Troubleshooting Your Car’s Cruise Control

The module is located under the left side of the instrument panel inside the vehicle. Cruise control does not disengage when pedal is pressed.

While placing your hand on the servo, have someone turn on the ignition and turn the cruise control switch to the On position. You should hear and feel the solenoids in the servo click. This lets you know the switch is working and that you have power to the servo.

1. Step 1 – Check the Speed Sensor. Check the speed sensor wiring and look for signs of damage.
2. Step 2 – Check the Fuse. A power surge can easily blow out the fuse of your cruise control mechanism.
3. Step 3 – Check the Vacuum Lines.
4. Step 4 – Check the Throttle Linkage.

radar sensor

Check engine light Vehicles equipped with ETCS will automatically disable cruise control if there’s a problem with the engine or transmission, so if a check engine light lights up after starting the engine, get the vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.

The cruise control fuse is normally found in the fuse panel located below the steering wheel. Remove the cover of the fuse panel and locate the fuse for the cruise control using the fuse diagram on the fuse panel. The cruise control system will be reset to the speed you are travelling when you release the knob.

Absolutely not. Acceleration that costs fuel also causes wear and tear on the driveline, so cruise control is good for the car.

Cruise control alone does not use the brakes. Adaptive braking would fall more under the “driving assist” type of category, where your vehicle reacts to its actions in its surroundings (ie, a car slams on its brakes in front of you and your car reacts or your cruise control adapts to the current speed limit).

Cruise Control. R/A is “Resume/Accelerate”.

The danger with relying on cruise control when going downhill or approaching curves is that you could lose control entirely, manufacturers say. “Do not use cruise control in heavy traffic, on winding roads or when the road surface is slippery,” states the 2015 Ford Expedition owner’s manual.

Depends on the design. Traditional cruise control only operates the throttle. It sets a minimum speed, but all it can do downhill is let off the gas. Some newer cars let it brake also.

Hill Descent Control helps your vehicle maintain a set speed as you drive downhill on an incline. So, you can use this feature when driving downhill. This is especially useful for off-road driving, where the ground can be uneven, and gaining speed on a slope can be dangerous.

What does the downhill assist control system do? If your car is equipped with the downhill assist control (DAC) system (optional equipment), you have the capability of driving down a steep grade without having to use the brakes. The system uses engine braking to prevent your vehicle from speeding up.