How "good" is the cruise control on the 2004?

This is my first vehicle with cruise control, so I can't compare with anything else (other than a rental I had in the US for a week or two, but didn't drive much).

According to the manual, cruise works from 25mph upwards. I certainly find it effective at 30, where it enables me to watch the road instead of the speedo. I seem to get good mpg with cruise enabled, but I don't get to do more than about half a mile at a time at that speed.

 

I really like the cruise control. It seems to keep the car right at the right speed most of the time. I just wish it were a little more adaptable to hills.

 

The Prius cruise control does an excelent job of maintaining an accurate speed. I like the fact that one can fine tune-it in 1 mph increments up or down. I would prefer that the lever be mounted on the steering column instead of the steering wheel. Some folks complain that the system loses its memory below 20 mph.

 

I also like the cruise control. It keeps me near the speed limit; without it, I sometimes find myself going 75 or above. I feel it improves MPG, since it maintains a constant speed, and probably uses the system more efficiently than I would manually.

I also use it on hills. I find that the car maintains its speed, and that other vehicles (not using cruise control) slow down. I know that I would likely improve efficiency by using some momentum up the hill, but this is easier.

Going downhill, the cruise control lets me speed above the limit. I do not notice the system slowing me down in a downslope.

 

Hi folks,
The CC in the 2004 Prius is far better than any I have used before.
Obviously it takes advantage of the superior computer control already built in, not "add on" like most of the previous systems.
I particularly like the way it latches immediately to the required speed - no "hunting" like some do, especially those old vacuum operated systems!
It's true that hills will cause it to work harder, but it's easy enough to turn off/on as needed.
I used to only set the CC when on open stretches such as freeways, but I find that I am now using it at normal street speeds (60kph) in light traffic - it certainly makes for relaxed driving!
I don't understand the thinking re the positioning of the control stalk - why does it need to rotate with the steering wheel?
You wouldn't normally need to touch it during any turning action, just the opposite in fact.
The up/down increments are 1mph, which for Oz is 1.6kph, and rounds up to 2kph.
Another excellent function on the Prius.

kenmac

 

CC

The cruise control has helped my MPG tremendously; usually about 50MPG. Am still learning, 90 days and counting, the difference between a hybrid vs conventional car so I just let the CC do the work. I also find one big indirect benefit; I arrive much more relaxed at my desination.
I do agree with Ken regarding the positioning of the CC stalk; it should be permanently in a fixed position.

 

I've had cruise control on my last ten cars.

. Being a person who drives at the edge (3 to 4 mph above the speed limit) I find it better than a radar detector for keeping me from getting tickets (haven't had one in years and years.

. Being a person who often drives cross-country, I find it keeps my right leg from getting cramped (as it used to in the old days). It also allows me to pay full attention to the road; no need to watch the speedometer.

. The location of the lever is excellent on this car. On other cars I've had it's sometimes been placed where it can be confused with the turn signal lever (go to engage my turn signal and instead find myself speeding up or slowing down) or placed where it can easily be accidently bumped with knee or hand (speed changed or cc disengaged). Because I don't set it while I'm turning, having it on the wheel rather than on the shaft doesn't bother me at all.

. This is the first cc I've had where I get exactly a 1 mph speed change with each nudge. Again, no need to even check the speedometer; it's exact every time (wonderful feature).

. It holds speed virtually exactly. Sometimes though I prefer to disengage it when going up some hills where I'd rather keep the gas pedal feathered for best gas mileage even though I might lose a mph or two.

It gets an A+ in my book. It would get an A++ if the following:

. I could turn it on and it would stay on, even after stopping then restarting the car (with other cars I could do this).

. It would remember my set speed, even after bringing my car to a stop.

. I wouldn't have to re-engage it after returning from B mode to D mode (after going down steep hills).

Overall, I rate it best of all the cruise controls I've had (mainly because of it's exactness).

For what it's worth, I've checked the speed on my Prius against both radar (those 'your speed is' digital readouts that you can find on some roads), and against my hand-held GPS. It's right on; it's the most accurate speedometer readout of any car I've had. Also, unlike on other cars I've owned, it's linearly accurate regardless of speed.

 

I imagine that losing the set speed when dropping 10mph below it, or to under 25mph, is actually a Safety Feature to prevent you accidentally resuming to an inappropriately high speed if you knock the lever (perhaps my knuckles are too big?).

Similarly, when you power down (and potentially change driver), it makes sense for the CC to reset to the "off" state, so the new driver is not likely to accidentally resume when it's dangerous to do so.

One thing I find annoying is that there's no indication of state. For example, I put my foot down to overtake, but there's no reminder that when I release the throttle, I'll return to the preset speed. Or I brake to let someone pass before I pull out - but did I brake enough to cancel the set speed?

That said, I usually prefer to resume manually, taking advantage of the topography and road conditions to accelerate at a pace to suit me (and the mpg).

 

I've noticed it too. Monday I took slightly different routes on an errand. The first road had bigger hills than the second and I got several MPG higher on the less hilly road.

 

i use cruise control frequently mostly because i have never had it either and i feel that i should be better at controlling it.

i will agree with Evan that i wish there was a sensitivity adjustment of sorts and i too experience jumps in acceleration when on the many hills around here. i guess that is what you put up with when the increments of one mph is available. in fact being able to maintain constant fuel flow within a 2-4 mph range would be ideal.

 

I find the cruise to be just fine except for the amnesia under 24 mph (a minor miss). Actually, I'd love to see cruise control as a universal mandatory feature with enforced use. Yeah, I know that's a ridiculous notion but how frustrating is it to get behind someone on an accellerator pedal roller coaster? Sheesh....

 

the amnesia on the cruise control stems from the fact that its not suppose to work at speeds under 25 mph (although mine continues to work to as low as 22 mph SOMETIMES)

but i use it all the time and i think it is a major reason why i started with good mileage right away. (my first tank was 50.5 mpg)

i will agree that having it mounted to the wheel was a major mistake as sometimes i find it necessary to adjust it while on a curve (we have some hellacious curves around here especially when going through the many many hills around Western Wa) and sometimes lose track of its location. more than once i got the windshield wiper instead.

 

I find the cruise control keeps me from speeding on 25 mph streets around town. I just set it and go. The only annoyances I have...

--> I wish the visual indicator became highlighted or underlined or something, when CC is actually in use (vs. just turned on)

--> Although it is incredibly exact on flat ground, I find it extremely poor at controlling speed on real downhills. I had it set at 65 on a big and very hilly highway and was going well over 70 before I turned it off.

--> i'm sure it's just me, but I keep wanting to push the lever the wrong way to disengage. Even as I sit here I can't remember if you push it away or pull it toward you, but whichever it is I usually do the other first.

 

on mine, i push the button on the end of the stick to turn it on, a bump down to set the speed. then a push on the button on the end of the stick to turn off.

also, i no this is totally unrelated, but does anyone notice that the steering wheel seems to have more "turn" in it from wheel lock to wheel lock?. or does it just seem that way since so many of the controls are mounted to the wheel?

 

Dave,

I think erinishuman is referring to the "CANCEL" function that is engaged by pulling the cruise controller towards you.

 

on cruise controls

i think that's right.. right, Erin?

i think TM just saved some loot by using the identical control lever that my in my wife's '98 Camry.

my '97 Taurus had cruise on/off and up/down on the steering wheel, and from a usability standpoint, don't 'cha think that the driver just might use those controls more often than voicing to the route guidance lady????

my taurus' controls were also 1mph per bump, like the prius, and that works pretty well, though not too good when changing from 45mph to 35mph speed limits... :cussing:

i prefer the steering-wheel hub mounted controls, like the taurus, so i can control the cruise control even during the kinds of gentle turns on freeways without having to figure out which stick is the right one. i've wiped and washed the rear window a few times that way, too!

finally, i can go along fine with the "drop out of cruise" mode for hitting the brake or pulling the "cancel" stick, but i'd really prefer that when you hit "resume" (nudge up), it goes back to whatever speed you'd set before hitting the brakes or cancelling. seems like i always have to either cycle it off-on-set-reset to get back to the same speed. ukeright:

 

ok after reading the post, i have noticed mine does say cancel too.

i am at a loss to figure out what cancel does since the button on the stick seems to do the same thing by toggling cruise control on and off.

so what exactly does it cancel?