Cruise Control
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Cruise Control
Just curious.
If you are driving along using cruise control and go down a hill, you can feel the cruise control try to slow the car down to keep to the set speed. In some small towns in NJ this is good because the local police sit at the bottom of hills with their radar on. I assume the cruise control applies the brakes since I don't see or feel a down shift. If it does apply the brakes does it do it with or without activating the brake lights?
Maybe in the foggy conditions we have around here this week I can find out, but does anyone know. I guess, if it does apply the brakes , the system should let the driver behind know but since you are not really slowing down only 'not speeding up' maybe it doesn't.
As I said just curious.
If you are driving along using cruise control and go down a hill, you can feel the cruise control try to slow the car down to keep to the set speed. In some small towns in NJ this is good because the local police sit at the bottom of hills with their radar on. I assume the cruise control applies the brakes since I don't see or feel a down shift. If it does apply the brakes does it do it with or without activating the brake lights?
Maybe in the foggy conditions we have around here this week I can find out, but does anyone know. I guess, if it does apply the brakes , the system should let the driver behind know but since you are not really slowing down only 'not speeding up' maybe it doesn't.
As I said just curious.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
I can't find any documentation, but seat of the pants experience says, "Yes. The brakes are applied." Confirmed on a hill near our house with the speed set at 25mph. In third gear you can see the RPMs decrease when the throttle backs off and the car starts to speed up then slows down when the brakes kick in. In second gear the speed is steady because the engine braking is enough. Further confirmed on the highway when I double click from 70 to 60. The brakes definitely slow the car. No clue if the brake lights come on.
Use your rear fog light in reduced visibility regardless.
Wayne
Use your rear fog light in reduced visibility regardless.
Wayne
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
No idea on brake lights, but in the mountains here I can confirm it IS the brakes. The MB holding speed on some steep 35mph downhills, I had to downshift to 2 to hold speed with engine braking.
It's useful for Europe where they have "average speed" cameras that click you going into and out of a known distance, and ticket you if your average speed is over the limit. Kinda sneaky when there's a downhill in that area. If you set the MB for 50, it will use downshifting and brakes to hold 50.
My wife's Jag has a similar feature, but you have to hit the button (called "Automatic Speed Limiter"). MB does it itself, to maintain your set speed.
It's useful for Europe where they have "average speed" cameras that click you going into and out of a known distance, and ticket you if your average speed is over the limit. Kinda sneaky when there's a downhill in that area. If you set the MB for 50, it will use downshifting and brakes to hold 50.
My wife's Jag has a similar feature, but you have to hit the button (called "Automatic Speed Limiter"). MB does it itself, to maintain your set speed.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 9
From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
On my 07 ML, the brake lights illuminate if I use the cruise to drop the speed more than 5MPH, or maybe 10MPH? Say from 70 to 60MPH. Visible on dark roadways if you watch the rear view mirror. Neat feature.
My assumption is the same feature would be on the GLK as the systems work the same way.
As for illuminating the brake lights when it is "holding" the cruise speed, I would guess no as there is no dramatic speed reduction from "x" to "y", because the system is just maintaining "x"
My assumption is the same feature would be on the GLK as the systems work the same way.
As for illuminating the brake lights when it is "holding" the cruise speed, I would guess no as there is no dramatic speed reduction from "x" to "y", because the system is just maintaining "x"
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Thanks dgturbo. I knew it used the brakes but was wondering if it indicated to the driver behind you that you were using them. From your post it appears that the brake system has a pressure switch or is electronically connected for the brake light circuit not just a mechanical switch on the brake pedal or pedal linkage.
If you were towing a trailer, slowing down with only the transmission would not be a prudent thing. You would want to activate trailer brakes if the trailer had them.
If you were towing a trailer, slowing down with only the transmission would not be a prudent thing. You would want to activate trailer brakes if the trailer had them.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
I wasn't aware of this feature in the cruise control. Very cool!
We frequently traverse a long 6% grade. Going up is no problem, but I've been in the habit of manually selecting 5th gear on the way down to keep the speed around 65 without dragging the brakes. Works well, but it appears the CC can do a better job! Thanks! (and even after 11 months of ownership, I'm sure there are still many cool things I have yet to learn about this awesome vehicle).
3.5L (not bored)
We frequently traverse a long 6% grade. Going up is no problem, but I've been in the habit of manually selecting 5th gear on the way down to keep the speed around 65 without dragging the brakes. Works well, but it appears the CC can do a better job! Thanks! (and even after 11 months of ownership, I'm sure there are still many cool things I have yet to learn about this awesome vehicle).
3.5L (not bored)
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2010 GLK 4Matic
Cruise control braking
Just curious.
If you are driving along using cruise control and go down a hill, you can feel the cruise control try to slow the car down to keep to the set speed. In some small towns in NJ this is good because the local police sit at the bottom of hills with their radar on. I assume the cruise control applies the brakes since I don't see or feel a down shift. If it does apply the brakes does it do it with or without activating the brake lights?
Maybe in the foggy conditions we have around here this week I can find out, but does anyone know. I guess, if it does apply the brakes , the system should let the driver behind know but since you are not really slowing down only 'not speeding up' maybe it doesn't.
As I said just curious.
If you are driving along using cruise control and go down a hill, you can feel the cruise control try to slow the car down to keep to the set speed. In some small towns in NJ this is good because the local police sit at the bottom of hills with their radar on. I assume the cruise control applies the brakes since I don't see or feel a down shift. If it does apply the brakes does it do it with or without activating the brake lights?
Maybe in the foggy conditions we have around here this week I can find out, but does anyone know. I guess, if it does apply the brakes , the system should let the driver behind know but since you are not really slowing down only 'not speeding up' maybe it doesn't.
As I said just curious.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 31
From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
X2....what he said above . I could care less about possibly 'overspeeding' on a steep downgrade, PITA. The cruise is a little different between kms and mph. In Canada, setting your cruise for ,say, 110 Kms, bump the stick once, and you're at 120 (Yes, I know a light bump will increase 1 km. When I switch to mph for my Florida winter... I really enjoy the 5mph bump.... It seems the 10 km bump seems high... even tough it's only about 6-7 mph hit!
Maybe it's just me!
Maybe it's just me!
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
The is a stretch of 513 in New Jersey (yes its Pittstown) where the local gens d'armes sit at the bottom of a hill just knowing that you will be going 55 by the time you get to the bottom if you started at 45, the speed limit, at the top. This is one of their local money makers and they do use radar. The cruise control has kept me ticket free for the last few years in this area by keeping the old GLK within ±5 mph of the limit. I have seen several others fall victim on this stretch of road. A little miss-attention here can cost $100, so I appreciate it.
In other areas a slight inward tap on the cruise control turns it off at the top of the hill and a pull resets it at the bottom.
In other areas a slight inward tap on the cruise control turns it off at the top of the hill and a pull resets it at the bottom.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
2010 GLK 350 4MATIC
I hate that my GLK cruise control applies the brakes when on a downgrade.. Wastes energy and fuel. Many other cars allow freewheeling on downgrades, and those drivers will be on your tail when your car brakes! Please tell me there is some way to defeat this limiting feature?!!
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
Fj cruiser 2014 GLK250
X2....what he said above . I could care less about possibly 'overspeeding' on a steep downgrade, PITA. The cruise is a little different between kms and mph. In Canada, setting your cruise for ,say, 110 Kms, bump the stick once, and you're at 120 (Yes, I know a light bump will increase 1 km. When I switch to mph for my Florida winter... I really enjoy the 5mph bump.... It seems the 10 km bump seems high... even tough it's only about 6-7 mph hit!
Maybe it's just me!
Maybe it's just me!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
Neither was I; it's good to know.
What's not cool, however, is that stupid control on the steering column; I occasionally hit it instead of the turn signal!
MB has used that design since at least the late 1960s; it's time for an upgrade...
What's not cool, however, is that stupid control on the steering column; I occasionally hit it instead of the turn signal!
MB has used that design since at least the late 1960s; it's time for an upgrade...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
2014 GLK250 BlueTEC, 2012 BMW 335is Conv.
They swapped the cruise and turn signal stalks recently, for 2013 I believe. The apparent opposite of you, I thought the old positions were better and I never hit the wrong stalk. Now that they moved them, I always hit the wrong stalk. I guess I'll eventually get used to it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,119
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Only thing I don't like about the benz cruise control is it eats up the brakes and rotors fast when your route is full of hills as it always applies brakes constantly to maintain the speed.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
They swapped the cruise and turn signal stalks recently, for 2013 I believe. The apparent opposite of you, I thought the old positions were better and I never hit the wrong stalk. Now that they moved them, I always hit the wrong stalk. I guess I'll eventually get used to it.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Wyoming
2013 GLK250 BlueTec
I hate that my GLK cruise control applies the brakes when on a downgrade.. Wastes energy and fuel. Many other cars allow freewheeling on downgrades, and those drivers will be on your tail when your car brakes! Please tell me there is some way to defeat this limiting feature?!!
