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Prius c one - do I need cruise control

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by lbgal, Jul 21, 2014.

  1. lbgal

    lbgal Junior Member

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    Shopping for 2014 prius c and found out one has no cruise control.

    Sales person says I don't need it since the hybrid is made to be fuel efficient with or without cruise control.

    Is this true?

    Driving in SOCal, mostly flat, using A/C with 65% highway driving
     
  2. DKTVAV

    DKTVAV Active Member

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    I don't remember when was the last time I use cruise control. All my vehicles I've used have cruise control and I'm living in SoCal.
     
  3. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    For me, the argument for cruise isn't about fuel economy, its not having a sore ankle after a 6 hour drive. If you drive a lot of highway that doesn't have too much traffic, I would get a car with cruise.

    Does your current car have cruise? If so, do you use it?
     
    C Clay and ftl like this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That salesman is not being helpful, just trying to make a sale (not that that's unusual). His statements on CC are purely to nudge you in that direction, no semblance to helpful guidance. Something to keep in mind if he happens to open his mouth again, lol.

    Regarding Cruise Control, you can do without it, but it's useful. It'll actually help with mpg on level roads, it's pretty good.

    +1 on vskid3's last paragraph above.
     
  5. Spock

    Spock Junior Member

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    never have used it in my life, I have strong calves :D but one thing that did annoy me about the C is the small gas pedal. I'm going to upgrade it at some point for comfort's sake. Not that I'm some giant man, but it is easily the smallest I've dealt with and can be annoying to hold down for long periods of time. :coffee:
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's a personal decision. i haven't purchased a car without cruise since i drove my '72 fiat 123 to south carolina and back. my dogs were talking' to me!
     
    #6 bisco, Jul 21, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2014
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Back when CC was a mechanical system, including it in a vehicle was a true cost but this is 2014 where throttle control is fly-by-wire (software) for most cars; especially hybrids. Deleting it as a "cost cutting" measure is pure BS! Nissan does the same thing with their base model Leaf S.
     
  8. Habnar

    Habnar Junior Member

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    Cruise control is only good for flat roads. You would want to control the throttle on hills for maximum fuel economy.
     
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  9. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    I have no problem controlling the CC on downhills when it's engaged. You can either give it a little gas to engage coast, or let it get regen to maintain current speed.
     
  10. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

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    I did want to mention that at least one person installed a cruise control kit on a C1 on these forums.
     
  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    If you are buying Toyota's City car to drive in the city, you don't need cruise control. If you are mistakenly buying the Prius C for city to drive on the open road, you will want it.
     
  12. mark schofield

    mark schofield Junior Member

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    isn't CC an option for the 2 and up? And you get the 60/40 rear seat, 6 way adjustable front drivers seat(good for me giving ex tar leg room) and something else. For $1k more. The CC is nice for me but not necessary. The extra room with the front seat made me go with the 2.
     
  13. lbgal

    lbgal Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone for feedback. $600 to $1ooo more. It should be standard even on base ...I agree. Was totally shocked when found out one did not have it. I think I will miss it because I am so used to it on the CA freeways on trips over an hour - which I do maybe once a month.

    I have always used cruise control to manage my gas usage. So, I guess the question really is how much of a difference it makes on a hybrid that uses it's own internal system to manage my gas usage.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    when you're on the highway, cruise or no cruise will have negligible effect on mpg's, unless you can't seem to control your foot to any extent. california highways usually have their own speed control.:cool:
     
  15. mahout

    mahout Active Member

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    True the Prius c is mpg efficient with or without cruise control.
    But cruise control was developed to reduce driver effort and make driving more efficient and safer.
    If you play with the throttle a ot it is doubtful your mpg is as good as with cruise control.
     
  16. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

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    If you live in socal...chances of you getting to use cruise control on socal highways are pretty slim (due to ever changing mass amounts of traffic). I live in cencal and on my trips to socal, I can easily cruise control up until the grapevine, then traffic just pretty much dictates a changing speed environment every so often (so kind of pointless to use cruise control)...and who uses cruise control for city driving? too much traffic lights/stops

    so you can live without cruise control fine...the thing that gets me on the C1 is the front seats and the nonsplit folding back seat, other than that I rarely even use cruise control
     
  17. kndy

    kndy Member

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    Sorry for posting on an older topic but having purchased base...I thought I would be fine without CC, without the arm rest and without the 60/40 rear seats. But now I so wish I went for the C2.

    I guess when I go cycling or running miles and then you get back into the car, while most of my driving is in the city, there is typically a stretch of 35 minutes where CC is useful. Especially when you don't want to overspeed with many HWP waiting around (which is so common here in Cali).

    But as for the CC...I have had cars that haven't had it in the past and cars that do have it. I find it very useful!
     
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  18. pulltab

    pulltab Junior Member

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    Speaking of CC for the One, I understand you cannot simply install the equipment purchased on Amazon or other distributors, something to do with a rogue ground wire that has to be connected down the steering column shaft...

    Anyone have any more info on this?
     
  19. kndy

    kndy Member

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    Not sure, but I called the dealer and they have someone who will add cruise control to my vehicle for $500. So, I'll probably go ahead and do it next month.
     
  20. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    You realize the price difference between a 1 and a 2 is about $500. You might be better off selling the 1 and getting a 2.