Does using cruise control increase fuel economy? Save gas?

Question

I have heard that if you commonly use cruise control you will increase your fuel economy. Has anyone actually tried this? Is it true? What percentage of mpg is increased?

Answer 1

It depends on how you drive, but generally on hills a driver can give a little acceleration beforehand and not drop a gear on athe incline; something cruise control can't. Generally, you'll notice in hilly areas cruise control results in more downshifts, higher RPMs, and therefore more gas consumption.

However, on the interstate, the consistancy of the computer enables an overall lower average RPM and better fuel efficiency. Once again, totally dependant on the driver but this is generally the case. Basically it depends on the terrain you drive.

I don't have to sweat it though. I get terrible mileage and I don't have cruise control ;)

Answer 2

Cruise control can increase your gas milage on level highway by keeping the gas pedal and throttle position steady. You can do as well if you can keep your foot steady on the gas pedal.. In the hills cruise control will probably not help because it will try to keep you at the set speed and so will be opening and closing often. Do not try to save gas by using cruise control in town and don't try to use it on icy roads (things are just too unpredictable)

Answer 3

Used as recommended in the owner's manual cruise control usually increases fuel economy.

Answer 4

Using youy CC at speed limit will save you gas, unless you use it on hilly terrain.

One of my vehicles drives at 17 mpg combined, 23 Hwy without CC.

Recently started to comute 100 miles a day 60 mph on cruise. Mileage jumped to 30 mpg. more than I expected.

Answer 5

I don't think there is a definitive answer to this. I use mine all the time when I am on the highway because I believe it does in fact save gas. It maintains a continuous and correct flow of gas to maintain your speed. Whereas, if I am driving without it, I tend to slow down, step on the gas to pick up, etc., and I think that uses more gas. I don't think it is a significant savings though, but IMO it is a better way to travel, in that it is more economical (though minimally) and better ecologically. Also, it might help to save a ticket. FWIW.

Answer 6

it does help a little bit in the fact that without the cruise on, you have a tendency to let off and push down on the pedal. slowing down and speeding up uses a little more gas than keeping it at a constant speed with the cruise.
I'm going to say it's probably less than 1 or 2 % difference though.

Answer 7

I disagree with the statement that CC is LESS eficient. CC does not constantly apply fuel, it acts the same as your foot, except is more accurate. It only applies fuel as necessary to maintain speed. I see so many people on the freeway that dont use CC and its obvious. As they drive, their speed constantly changes. When you try to pass, they speed up without realizing it. Then they slow down and have to apply even more fuel to speed back up again. I get better economy with the CC on although I couldnt say exactly how much better it is.

At any rate, people who use CC are much less annoying on the road then those people who cant seem to make up their mind how fast they want to drive.

Answer 8

CC will cause you to have a worse fuel efficency, as the gas is constantly applyed, as to letting the vehicle "drift" with your foot of teh gas, and applying it to maintain speed as needed. I'm not sure on the percentage value, but it will very from vehicle to vehilce. I know on our van, CC will cause about 150KM less on a tank of gas then without using it on the long trips.

Answer 9

actually cruize improves efficancy because cruize applys a constant speed and set of gas when you have your foot on the gas you constantly increase and decrease speed which makes the engine change revs and that makes it use more gas.

Answer 10

setting it at the speed your supposed to go will save you from getting a ticket not to save gas. LOL