I quit using cruise-control

[68camaro]

I have totally stopped using cruise control. Why you ask, Oh, good question.

Since I have Scangage I can monitor my mpg and ave mpg while driving, I have discovered that using cruise control costs me about 1 - 1.5 mpg, and sometimes more on hills. I think this is because with cruise off, I can manipulate speed & torque/RPM's to get best gas mieage whereas cruise control targets certain speed regardless of negative impact in regards to torgue/RPM's.

On a vehicle that averages 10 mpg 1 or 1 1/2 mpg really doesn't matter in the scheme of things, BUT it is a psychological victory to see 11 mpg on 1000 mile road trip....or 9 on trip in mountainy terrain....

[chin_k]

Can't you still want to use it in completely open road? It should be able to save you some gas, since it can maintain constant speed.... or from the way you describe it, it sounds like it still have some penalty on the MPG?

I usually use cruise control when I can, and turn it off when I see that I will need to slow down ahead.

[SMan]

I only use my cruise when on mostly flat roads as the kick down of the transmission can cause the motor to turn higher RPM's than I like when used in steeper grades. That said my mileage generally never varies beyond 10-12 mpg and will only dip into the high 9's in very mountainous terrain.

[68camaro]

I am on east coast and roads are pretty busy so with cruise on there is more abrupt braking, then when you hit resume, it's a more abrupt RPM surge to get back up to speed, even on flat ground. When I can control speed myself I can moderate the brake and then acceleration to avoid surges which helps mpg

Again we're not talking big actual differences but it is noticeable and helps reduce gas station stops a little..