i think it saves gas, my girlfriend thinks it takes more, who do you think is right?
2007-02-02 22:54:08 · 9 answers · asked by JERRY P 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
This is just a personal observation from years of driving. Cruise control will save gas if used on level or rolling terrain. However turn it off and do it yourself on very hilly or mountainous roads...the reason being that the cruise control will do whatever it can to maintain the speed for which it's set. This means that if the cruise can't keep the speed set it will downshift the transmission and accelerate hard to get back up to speed. By nature of the car downshifting and accelerating will, by logic, use more gas, right? If you were controlling the car's speed you could anticipate slightly increasing your throttle pressure to maintain your speed before the cruise control sensed the need to do it therefore possibly saving gas. Or you would simply decrease throttle pressure...maybe slowing down a bit until you reached the top of the hill/mountain and not use as much gas as that downshift and acceleration did. I came to this conclusion from years of pulling trailers and observing how the cruise would work to maintain the set speed. Just one man's opinion.
2007-02-02 23:05:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Cruise control keeps the vehicle at a constant speed and at lower RPMs. Typically cruise control saves gas over just using the pedals. Using the pedals tends to have more of a fluctuation between speed up and slow down, thus using more gas to get back up to speed when your mind wanders and you slow down 5-10 mph and have to speed up.
2007-02-02 23:01:42 · answer #2 · answered by chris f 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A vehicle is more efficient with the cruise control set. Setting the cruise control sets the RPM curve at a near constant level thus virtually eliminating RPM fluctuations. RPM fluctuations or engine soaring and diving works against coefficients producing forward motion therefore reducing efficiency. P.S. running you AC in the summer is also more efficient than runnung windows down (running windows down creates drag that reduces efficiency) now quit fighting and email me some pics of your girl! LOL
2007-02-03 07:23:21 · answer #3 · answered by cleind3278 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct, but the savings is insignificant.
It does not require gas to operate the cruise control, they are typically run by electronic sensors, or manifold vacuum.
Air conditioning on the other hand does place a 'load' upon the engine and slightly reduces fuel economy when engaged because the engine has the additional load of driving the compressor.
2007-02-02 23:09:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am married so I have to say that women are always right! (if you want to live) My wife thinks that cruse Control is a automatic pilot and she uses it to put her makeup on and do her hair while driving. I will have to say though that yes, cruse control saves lots of gas as your throttle stays in a much more even position and it makes a big difference in fuel mileage (but you didnt hear it from me)
2007-02-03 00:13:49 · answer #5 · answered by Lots of money but no sense 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
saves gas till you hit the brakes, and have to re set it, accelerate till back up to speed that's where you burn the fuel , but all and all if on Cruise it will out do human control by a long shot
2007-02-02 23:14:46 · answer #6 · answered by Mechanical 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your on the interstate it will save you gas.
It takes more gas to keep changing speeds,Cruise control keeps you at a consistent speed.
2007-02-02 23:00:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It saves gas as you are not speeding up and slowing down, you are at a constant speed.
2007-02-03 00:56:27 · answer #8 · answered by mister ss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
less on a long stretch but that's it.
2007-02-02 23:54:57 · answer #9 · answered by fite for rite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋