Cruise control

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:43 pm

I wasn't that fussed about it untill I had a car with it fitted. Now it is top of my wish list.

Benefits:
Keeps your licence safe.
Its nice to strech your ankle on a long run.
It saves time by not letting your speed keep dropping.
It can save fuel by being more consistent.
It's a gadget.
It's especially handy in long dual carriageway 30's.
The resume function is nice after a roundabout.

I can't see any down sides - you don't have to switch it on when you don't want it. At £75 it's a bargain.

Glynanderson · Post by **Glynanderson** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:19 pm

The basic unit seems to come with everything you need.
There's a .pdf file for installation here
http://www.i-t-m.org/unterseiten/einbau ... en.htm#GRA
The English starts at page 37ish.
They also do a tyre pressure monitor ( Reifendruck-Kontrollsystem), which I like the sound of (I love gadgets)
I think I'll get a cruise control unit when funds allow.

Post by **Simon Jones** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:33 pm

Cruise control is a great bit of kit - it even gets used just pottering around town. Here's a few pics:

alphabetter · Post by **alphabetter** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:10 pm

Interesting. I've had cruise control on my last three cars but only used it a few times. Unless the road is dead straight I don't find being locked in to the same speed very natural.

Dave up north · Post by **Dave up north** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:16 pm

I love it, but Erin agrees with you Alpha

mick · Post by **mick** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:10 pm

I was always told that cruise control used more fuel

The constant throttle adjustments to maintain the set speed was not the best way to drive economically.

Anyone done any mpg checks with cruise control ? Actually thinking about it, that may be difficult, as normally you wouldn't necessarily be striving for such a constant speed.

Dave up north · Post by **Dave up north** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:31 pm

I work for a highways maintenance company and as we lost 6 men last year, we get disciplined for speeding through roadworks.
So I set my cruise to 49mph in a roadworks limit and cruise through with confidence.
My fuel consumption doesnt suffer and my job is safe, as is my licence.

The only time the fuel consumption will be higher is that when travelling without it, say you are doing about 70mph, then you come to a hill, your speed will drop off a little. With cruise, the car feeds a bit more fuel in to maintain 70.
But on the flip side of this, without cruise, when you get over the hill, the speed can tend to creep up and before you notice it, the car is doing 75. With cruise the throttle shuts down and prevents this.

To summerise, cruise isnt for everyone, but it can be a blessing for some of us. If you suffer from bad circulation, have you ever got pins and needles in your throttle leg? Cruise can help, because you can move your leg to exercise the bloodflow. But for those who are a little unsure about driving in the first place, it can feel as though the vehicle is a little out of control.

I drive a lot of plant with hand throttles, so I guess I am used to it.

And at the end of the day, if it gets too scary for you, you only need to press off button or brake or clutch and its switched off.

Fredanz · Post by **Fredanz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:19 am

Had one in my previous car; wonderful thing - I ended up using it incessantly, including around town. Saves effort and tickets, all at the same time.

It does feel odd/unusual to feel it powering up a small bridge hump or rise where you would normally just let the speed slacken off, but once you get used to that, it's great all the way.

I just ordered a W50 from the Ebay folks; shocking price to ship it to NZ but can't seem to find 'em here.

BTW, the person who said the Ebay 99 quid price was really in Euro - where did you notice that? Because when I did the Buy Now, it was 99 pounds all the way... sigh.

Fredanz · Post by **Fredanz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:23 am

keefysher wrote:Fredanz

I think you got charged for translation
The ebay item 330132191969 is EUR 99.00
The ebay item 160128161970 is £99.00

I must have missed the former in my eagerness. Not to worry, quick service, it's already en route.

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:28 pm

Thanks for all your help. I have just ordered one via the German site and await it's arrival.

I often get joint pain and while the bongo is more comfortable than most to drive, I am looking forward to being able to move about more, stretch my leg (& knee) and maybe even go and make a cup of coffee in the back while the cruise control takes over

.

Does the fitting time of 3-5 hours relate to an expert fitting it or should I take the time and mulitply it by 4 to account for my limited experience in such installations? I will be seeking help from others that have more knowledge but as my wife says, when I estimate it will take an hour to fix something, she doesn't expect to see me finished within 4 hours

!

Cheers

Post by **westonwarrior** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:37 pm

I know your joking but

Did ya hear about the american that bought a Winnebago and crashed it on cruise control

In November 2000 Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32 foot Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having joined the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly the Winnie left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in the handbook that he couldn't actually do this. He was awarded $1,750,000 plus a new Winnie. (Winnebago actually changed their handbooks on the back of this court case, just in case there are any other complete morons buying their vehicles.)

I think you are refering to this but just in case

alphabetter · Post by **alphabetter** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:04 pm

westonwarrior wrote:Did ya hear about the american that bought a Winnebago and crashed it on cruise control

In November 2000 Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32 foot Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having joined the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly the Winnie left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in the handbook that he couldn't actually do this. He was awarded $1,750,000 plus a new Winnie. ...

An urban myth. Sorry.

Fredanz · Post by **Fredanz** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:05 am

mikeonb4c wrote:I'd point out the inconsistency to the vendor

Different vendors, so it was my own lookout. If it had been the same vendor, I would certainly have raised it.

Post by **Simon Jones** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:07 am

Matt&JoyBongling, I reckon half a day is about right. It's tricky to say, I've had several bits of trim off a few times & it in usually much quicker the second time round. It also depends whether you have a selection of basic tools & are quite handy at using them. The Waeco kit comes with the allen key to connect the throttle actuator, but you will need to supply the following:

Cross head screwdriver
Pliers
10mm spanner (& possibly a few others)
Cable ties
Insulating tape
Wire strippers
Knife

I also took the time to make a nice blanking plate to mount the control in the hole where there was space for 3 switches. I also made a plate to mount the control unit into a spare nut under the dashboard.

Personally, I like the time to fit something right & make a neat job (even if its hidden from view), but if I had to do a second one, I reckon 2 - 3 hours would be achievable.

Matt&JoyBongling · Post by **Matt&JoyBongling** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:13 am

Thanks. I have removed the trim previously to bypass the need for a key in the ignition to operate the radio and blinds + to install a switch so that some of the beeping noises can be switched off, so that bit should be easier. The mounting plate looks need in the pictures - I guess that will take some time to sort out.

I will report back in a couple of weeks time when I have had time to install it on a free Saturday.

Cheers