Things You Should Know About Car Cruise Control

A system which would control the speed of a motor vehicle automatically is known as a cruise control. This type of system would be a servomechanism which would take over the throttle of the car so that a steady speed can be maintained by the driver of the car.

Do you want to know the essential features of cruise control? Then you have arrived at the right place. Have a look below to know the important features of cruise control:

• It should maintain safe, comfortable distance between the automobiles without the interventions of the car driver.
• Consistent performance should be maintained in inferior visibility conditions.
• Make sure that it should maintain continuous performance during road turns as well as elevation changes.
• It should alert the driver by way of automatic braking.

Are you searching how do the cruise control actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.

This type of system helps in maintaining the speed of the automobile without the direct input of the driver. The system should be turned “On” with a button or switch if you want to engage cruise control. But keep in mind that it would alone not begin the cruise control. When the cruising speed would be “Set” by you, then the current speed would be recorded by the cruise control module (CCM), and then it would take the control of the throttle body so that the speed of the vehicle can be maintained. When there would be an increase or decrease in the speed of the vehicle, then the CCM would decrease or increase the opening of the throttle body accordingly.

When the engine speed would be modulated, then your desired cruising speed would be maintained by the CCM on the highway. The speed of the cruise can be increased or decreased by tapping a button or lever. The cruise control can also be cancelled when you would hit the “Cancel” or “Off” buttons or it can also be done by stepping on the car brake.

With the passage of time, the throttle body control has changed a lot. A vacuum motor and cable were utilized in the early systems, but then they changed to the electric motors. Now as the drive-by-wire or electronic throttle control system (ETCS) developed, then the cruise control was built up into the engine control module (ECM), which would then electronically control the throttle body.

The cruise control systems which would be basic would need the car driver to pay attention to changing road as well as traffic situations. The adaptive cruise control systems are also known as "smart" cruise. Radar or laser detection is utilized by them so that safe distances can be maintained for the automobiles ahead. There are some adaptive cruise control systems which would merely decrease the speed of the car engine so that distance can be maintained, but there are some latest adaptive cruise control systems which would engage the car brakes to slow down as well as stop the automobile. But keep in mind that even with adaptive cruise control, it is very essential that the driver of the car should not take their eyes off the road.

There are a few things which might cause your cruise control to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect a bad cruise control:

1. Brake Light Switch - If you would depress the car brake, then the cruise control would be automatically cancelled. There are some automobiles which might disengage cruise control if the brake light switch would not be detected.
2. Brake Lights - There are some systems, where the cruise control would be disabled if there would be blown brake light. There can be some aftermarket lighting, like the LED brake light conversion, which might trick the CCM into thinking that there might be blown brake light. This is because the LED bulbs would draw less current than incandescent bulbs.
3. Fuses and Relays - There are some automobiles, where the fuses as well as relays are utilized to protect the cruise control actuator circuit. If there would be some flaws in the fuse or relay, then the system might not function properly.
4. Spiral Cable - The cruise control switch is mounted on the car steering wheel in a lot of vehicles. Defective spiral cable might have an open circuit, which would prevent the car switch from contacting the CCM.
5. Control Switch - The cruise control switch might not be able to contact the CCM if the internal contacts would start wearing out. Due to this the cruise control might be disabling fully or it might also not react to the cancel or accelerate functions.
6. Check Engine Light - There are some automobiles, specifically those which are equipped with ETCS, the cruise control might be disabled if there would be some issues with the car engine or the transmission.
7. Vacuum Leak - Vacuum actuators are used by some old automobiles so that they can control the throttle body during the working of the cruise control. If there would be a leakage, like the cracked hose or tube, then the system might not work properly. A leakage in the vacuum would cause the car engine to idle higher or the fuel trim code might be set.
8. Vehicle Speed Sensor - Generally, there are a lot of vehicle speed sensors (VSS) on any given automobile. A VSS feed from the ECM, instrument cluster, or transmission might be utilized by the CCM. Now if the signal would be lost, then the speed of the automobile won’t be detected by the CCM, which would disable the cruise control.
9. Electrical Problems - Generally, most of the cruise control systems utilize electrical or electronic constituents, any diagnosis should include a thorough inspection of source voltage, wiring harnesses, as well as connectors. If there would be anything which is loose or might be faulty, then it would disable the system fully.

Do you like repairing your car on your own? Thinking of opening up your own car body shop? It is a great business opportunity if you love cars and possess a good work ethic. Now if you want your shop to be successful, then you will require a combination of effort as well as car mechanic training. And of course, the correct equipment which would upgrade your speed as well as make your repair work easy. If you have the right tools, then you can easily meet the demands of today's car body structures. Here are some of the most essential tools which you might need to repair your Convertible Top.

• Cruise control switch
• Cruise control computer
• Screwdriver Torx drill bits

It is true that the brands which we use make a statement about who we are and who we are willing to be in the future. There are a number of car lovers which are emotionally attached with a specific brand for their car parts. So, if you are searching for a particular brand for your Convertible Top, then you have arrived at the right place. Have a look below: -

Do you want to change your cruise control on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the cruise control below:

Step 1 - Unhook the Battery

If there is anything which would be connected to the source of the power, then the battery cable should be unhooked. The car battery should be left unhooked for about 10 minutes so that the power would be released from the airbag system. The key should be positioned to the accessory power position so that the steering wheel would be unlocked. Now if the power would be turned off, then there would be a lot of steering wheels which might not turn. The steering wheel should be turned enough so that one of the airbag screws should face the floor.

Step 2 - Move the Airbag

Then the bolts should be unscrewed which would secure the airbag and then it should be lifted about 6 inches. Then you might be restricted by the cables as well as wires which would be connected to the airbag. Just be sure that these connections are very essential and one should be very careful that they do not pull anything out. The airbag cable connection should then be unhooked and just be careful as there would be small number of explosives in it.

Step 3 - Find the Cruise Control Connection

There would be a white connector inside the car wheel which is for the cruise control. It would be generally close to the horn mechanism. One can always inspect the vehicle’s manual if they are facing some issues in finding the cable. Then the wires should be attached.

Step 4 - Mount the Switch

Make sure that the switch should be mounted securely. There would be some brackets as well as several mounting screws. Now once it would be mounted, then the airbag should be reattached and then it should be placed back in the car steering wheel. Then the bolts should be tightened up.

Step 5 - Install a Cruise Control Computer

Now if your vehicle would require a new system or it is not ready for the cruise control, then there would be a requirement to install the cruise control computer. Generally, it would be near the driver’s side kick panel, though the location might differ based upon the automobile. There are a lot of automobiles which would have studs where the computer would fit smoothly. Generally, there is a harness which is particularly for the computer.

Step 6 - Add Other Parts as Needed

There might be requirement of sub-zero unit and an additional switch. It would be generally by the engine bay and then it would be held in place by utilizing three bolts. There might be a requirement of cruise actuator and additional cruise switches. It would be best to decide which parts you would require first so that there is everything which would be required for the cruise control.

Step 7 - Calibrating the Computer

It can be a complicated process to settle the program for the computer. Specifically, for those who would not understand programming. You might be able to get the manufacturer to calibrate the computer. There are a lot of online guides which would help you out in finding the details that you might need to calibrate the computer correctly.