Awesome Cruise control features, who knew!!???
06-21-2012, 01:53 PM
#26
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06-21-2012, 02:51 PM
#27
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Good question. Just looking at the photo, it's difficult to determine what the condition of the truck was prior to impact. I don't see anything resembling a bar mixed in with all that fiberglass. That proves nothing, though. It may well be there.
I am about as far removed from being an expert on this as it's possible for anyone to be, but accident reconstruction has always been a bit fascinating to me. So, I made a quick phone call and did a brief bit of "research."
I was told that underride bar failures are being observed. I was further told that the U.S. standard for truck underride bars is considered by at least one leading national insurance institute as inadequate. I then found this: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr030111.html
My buddy put it this way, "If you're going to be a dumb s!*t and text while doing high speed driving, do it in Canada. Their underride bar standards are closer to adequate. Ours ain't!"
I am about as far removed from being an expert on this as it's possible for anyone to be, but accident reconstruction has always been a bit fascinating to me. So, I made a quick phone call and did a brief bit of "research."
I was told that underride bar failures are being observed. I was further told that the U.S. standard for truck underride bars is considered by at least one leading national insurance institute as inadequate. I then found this: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr030111.html
My buddy put it this way, "If you're going to be a dumb s!*t and text while doing high speed driving, do it in Canada. Their underride bar standards are closer to adequate. Ours ain't!"
06-21-2012, 03:11 PM
#28
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OMG, that Corvette is stuck in lol 
06-23-2012, 12:13 PM
#30
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2016 GLE 4MATIC
CC is awesome. However, I disengage when it rains. I could be wrong (and I have no mechanical background) but I read somewhere that since rain can cause hydroplaning, when you engage your car in CC, and your car hydroplanes - I dont know. I dont even know what can happen. Better of disengaging it.
08-31-2013, 04:49 PM
#31
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2020 E450 Coupe, 2022 Porsche Macan, 2001 Porsche 911
I really like the feature of the car really slowing down to reach the set speed on cruise control, especially if I'm passing someone and want to quickly return to the set speed in cruise control.
but I have a question about that: is the car using the brakes or is it downshifting? If its using the brakes, then the unfortunate part is that, to people behind me, it would seem like I'm hitting the brakes for no reason.
Does anyone know how the rapid speed reduction takes place?
but I have a question about that: is the car using the brakes or is it downshifting? If its using the brakes, then the unfortunate part is that, to people behind me, it would seem like I'm hitting the brakes for no reason.
Does anyone know how the rapid speed reduction takes place?
08-31-2013, 07:49 PM
#32
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I really like the feature of the car really slowing down to reach the set speed on cruise control, especially if I'm passing someone and want to quickly return to the set speed in cruise control.
but I have a question about that: is the car using the brakes or is it downshifting? If its using the brakes, then the unfortunate part is that, to people behind me, it would seem like I'm hitting the brakes for no reason.
Does anyone know how the rapid speed reduction takes place?
but I have a question about that: is the car using the brakes or is it downshifting? If its using the brakes, then the unfortunate part is that, to people behind me, it would seem like I'm hitting the brakes for no reason.
Does anyone know how the rapid speed reduction takes place?
I think it applies brakes if your speed is enough faster than your cruise set point is.
This same thing happens when you lower the speed set point with the cruise on. If you do it slowly just 5 mph at the time the car slows down without showing the brake lights. I guess it mimics the engine braking but I believe it still applies the brakes. Not sure though.
If you change the speed set point down quickly like three 15 mph (3 hits on the stalk) the car will slow down much faster and will also show the brake lights.
09-01-2013, 03:40 PM
#33
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Using cruise always saves gas because computer can adjust to changes in need for fuel far, far quicker than the human mind and foot can. This is especially true on interstates and other roads with higher speeds.
Of course, cruise should not be used for stop and go, city, etc. type driving.
Of course, cruise should not be used for stop and go, city, etc. type driving.
Last edited by El Cid; 09-01-2013 at 03:44 PM.
09-01-2013, 04:57 PM
#34
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I use mine so much the stalk is starting to 'click' a little bit
09-01-2013, 05:28 PM
#35
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Using cruise always saves gas because computer can adjust to changes in need for fuel far, far quicker than the human mind and foot can. This is especially true on interstates and other roads with higher speeds.
Of course, cruise should not be used for stop and go, city, etc. type driving.
Of course, cruise should not be used for stop and go, city, etc. type driving.
Wrong.
If you want to save gas especially on a highway you will not want to use the cruise control, absolutely not.
Cruise control does not hurt if you drive down hill or on flat but if you really want to save gas you would run the car with constant throttle position going up hill. This, of course means that the car will slow down depending on how steep the climb is. Cruise controll will immediately open up the throttle for keeping the speed at the setpoint.
It would be a nice feature if someone would build a cruise control that would keep throttle opening as is before an up hill and allow the car to slow down. It would then keep the speed going down hill, i.e. close the throttle.
I have done this many times on my long highway trips and it makes a big improvement in fuel consumption if you let the car slow down going up hill but you don't want to do this in traffic. You don't want someone on your back bumper when the car slows down.
Would be a nice feature to have as an option operation mode with the cruise as on long trips there can be plenty of short hills, like over passes where it does not matter if the speed goes down for a few mph for a half minute or so. But as you watch that fuel economy meter it makes a big difference there.
Try and see it. Take cruise off and keep your gas pedal constant going over those over passes. Your mpg does not go down almost at all but you sacrifice small amount of speed. Then lift the foot on the other side so you don't go too fast and the mpg goes way up until you are on flat again and you need to press to keep the speed you was going.
09-03-2013, 03:20 PM
#36
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
WRONG
Wrong.
If you want to save gas especially on a highway you will not want to use the cruise control, absolutely not.
Cruise control does not hurt if you drive down hill or on flat but if you really want to save gas you would run the car with constant throttle position going up hill. This, of course means that the car will slow down depending on how steep the climb is. Cruise controll will immediately open up the throttle for keeping the speed at the setpoint.
It would be a nice feature if someone would build a cruise control that would keep throttle opening as is before an up hill and allow the car to slow down. It would then keep the speed going down hill, i.e. close the throttle.
I have done this many times on my long highway trips and it makes a big improvement in fuel consumption if you let the car slow down going up hill but you don't want to do this in traffic. You don't want someone on your back bumper when the car slows down.
Would be a nice feature to have as an option operation mode with the cruise as on long trips there can be plenty of short hills, like over passes where it does not matter if the speed goes down for a few mph for a half minute or so. But as you watch that fuel economy meter it makes a big difference there.
Try and see it. Take cruise off and keep your gas pedal constant going over those over passes. Your mpg does not go down almost at all but you sacrifice small amount of speed. Then lift the foot on the other side so you don't go too fast and the mpg goes way up until you are on flat again and you need to press to keep the speed you was going.
If you want to save gas especially on a highway you will not want to use the cruise control, absolutely not.
Cruise control does not hurt if you drive down hill or on flat but if you really want to save gas you would run the car with constant throttle position going up hill. This, of course means that the car will slow down depending on how steep the climb is. Cruise controll will immediately open up the throttle for keeping the speed at the setpoint.
It would be a nice feature if someone would build a cruise control that would keep throttle opening as is before an up hill and allow the car to slow down. It would then keep the speed going down hill, i.e. close the throttle.
I have done this many times on my long highway trips and it makes a big improvement in fuel consumption if you let the car slow down going up hill but you don't want to do this in traffic. You don't want someone on your back bumper when the car slows down.
Would be a nice feature to have as an option operation mode with the cruise as on long trips there can be plenty of short hills, like over passes where it does not matter if the speed goes down for a few mph for a half minute or so. But as you watch that fuel economy meter it makes a big difference there.
Try and see it. Take cruise off and keep your gas pedal constant going over those over passes. Your mpg does not go down almost at all but you sacrifice small amount of speed. Then lift the foot on the other side so you don't go too fast and the mpg goes way up until you are on flat again and you need to press to keep the speed you was going.
Not to mention, as you pointed out, that this causes your vehicle to speed up and slow down while other thraffic remains at a consistent, safe speed.
BTW, I drive in hilly areas and have proven for many, many years that cruise gets me better MPG.
09-03-2013, 04:01 PM
#37
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Every organization (and person I know) that has tested cruise has reported increased fuel economy using cruise, especially going up and down hills. If you leave throttle where it is, you lose speed and therefore have to significantly increase throtle to gain the speed back when you crest the hill. You then have too much speed and have to lessen throtle. You are constantly adjusting the throtle up and down.
Not to mention, as you pointed out, that this causes your vehicle to speed up and slow down while other thraffic remains at a consistent, safe speed.
BTW, I drive in hilly areas and have proven for many, many years that cruise gets me better MPG.
Not to mention, as you pointed out, that this causes your vehicle to speed up and slow down while other thraffic remains at a consistent, safe speed.
BTW, I drive in hilly areas and have proven for many, many years that cruise gets me better MPG.
Cruise control is what adjusts the throttle all the time. If you drive manually your foot keeps the throttle way more constant unless you are just playing all the time.
We all have our driving habits and perhaps for you cruise control works better MPG. For me it is opposite. But I use the cruise as I'm too lazy for manual mode and I really like the Distronic.
