Cruise control on a manual may seem like something fantastic to many, but if you try, you can install such an additional function on your own car. The only thing you should think about right away is whether or not you need cruise control on your car? After all, although in general this additional function greatly simplifies the process of driving a car, it also has its drawbacks.
Is it possible to install cruise control on a manual transmission: let’s look at the technical nuances. Will cruise control work fully on a manual transmission? The process of connecting cruise control to a manual transmission when it is not provided by the manufacturer. What you will need for installation Installation process Is it worth using cruise control on a car: advantages and disadvantages of the function.
Is it possible to install cruise control on a manual transmission: let’s look at the technical nuances.
Those car enthusiasts who are wondering whether there is cruise control on a manual transmission have most likely encountered this function only on cars with an automatic transmission. Indeed, this additional function is mainly used only on cars with automatic transmission, which normally have the ability to install it.
In this case, the procedure for connecting the device will be practically no difficulty, since the car owner will only have to install it in the place provided by the manufacturer.
As for cars operating on a manual transmission and on which the possibility of installing cruise control was not provided, then a universal device can be manually installed on them.
IMPORTANT! When purchasing cruise control for a car with a manual transmission, give preference to German manufacturers whose devices are highly reliable. This will allow you to avoid unexpected breakdowns of the cruise control due to overloads, which may occur due to incomplete compatibility with the car.
Technically, a similar procedure involves the additional installation of a bracket and an additional cable to the accelerator pedal, with the help of which it will be possible to control the speed of the car. Cruise control on the mechanics also involves installing a device control button at the bottom of the deflector.
However, often this button turns off after each press on the pedal (for example, when overtaking), which is why you have to activate the cruise control again.
Will cruise control work fully on a manual transmission?
The operation of cruise control on a manual transmission is practically no different from its operation when installed on a car with an automatic transmission.
However, in this case, there may also be one drawback: when trying to go uphill with cruise control turned on, the driver will not be able to automatically switch to a lower gear.
Because of this, if the driver is driving in 5th gear of a manual transmission, then without additional pressing of the gas pedal he is unlikely to be able to completely overcome the entire climb.
In such a situation, another feature of cruise control appears - if the car’s speed decreases (which happens when it is impossible to drive onto a slope), the device automatically turns off at 40 km/h, so the driver in any case will have to resort to mechanical control of the gas pedal.
IT IS IMPORTANT! If there is a RES button on the cruise control device, you can reset the speed by pressing it twice. If it is absent, you can reduce the speed by pressing the gas pedal and fixing the new speed using the cruise control start button.
The process of connecting cruise control to a manual transmission when it is not provided by the manufacturer.
Before proceeding with the installation of cruise control, the car owner must make sure that all technical components of his “iron horse” are in working order, and also install good tires on the car. This is due to the fact that in the presence of such malfunctions it is very dangerous to allow the car to drive under automatic control. If everything is in order, the driver will not endanger himself by driving on cruise control.
What you will need for installation
To complete the work, it is important to prepare in advance:
curved screwdriver;
scissors or an awl (the main thing is that they are very sharp);
nut head;
wrench;
a set of self-tapping screws (screws can also be used);
a cable for connecting to the accelerator (it can also be included with the device);
universal cruise control.
IMPORTANT! If your car has an accelerator pedal position sensor, then you will need to purchase an additional bracket for it, which you will also have to install yourself.
Installation process
In general, the entire work of installing cruise control on the mechanics will take you no more than an hour, however, you should set aside time to check the operation, as well as eliminate possible malfunctions. In general, the work consists of the following sequential actions:
Choosing a location for the new device. Often, car enthusiasts attach it near the fuel filter, which also allows you to connect the cruise control to the brake hose. You can choose another place for it, the main thing is that it is dry, and the cable from the accelerator can be freely connected to it (if there are strong bends in the cable, you will not be able to control the speed).
IMPORTANT! If you cannot run the cable from the accelerator in such a way that there are no bends in it, you can use a regular fishing reel, along which it will bend freely without breaking or damaging other mechanisms of the car.
We connect the second cable to the accelerator, but do not rush to cut it. First, install the bracket on the gas pedal position control sensor, and only then measure the required length of the cable and cut it. After this, the second end of the cable can be connected to the cruise control device.
To connect cruise control to a car, you must first find the tachometer connection wires, to which you need to connect the new device. The green wire that comes from the cruise control control unit must be connected to the tachometer wire. The red wire of the device is intended for connection to brake lights.
Install the cruise control activation/deactivation button. To connect it, we connect the gray double wire. For full operation of the button and device, be sure to stretch the ground that runs along the black wire.
The cruise control control knob must be installed on the steering wheel of the car, for which it will have to be disassembled. If your car has airbags, they will also have to be removed for a while. We install the handle on the steering wheel and put it back together, not forgetting about the airbags.
We check the operation of the cruise control. To do this, we recommend that you drive along an empty road where there is no traffic. It is rational to do a test activation of the device at low speed (but above 40 km/h), while being prepared for the need to control the accelerator pedal if the device suddenly does not work.
Is it worth using cruise control on a car: advantages and disadvantages of the function.
The principle of operation of the cruise control function is that the device system automatically maintains the speed set by the driver, without requiring mechanical action of the foot on the gas pedal.
To activate cruise control, the driver just needs to press a button on the device, and immediately after that he can take his foot off the pedal and enjoy the car’s smooth speed, which will not change even if the road terrain changes.
But this does not mean that the driver will not be able to use the pedals when overtaking or stopping is necessary. All this is quite possible, and even more - after forced acceleration or braking, the car will still return to the same speed that was set on the cruise control.
THIS IS INTERESTING! Modern cruise control systems are equipped with more than one function on/off button. In addition to it, a SET button can be installed, pressing it in pairs will allow the driver to double the speed of the car as quickly as possible, without touching the gas pedal with his foot.
In general, the advantages of this additional function on a car with a manual transmission include the ability to relieve stress from the leg during a long trip that does not require dynamic control of the car. Thus, when driving out onto a long and unloaded highway, the driver really gets the opportunity to rest.
However, the operation of manual cruise control is rational only if the car owner constantly travels out of town onto uncrowded roads. In urban conditions, there is practically no point in installing cruise control, since the driver will constantly press the pedals with his feet.
We hope you were able to answer the question for yourself whether it is worth installing this additional function on your car, and you can clearly explain to others what cruise control is on a manual and how to install it.
A modern car is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. An incredible number of different electronic assistants, complex systems and options allow you to greatly increase the comfort of driving your iron horse and save the driver’s strength and nerves. Today we will talk about such an indispensable assistant as cruise control, and the specifics of its operation on cars with manual transmission.
General information
To understand how cruise control works on a manual transmission, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the features of its operation in more detail and at least approximately knowing the structure of such complex electronics.
Cruise control is designed to maintain a constant vehicle speed without driver intervention.
In other words, the driver will not have to put his foot on the pedals again to adjust the speed and constantly ensure that the car does not lose speed on the highway.
Many claim that cruise control, as such, is a useless system and not so necessary on modern cars. The main argument in such a debate is that many cars in the recent past a priori did not have such an option even in the maximum configuration, and only a certain and fairly narrow range of premium models were equipped with the coveted set of keys on the steering column lever.
However, in a certain number of cases it will be quite easy to do without this option. To understand whether it makes sense to purchase an option package that includes cruise control, it is worth understanding where the car is most often driven.
If the car spends most of its time in the city, being pushed around in traffic jams and driving at variable speeds, there is no point in cruise control. Otherwise, you will have to constantly “play” with the controls and thereby constantly load the already sensitive and expensive electronics.
Things are completely different if the driver constantly needs to move along the highway, away from cities. For example, long-term driving on a flat, straight road requires constant effort applied to the accelerator pedal. If the driver constantly keeps his leg in the same position, it will quickly get tired and go numb. To prevent this from happening, you just need to activate the desired button, and the leg can be immediately released.
Instructions for use
As you know, cruise control is the prerogative of a car that operates with an automatic transmission. Indeed, in a car with an automatic transmission it will be much easier to operate cruise control - just press the gas pedal, accelerate your car to the required speed and lock the speed limit using a button on the steering column or dashboard.
However, no matter how surprising it may sound, there are a number of models on the market with manual transmission that also have cruise control. Mechanically, such a system has several features, expressed in the nuances of its use while traveling.
How to use cruise control? How does it work, and what do you need to know about such systems? Let's figure it out.
Typically, the cruise control control panel is located on the steering column stalk, which also controls the lighting or windshield wiper blades. The main controls are two switches with a two-way operating principle. They can be tilted left or right, depending on what needs to be activated.
The first switch is the cruise control lever. It should be moved from one extreme position to another, the system will be activated and will be ready to work in the specified mode. Immediately, the corresponding indicator lights up on the car’s on-board computer, and on the dashboard - an icon depicting a speedometer with a limited scale. It is often possible to use the same key to reset the established speed readings and deactivate the system.
Another switch is an adjustment of the operating mode and a key for fixing the current speed. So, on cars with a manual transmission, you need to select the desired gear, accelerate the car and press the lock button. The current speed will be displayed on the dashboard, and the car will maintain it automatically without driver assistance.
If for some reason it is necessary to adjust the speed, and the cruise control is already activated, then there is no need to reset the current readings and accelerate or brake the car yourself. It is enough to move the switch up or down, which is responsible for fixing the current speed. In this case, on the dashboard, the fixed speed value will change up or down, and the car will instantly accelerate to the set value.
A peculiarity of the operation of cruise control on cars with manual transmission is the inability of the system to change gears independently. In other words, when adjusting the speed, you will have to select the gear yourself, and when accelerating, control the transmission manually: otherwise, there are no differences from automatic transmission systems.
Results
Cruise control is definitely a useful feature for those who do most of their driving on the highway. Such electronics will not only protect the driver from fatigue, but will also seriously save fuel. Moving the car at a constant speed will reduce the figure by 20-30 percent.
First, let's define the terms and understand what cruise control is - this is a modern automotive device that is designed to maintain the driving speed set by the driver, and, if necessary, automatically increase or decrease it on certain sections of the road without driver intervention.
In other words, this is the most effective and reliable assistant for any motorist when traveling long distances. In most cases, cruise control is used when driving on highways, but in urban conditions it is usually useless http://propuskavmoskvu.ru/index.php/razreshenie-na-negabarit.
Cruise control is most widespread in the United States, however, European car owners are increasingly purchasing cars equipped with similar systems.
How cruise control works
The system has a wide functionality that allows you to control and maintain a constant speed, increase and decrease it, for example, when ascending or descending, when driving around, etc. And all this becomes possible only by pressing one control button, which allows you to change the speed every 2 km/h.
For example, if you need to reduce or increase your speed by 16 km/h, you just need to press the control button 8 times. Disabling the control system on different cars can be done differently.
Sometimes, to completely stop the system, you need to press the brake pedal and reduce the speed to 35 km/h, and sometimes you just need to press the brake or gas and the car will go into manual control.
What does cruise control consist of?
A few words about the cruise control circuit. So, we have already determined that the system automatically maintains the set speed in a given direction.
A modern cruise control system consists of a computer, a servo drive, a sensor, solenoid valves, a vacuum turbo line, a diaphragm and its cable.
The system coordinates throttle operation through sensors that detect vehicle speed and transmit data to the throttle valve. Among other things, the system monitors the position of the operating buttons and pedals, changing the driving speed, decreasing or increasing it.
Cruise control control
The modern cruise control system is controlled using the main buttons (may vary depending on the model):
- On – turns on the system;
- Off – turns off the system;
- Set/ Accel – sets, increases or decreases the set speed (when pressed again);
- Resume – restores the previous value of the set speed;
- Coast – reduces the speed of movement, sometimes it acts as a brake;
The two main pedals (brake and clutch) are equipped with special switches that allow you to disable cruise control when you press one of the pedals.
The control center of the entire system is a special computer located on the control panel. The computer interfaces with the throttle and sensors to effectively coordinate the entire system.
The cruise control throttle mechanism is controlled using diaphragm cables that connect to a small hinge element that opens the throttle valve.
One cable is connected to the gas pedal, the other to the servo drive. When the cruise control is started, the servo drives a cable that regulates the throttle; another cable allows you to use the gas pedal when the system is already active.
Adaptive cruise control
The calculation of the required driving speed is established based on the main indicators - distance, acceleration and proportions of the car. This is the basic operating principle of the passive cruise control system.
A more advanced and multifunctional system is adaptive cruise control, which allows you not only to set and maintain the desired driving speed, but also to maintain a safe distance between your car and others.
Adaptive cruise control is often equipped with a special sensor, which, using a signal, allows you to monitor and coordinate the required driving speed.
This system consists of the following elements:
- sensitive sensor to determine the required speed and distance between any vehicles;
- electronic type control controller;
- signal processor that executes controller commands
The operating principle of such a system is quite simple. Using a sensor, the system determines the safe distance between cars, setting the desired speed. When the distance decreases, the system transmits appropriate impulses to the engine and braking system for timely braking of the vehicle.
As soon as the distance is restored or the obstacle is overcome, the cruise control picks up the previously set speed.
Currently, adaptive cruise control is considered to be the most effective and promising vehicle control system.
Cruise control is a special device in a car that allows you to maintain a constant speed while driving by increasing the speed during natural deceleration (uphill) or reducing the gas supply when going downhill. The system is needed on long trips when intense attention is required from the driver. For cruise control to work effectively, so that the driver can feel it, large sections of the road with good coverage are needed. Naturally, the cruise control system is most in demand in countries such as the USA, where there are good long roads.
How sad it is to realize, it turns out there can be good roads even where there are no large populated areas
Many drivers who have bought a used foreign car (even a very expensive and luxurious one) sometimes do not know about the full functionality of their car. This can be explained by the fact that to drive a car it is enough to study its basic characteristics, or by the fact that the documents (passport or description) for the car are incomplete or completely lost.
Most often, the key device built into the steering wheel of a car is ignored completely or partially, after unsuccessful attempts to turn it on.
Many owners of foreign cars still cannot understand why the CRUISE button on the steering wheel is needed
Today's cruise control systems are divided into passive and adaptive.
Passive systems
The passive cruise control system includes the following elements:
- system control keys;
- automatic control controller;
- servo;
- solenoid valves to control the servo drive;
- actuator for the throttle valve.
How cruise control works
The servo drive uses the vacuum generated in the manifold of a running engine. The controller, depending on the difference between the signals about the real and the set speed, according to the built-in program, controls the vacuum and ventilation valves of the servo drive. The signal from the servo drive membrane goes to control the throttle valve, adjusting the fuel supply. In this way, a constant (set) speed of the machine is maintained when the load on the engine changes (ascent, descent).
On a road like this, where the descent is constantly replaced by an ascent, it is better to drive with cruise control turned on, otherwise you will constantly have to press and release the gas pedal
The controller is programmed in such a way that the cruise control system cannot be forcibly engaged if the vehicle speed is less than 40 km/h. On the other hand, the controller automatically turns off when the driver presses the brake pedal.
Cruise control control
As a rule, the control keys are located on the multifunction lever or in the center of the steering wheel, in some models on the front panel, usually labeled CRUISE.
Cruise control
- OFF key – switch off.
- ON key – turns on the cruise control controller. When you press this key, the system itself is activated, but to set the desired speed value you need to dial the required speed by pressing the accelerator, for example 60 km/h, and press and release the SET button. From this moment on, the car will maintain the set speed under the control of the controller, and the CRUISE ENGAGED indicator will light up.
- To accelerate the car when the cruise control is activated (the ON button was pressed), you need to press the RES + (RESUME/ACCELERATE (R/A)) button (switch). A short press (half a second) will result in a minimum speed increase of 1.6 km/h. If you press (hold the switch) RES + while accelerating to the desired speed, the controller will remember exactly the value that was achieved at the moment the button (switch) was released.
- Briefly pressing the SET button when cruise control is activated (the ON button was pressed) will reduce the speed by 1.6 km/h, and holding the button for a long time will allow you to reduce the speed to the desired one.
- When overtaking, you need to press the gas pedal (increase the speed of the car); after completing the maneuver, you need to release the gas pedal. The controller will reduce the speed to the value before overtaking, and the vehicle speed will again be constant.
- You can disable cruise control either by pressing the brake pedal, then the system will not remember the set speed, or by pressing the OFF button, the next time you activate the system without turning off the car, the system will pick up and maintain the previously set speed.
When the cruise control system is turned on, there is no need to “press on the gas” - you can take your foot off the gas pedal. You can also set the speed limit to 90 km/h and occasionally increase it.
terms of Use
In conditions of frequent descents and ascents, there may be some difficulties when driving a vehicle with the cruise control system activated. This depends on a combination of three factors: the steepness of the road, the set speed and the steepness of the descent (ascent). When going up, you may lose speed; when going down steeply, engine braking may not be enough; you will need to press the brake pedal. This inevitably leads to drivers disabling the cruise control system in such variable conditions.
WARNING!!!
It is strictly forbidden to turn on the cruise control system when the road is icy, wet or slippery. This may lead to an accident.
In difficult road conditions (fog, night, rain, snow, drizzle), cruise control should not be used.
What is modern adaptive cruise control?
The created more advanced adaptive cruise control system (ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control) allows you to maintain the required distance between cars at a given speed. The system is equipped with a laser or radar installed behind the radiator grille. The speed of return of the signals constantly sent by the radar is scanned by the controller, which either forces the car to accelerate or slow down. This allows you to set the optimal distance between cars, which promotes traffic safety.
Adaptive cruise control automatically takes into account the distance to the vehicle in front. The indication is displayed on the instrument panel (click the picture to enlarge)
Adaptive cruise control operates as usual after the obstacle is removed to a safe distance: the previously set speed is restored.
Laser adaptive control systems are much cheaper than radar ones. The disadvantage of laser systems is that in bad weather conditions (rain, snow, splashes from cars ahead), the laser does not see the obstacle. A dirty car is not perceived by the laser at all.
The radar cruise control system is installed on executive and expensive sports cars.
Many European countries consider the adaptive cruise control system to be the most promising in the automotive industry. The system allows the driver to drive comfortably and improves the safety of all passengers by preventing collisions.
Today's "advanced" adaptive cruise control systems are equipped with audible and visual warning signals. And the most modern ones can make independent decisions about emergency braking if the driver hesitates or avoids braking
I would like to warn drivers: adaptive cruise control sometimes makes mistakes, mistakenly identifying an obstacle, so the driver must be careful on the road even with such a perfect system.
Please note that when cruise control is turned on, the engine operating mode is selected in which the least amount of fuel is consumed.
Additional information for drivers
Checking the passive cruise control system
If the car does not maintain speed when the cruise control system is activated, you need to make sure it is working.
Procedure for checking:
- Turn on the ignition. Turn on the cruise control ON switch. The CRUISE ENGAGED indicator light should light up. The indicator light may be burnt out; if so, it needs to be replaced.
- Press the RES+ button (switch) for 3 seconds. The indicator light should turn on for 3 seconds and go off for 2 seconds. After this, if there is a breakdown, the indicator will display error codes in self-diagnosis mode. If everything is normal, to reset the self-diagnosis mode, you need to speed up to 16 km/h, turn off the cruise control system by pressing the OFF button and make sure that the indicator goes out.
Error codes read using the indicator lamp
When reading, you must remember that:
- there is a long pause between codes;
- two-digit codes are separated by a short pause.
Example, code 12: long flash, short pause, two short flashes.
Error code 01
It is necessary to check the wiring going to the main cruise control buttons, inspect the brake light switch, and check the serviceability of the cruise control brake sensor.
Error code 05
You need to check the fuse and the wiring between the fuse and the cruise control.
Error code 07
You need to check the cruise control brake sensor and brake light switch.
Error code 11
Error code 12
You need to check the cruise control switch.
The cruise control system allows you to maintain a certain speed limit without driver intervention, thus easing the load on the driver and providing the opportunity to relax on a long journey.
Literally, Cruise control will drive the car at a given speed, while the driver’s feet will be on the floor. It is better to use such a system on long trips, since when maneuvering within the city, using cruise control is rarely appropriate.
How cruise control works
The first cruise control system was released in 1958. It was installed on the Chrysler Imperial. Control in this system was carried out by limiting or increasing the supply of the air-fuel mixture.
What is traction control?
Cruise control was preceded by another system that corrects the movement of the car - traction control. This is a traction control system.
There are situations when a powerful engine is able to idle the wheels of a car. This happens during a sharp start, if the wheels have smooth tires, and the car is driving on wet asphalt.
The first traction control systems appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century. They were used on trains. Heavy locomotives could not always start moving immediately, so a system was required that would regulate the movement of the train's wheels.
The principle of operation of the traction system is as follows: if there is too much load on the wheels, the system reduces the fuel supply, thereby slowing down the wheels.
How to use cruise control?
The cruise control system is easy to operate. There are on/off buttons. Having turned on the system, the driver does not feel any actual changes in the behavior of the car, but speed control is already carried out.
Cruise control control:
- To set the required speed mode, use the Set\Accel button. When you press this button, the cruise control computer remembers the speed of the car and will maintain it. Pressing this button again will increase the speed of the car by 1 km/h. So, to increase the speed of the car by 3 km/h, you need to press this button 3 times.
- If you press the brake pedal while driving, the cruise control will turn off. Using the Resume button, you can restore the speed limit before braking.
- The Coast button reduces the speed by 1 km/hour.
- The cruise control control center is a small computer. It combines a throttle cable and several sensors responsible for speed control.
This is how passive cruise control works, designed to control the maintenance of a constant vehicle speed to provide the driver with the opportunity to rest without interrupting the trip.
How does the cruise control system work?
The speed of the car is controlled by pressing the gas pedal. It changes the throttle position depending on how hard you press the pedal. Cruise control, unlike the gas pedal, acts on the throttle valve using a pneumatic drive.
It is a valve filled with vacuum that regulates the position of the throttle valve. The valve is connected to the gas pedal and throttle. Therefore, when cruise control is on, the gas pedal moves as if the driver were pressing it.
It looks something like this: as soon as the load on the engine decreases, the speed increases, the throttle valve closes and speed correction occurs. If the car goes up a hill, the load increases and the speed decreases. Cruise control reacts and opens the throttle slightly, adjusting the speed of the car.
Layout of cruise control elements
Cruise control on manual
Cruise control is a system that operates primarily on an automatic transmission. But this system can also work with a manual transmission. True, in a manual car it will not completely replace the driver, but it can make a long journey easier.
The system will turn off when you press the clutch or brake pedal. That is, after each gear change you will need to turn on the cruise control again. And after turning off the ignition, it is necessary to restore all settings.
How to install cruise control yourself?
Most often, cruise control is included in the vehicle package. But it happens that there is a need for independent installation. What does that require?
- Install a control that performs on/off and cruise/speed limiter functions. Most often, a three-position switch is used for this element.
- The second element is the QC control buttons. This element remembers settings, increases/decreases speed, resets settings, or turns off the system.
- The main element is the “brain” of the entire system - a computer that processes data and issues commands. After installation, you need to configure it. Most often this is done using specialized software.
Adaptive cruise control
In addition to the passive cruise control system, the first adaptive system was created in 1999. It was installed on Mercedes-Benz. In 2006, the first representative of a new generation of cruise control, Full Adaptive Cruise Control, appeared, which is able to synchronize your car with the one in front.
The functionality of the adaptive cruise control system is much broader than just maintaining a constant vehicle speed. It allows you to adapt to the car in front - maintain a constant distance and go at its speed. The expansion of the system’s range of functions is dictated by the development of city traffic and the need to constantly maneuver on the road.
The adaptive (or active) cruise control system is now dynamically developing, with new functions and skills being added to it. Who knows, maybe cars will soon learn to fully control the movement on the highway, completely freeing the driver while driving.
