Thread: Fuel Consumption using CC

I have not been able to see any noticeable difference, but I suppose that if you are one of those who tend to vary speed a lot without it it may, particularly if without it you tend to spend a lot of the time going faster than you planned - once you get up around 100kph, even small increases in speed take a lot more power, particularly with the relatively high drag Landrovers.

It also depends on the terrain - in hilly conditions it is possible you would do better without cruise control, as it will limit your speed gain going downhill and try to keep speed up going uphill, where the most economic way of travelling would be to use downhill momentum to go uphill as far as possible. But again, the difference if any will very much depend on how similar to the cruise control performance is your normal method of driving without it.

John

One thing I noticed is how other drivers speed up then slow down, can get annoying when you pass someone with CC set at 100K then they speed up to pass you 5 mins later then they slow down again and u end up nearly tailgating them. I went to Lakes entrance and averaged 13.9 Litres per 100K and ended up getting just on 640Kms out of full tank.

Based on V8 discos with cruise, I would estimate that you will save on average about 10% in fuel - however as others have said it does highlight how much other cars change speed and you need to anticipate this and adjust your driving technique - the other aspect is hilly conditions or lots of ups and downs the cruise control can make fuel consumption worse. In areas of short hills then descents and then up etc the cruise control will hunt trying to maintain a constant speed opening and closing the throttle a lot always lagging behind a little - burning unnessary fuel - the driver can anticipate the conditions better. In hilly areas, particularly in a manual car you can become lazy and hang onto a gear rather than changing down so this uses a lot more fuel.

In areas where the car will drive along easily cruise makes a lot of difference and rests the right foot.

I would recommend getting cruise fitted if for no other reason than out in the open it makes the trip a little more relaxing and any fuel saving is a bonus.

Gazzz

have had cruise controls fitted to all my vehicles both petrol and turbo diesel since 1990 never noticed any difference in fuel economy but makes long distance trips more pleasurable.

Also use cruise control around town on freeways etc to avoid speed camera fines

It is annoying to drive behind someone who flucuates their speed normally overtake and put some distance between me and them before resuming cruise mode

Since fitting it to our 300Tdi haven't noticed any difference but they never seem to change anyway!

On my TD5 Disco(manual) it does use more fuel on the run to Perth,plenty of hills the cruise cant see.I get very lazy and just as soon as I hit 105 leaving town switch it on.Pulls all the hills easy in 5th,seems that the cruise has more say on power than the pedal.The pedal cant match the acceleration "resume" gives you on a hill!!!(yes I SHOULD be downchanging)Just love the feeling downhill @85ks in 5th when the cruise is set for 120ks,hit resume,she fair flys.
On level country the cruise is mutch better,doesnt seem to be full power/cut the power at all,just holds the selected speed nicely
Andrew

Originally Posted by Aussie

One thing I noticed is how other drivers speed up then slow down, can get annoying when you pass someone with CC set at 100K then they speed up to pass you 5 mins later then they slow down again and u end up nearly tailgating them. I went to Lakes entrance and averaged 13.9 Litres per 100K and ended up getting just on 640Kms out of full tank.

This is one thing that p.sses me off when using cc, having to constantly slow down thus turning off the cc then having to set it again when you can speed up.

I always feel my CC "pulses",,,

and on that alone I reckon I could get as good.

but then,,
who cares about fuel consumption???