Does Cruise Control Save Gas?

Many of us have become accustomed to utilizing cruise control on lengthy trips. It’s a valuable function that does everything from speed-setting to automatic braking to make long travels a little bit simpler. But have you ever asked yourself, “does cruise control save gas?”

The short answer is YES. Since the cruise control function can maintain a constant pace, it can help you become more fuel-efficient and save up to 15 percent on gas.

Does Cruise Control Save Gas?

Because of its capacity to maintain a constant pace, cruise control can help you become more fuel-efficient, saving you an average of 7-14 percent on gas. The continual speeding and braking, on the other hand, can consume more gas. For instance, according to research conducted by Natural Resources Canada, when the vehicle’s speed fluctuated from 47 to 53 mph (or 75 to 85 kph) every 18 seconds, the car used 20% more gas than when the cruise control was activated. 

Remember that cruise control is only fuel-efficient when used on level roads with little traffic or even on uphill or downhill drives. Nonetheless, if you’re driving on a hill with constant changes in elevation or steep inclines, you should turn off the cruise control. High-quality cruise control systems are supposed to handle sudden climbs, but the result differs from car to car. 

Finally, the most remarkable benefit of adopting cruise control is its ability to reduce driver drowsiness while saving fuel efficiency by reducing excessive acceleration and deceleration during long-distance travel.

Is Cruise Control Harmful to Your Vehicle?

Certainly not. Acceleration burns gasoline and wears down the driveline. Thus, cruise control is beneficial to the vehicle. 

Big caveat: Cruise control should not be used in heavy rain, snow, or temperatures where ice could form. This is because any acceleration on slick surfaces or hydroplaning can cause under- or oversteer. Also, a stab at the brake pedal to unset the cruise control can result in loss of control and an accident.

Other Strategies to Save Money on Petrol 

Although cruise control saves fuel, there are numerous additional options. Here are some more suggestions to help you save money on gas:

1) Drive slowly and steadily

Test results reveal that by steadily accelerating from 0-60 in 15 seconds rather than aggressively pressing the gas pedal and speeding up in 10 seconds, you might save up to 37 percent on fuel instead of seeing it go down the drain.

2) The slower you go, the more money you save

As you may be aware, most vehicles on the freeway travel at speeds ranging from 75 to 90 miles per hour, even though the speed limit is 65 to 70 miles per hour. However, moving at such a high pace is inefficient. As mentioned above, the slower you drive, the more cost-effective you become, and you may save 12-14 percent on gas by doing so.

3) Turn it off if you aren’t using it

If you’re caught in traffic for more than a minute or two, it’s best to turn off your engine instead of driving. This easy trick can help you save up to 19 percent on your fuel costs.

Conclusion

Activate your cruise control and let the car do its job if you’re driving down the interstate and want to save gas and maybe a little more effort. Please keep your eyes on the road since these systems are not substitutes for human driving.