis are up and running in San Francisco and the public has been invited to try one out. Employees of General Motors and its autonomous vehicle subsidiary Cruise have been testing out the service for weeks, but on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, Cruise posted a signup page for anyone to reserve a free — for now — ride in one. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

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  1. How To Use Cruise Control

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  2. Adding Cruise Control To A Car

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  3. How To Use Cruise Control In A Car EASILY! (Basics For Beginners)

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    The answer is no, not all cars come with cruise control. In fact, many older vehicles don't have it. Even some newer vehicles don't have cruise control, although this is becoming increasingly rare. With how much of a convenience this feature is, manufacturers are including it as a standard option. If you're not sure whether or not your ...

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    Locate the cruise control wiring harness in your vehicle. It is typically located under the steering column or in the engine bay. 2. Disconnect the battery negative terminal to prevent any electrical shorts. 3. Follow the instructions in the aftermarket cruise control kit to install the new cruise control system. 4.

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    Can I Add Adaptive Cruise Control to My Car? Yes, you will find aftermarket adaptive cruise control kits available. Depending on the features, they range in cost from $250 to nearly $4,000.

  6. How to Install Cruise Control in Your Car

    Step 5 - Install a Cruise Control Computer. If your car needs a new system or is not cruise control ready, then you will also need to install the cruise control computer. Normally this is near the driver's side kick panel, though the location can vary depending on the vehicle. Most cars will have studs where the computer smoothly fits over.

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  8. Adding Aftermarket Cruise Control Is Easier Than You Think

    Wiring harness: Most kits come with a wiring harness, complete with colored wires. Instructions will guide you to wire the hot and cold sides of your brake switch. Other wires connect to the ignition "run" contact and ground. A significant step is to splice into a Vehicle Speed Signal (VSS) wire. Most cars of the past 20 years have a VSS.

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  12. Can Adaptive Cruise Control Be Added Aftermarket?

    How much does it cost to add adaptive cruise control? If you want to modify a car with cruise control with all available features of factory-installed cruise control, be prepared to pay between $2000 and $2500. If you are looking for minimal cruise control that would benefit speeds of up to 20-25 miles per hour, these more basic ACCs can cost ...

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    In my return to an automatic transmission car, I didn't realize I had the new feature until about a year ago. More than 60 percent of the 2023 cars, light trucks, SUVs and vans had adaptive cruise control installed, almost triple from 2017, according to Wards Intelligence, an auto technology research company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan.

  18. How to Use Adaptive Cruise Control

    Set at Standstill. On properly equipped 2024 model year vehicles, you can set an Adaptive Cruise Control speed while you're stopped (the system must be on, you must apply the brake pedal and your vehicle must be in a forward gear). 1. Press the Set button while your foot is on the brake to turn on the feature. 2.

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    If your car or truck is the new drive-by-wire throttle system, the cruise control kit you order will already take that into account. Most of the older types of throttle systems are based on a throttle cable. You push on the gas pedal, and a cable pulls open the throttle body. This is still the majority of throttle systems available today.

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  22. How to Use Cruise Control on a Car: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

    3. Drive your car until you reach your desired speed and hit "SET.". Cruise control will set the car to hold steady at a particular speed. Once you reach the speed you want (keep an eye on your car's speedometer), push the "SET" button.

  23. How to use cruise control

    Set the cruise control: Once you've switched the system on, press the set button. This will communicate with your car to hold the current speed. In most vehicles, this will turn the dashboard indicator green. After the cruise control is set, you can remove your foot from the accelerator and the car should maintain its speed. 4.

  24. How To Use Cruise Control

    To use cruise control, you can typically press buttons on your steering wheel to activate the system, set your speed, adjust your speed up or down within the system, and deactivate the system. Using cruise control lets you set a speed for your car to maintain even if you take your foot off the gas. On long trips, it can reduce driver fatigue.

  25. GM's Cruise recalls nearly 1,200 robotaxis to close US investigation

    The NHTSA said Cruise vehicles were involved in 10 crashes, with four resulting in injuries, after analyzing hard braking data from 7,632 incidents commanded by Cruise's automated driving system.

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