Cruise Control Outta Control?

Skarka · 07-01-2005, 04:06 AM

My previous car (96 Saturn) did a good job keeping it's speed with cruise control. I've noticed my '04 Prius does not hold it's speed going down hill. It doesn't even seem to try.

Is this an aspect of the hybrid motor?

DanMan32 · 07-01-2005, 02:42 PM

The CC will reduce your speed as much as it would for drag. In other words, it doesn't apply any more braking force than regen does for engine drag emulation. You can observe what it's doing from the energy screen.

Other cars without regen braking won't slow you down any more than letting go completely off the throttle, except for really sophisticated make/models, of which I doubt a '96 Saturn would be one. But then, you didn't specify the model.

Sean & Ian · 07-01-2005, 02:59 PM

CC on my 05 Prius handles slowing down pretty well, as long as the downhill is not steep and not too long. I did notice last weekend, however, that for a looooooong downhill stretch, CC couldn't keep it to the set speed, thereby gaining too much speed. I guess you just have to watch it even if you use CC :wink:

Frank Hudon · 07-01-2005, 03:08 PM

when your on a long down hill check the energy screen if the battery if all full there is no more regen. That's the time to use B mode, be advised that it'll cancel the cruise control. Once the battery is 80% charged the regen system has no where to put the output, by shifting into B mode the ICE is used as a brake

KMO · 07-01-2005, 03:09 PM

It does apply more drag than without CC. Try it sometime going downhill under CC. Turn the CC off and the car will surge forward.

mehrenst · 07-01-2005, 05:04 PM

My cruise control speed needs to be reset everytime I stop. Is that normal? I'm use to the speed remaining set (Detroit Iron) and just wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

Frank Hudon · 07-01-2005, 05:11 PM

normal

pcjr · 07-03-2005, 12:30 PM

I really don't understand what the B gear is about.
Why would someone drive in B mode? Any benefits to the hybrid system or in driving performance?

Quote:

when your on a long down hill check the energy screen if the battery if all full there is no more regen. That's the time to use B mode, be advised that it'll cancel the cruise control. Once the battery is 80% charged the regen system has no where to put the output, by shifting into B mode the ICE is used as a brake

Frank Hudon · 07-03-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

I really don't understand what the B gear is about.
Why would someone drive in B mode? Any benefits to the hybrid system or in driving performance?

Quote:

when your on a long down hill check the energy screen if the battery if all full there is no more regen. That's the time to use B mode, be advised that it'll cancel the cruise control. Once the battery is 80% charged the regen system has no where to put the output, by shifting into B mode the ICE is used as a brake

have a look thru these posts, it'll help you understand the time to use "B" and when not to. It's from my 2k3 but is still relavent to the HSD. The drive down the mountain will illustrate when to use B.

tochatihu · 07-04-2005, 09:01 AM

For the 2001-2003 Prius, the cruise control will function in "B" driving mode, and quite well IMHO. In the 2004 and following, shifting to "B" disables cruise control I have heard. I don't know why this change was made - does anyone else?

07-01-2005, 04:06 AM	#1
Skarka Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 22 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Cruise Control Outta Control? My previous car (96 Saturn) did a good job keeping it's speed with cruise control. I've noticed my '04 Prius does not hold it's speed going down hill. It doesn't even seem to try. Is this an aspect of the hybrid motor?

07-01-2005, 02:59 PM	#3
Sean & Ian Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New England Posts: 48 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Cruise Control Outta Control? CC on my 05 Prius handles slowing down pretty well, as long as the downhill is not steep and not too long. I did notice last weekend, however, that for a looooooong downhill stretch, CC couldn't keep it to the set speed, thereby gaining too much speed. I guess you just have to watch it even if you use CC :wink:

07-01-2005, 05:04 PM	#6
mehrenst Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 411 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Cruise Control Outta Control? My cruise control speed needs to be reset everytime I stop. Is that normal? I'm use to the speed remaining set (Detroit Iron) and just wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

07-04-2005, 09:01 AM	#10
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,411 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Cruise Control Outta Control? For the 2001-2003 Prius, the cruise control will function in "B" driving mode, and quite well IMHO. In the 2004 and following, shifting to "B" disables cruise control I have heard. I don't know why this change was made - does anyone else?

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07-01-2005, 02:42 PM	#2
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The CC will reduce your speed as much as it would for drag. In other words, it doesn't apply any more braking force than regen does for engine drag emulation. You can observe what it's doing from the energy screen. Other cars without regen braking won't slow you down any more than letting go completely off the throttle, except for really sophisticated make/models, of which I doubt a '96 Saturn would be one. But then, you didn't specify the model.

07-01-2005, 03:08 PM	#4
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	when your on a long down hill check the energy screen if the battery if all full there is no more regen. That's the time to use B mode, be advised that it'll cancel the cruise control. Once the battery is 80% charged the regen system has no where to put the output, by shifting into B mode the ICE is used as a brake

07-01-2005, 03:09 PM	#5
KMO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 936 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: T Spirit Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	It does apply more drag than without CC. Try it sometime going downhill under CC. Turn the CC off and the car will surge forward.

07-01-2005, 05:11 PM	#7
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	normal