Ironically, modern cruise control (also known as a speedostat) was invented in 1945 by Mechanical engineer Ralph Teetor, a blind inventor. Teetor was frustrated by riding in a car driven by his lawyer, who kept speeding up and slowing down as he talked. Teetor’s system wasn’t added to a car until the 1958 Chrysler Imperial.
It’s an old debate, but it’s still valid. You often hear people arguing about whether turning on their cruise control when driving long distances on the freeway actually increases fuel economy. Does content speed really save gas? The answer is a resounding yes…and no.
Saving Gas with and without Technology
There’s no doubt that there are times when you can improve your gas mileage by using your car’s technology to maintain a steady speed, but this system works most efficiently on flat stretches of road. If you’re driving in a hilly area, you’ll often do better if you turn the control off and operate the accelerator yourself.
The reason autocruise is effective on flat roads is that drivers tend to speed up as the miles roll by, only to then have to let up on the accelerator or brake to lessen their speed. On a level surface, using your cruise control removes that speeding up and slowing down cycle, maintaining a steady speed and eliminating the need to back off the gas pedal after you have inadvertently increased your speed. If you use your cruise control on long stretches of flat freeway, you’ll most likely notice a significant increase in your miles per gallon.
There’s also a psychic benefit to using your car’s automated system on level ground. By eliminating your having to react to every little nuance as you drive, you’ll find yourself more relaxed and better able to enjoy the ride. Some studies have found mpg increases of up to 14% when using cruise control at 65 to 75 mph on a level freeway. That can add up to significant fuel savings.
Such is not the case in hilly areas. If you’re driving through mountains or sizeable hills, using your cruise control will actually reduce your gas mileage, so it’s best to use your own driving skills to speed up and slow down according to road conditions and the terrain you’re passing over.
The key to maximizing your vehicle’s fuel economy is to use your cruise control according to the type of driving you’re doing and the topography of your route. There are some times when using your cruise control makes sense (like when you’re driving a nice flat stretch of highway) and other times when it doesn’t (like when you’re driving over a mountain pass or in city traffic). Plan ahead and turn your cruise control on or off accordingly.
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