Nearly every make and model of new sedans and SUVs produced today offer some type of cruise control. That wasn’t the case just 5 years ago when, even higher end cars only offered adaptive cruise control as optional.
Now, you have a choice between standard cruise control or more intelligent (distance) adaptive systems controlled by radar, lasers or sonar on base models. Whatever the flavor your car’s cruise comes equipped with, you may start asking one question at some point.
Can the cruise control technologies available today offer me savings on precious fuel costs?
Cruise control – even the basic type will save you money
The simple plain answer, yes. Even basic (non-adaptive) cruise control helps to maintain a consistent speed and reduce the amount of acceleration and deceleration, which helps to save fuel. Using your foot for braking and acceleration of your vehicle simply can’t compete with the minute calibration of your car’s computer.
Major car manufactures have known about the fuel saving possibilities of cruise control, but for whatever reasons they don’t advertise the tech as a selling point, KIA Motors acknowledged as much.
According to KIA Motors.
Cruise control can help you become more fuel-efficient and can help you save an average of 7-14% on gas thanks to its ability to maintain a continuous speed. In comparison, the constant change in acceleration and deceleration of the driver placing their foot over the pedals can eat more gas
Kia Motors
