Nuance of Cruise Control.. and why it will matter to a few

[PltFX4]

On a 500 mile round trip this Saturday and Sunday I discovered some details about the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) I was not aware of... glad I found the info.

The key issue is I have a front mounted trailer hitch. Several other members acquired the same one and those that had the Adaptive Cruise Control option (as mine does), had to off set the center of the tongue to the left about 5" to, in theory, not interfere with the ACC. In my case, it still does interfere, sporadically.

So it did not work on the way south, so it was Manual Foot Throttle Modulation (MFTM) to maintain speed... resulting significant fluctuation is speed and potential ticket candidate, not to mention cramped foot/ankle.

While sitting in the parking lot of the second largest Bass Pro Outdoor store, preparing to head home, I decided to see what adjustments could be made.

There are several actually, but only one really did the job. Turning off the Cross Traffic Warning setting helped. The ACC still slowed me down if I cam up upon a slower vehicle and speed the truck back up while passing. But this was only in lite traffic (Sunday AM on the interstate) ACC did not kick off completely for about 100 miles, then back to MFTM.

Looked a little further and found you can actually turn ACC completely off (setting changed to Manual) and dah da, old fashion CC. Won't slow you down or speed you up just maintains designated set speed.

Will consider moving the ACC sensor this summer (to damn cold out now) and see if I can get full function back... else consider removing the hitch as it's a nice to have, but not critical.

That's my store and I'm sticking to it.

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[TxOTRRanger]

Mine, just being the base package XLT only has the regular CC. I use it everyday, on the farm market roads and on the highway. As Chris @Chris M said, it takes a lot of stress out of the drive. Just my 2 cents.

 

[AzScorpion]

I hated the ACC at first and just set mine to regular CC. I always forgot I set it and would get complacent behind the car in front and then look down and I was going 5-10 mph slower than I had set. I use it more now and it does help especially on long trips but every once in a while I'll still get caught napping behind another slower vehicle.

 

[pbethel]

I hated the ACC at first and just set mine to regular CC. I always forgot I set it and would get complacent behind the car in front and then look down and I was going 5-10 mph slower than I had set. I use it more now and it does help especially on long trips but every once in a while I'll still get caught napping behind another slower vehicle.

I really don't like ACC
I really don't like people racing up behind me then slowing to my speed and just sitting there when they could easily pass.
I get to show that hate for both by slowly slowing down when the ACC guy gets behind me. It's a game. Best so far was 76 MPH down to 57 MPH. Then they woke up and went around.
Was that you?

 

[AzScorpion]

I really don't like ACC
I really don't like people racing up behind me then slowing to my speed and just sitting there when they could easily pass.
I get to show that hate for both by slowly slowing down when the ACC guy gets behind me. It's a game. Best so far was 76 MPH down to 57 MPH. Then they woke up and went around.
Was that you?

lol Not me. I have mine set to the farthest distance which I think is 2-3 car lengths. That's how I know I was caught napping because I'm like "WTF is wrong with my truck", then I realize it's me.

 

[IdahoRanger]

So glad I don't have ACC.

 

[pbethel]

Too many of us don't have enough to do if I get multiple responses this quick.

 

[Big Blue]

I guess maybe ACC needs a setting to give you an alarm if your using it and your going it and going slower than your set speed for specific (settable) time. One more Nanny!

 

[AzScorpion]

So glad I don't have ACC.

Luckily it can be turned off and just use regular cruise control.

 

[PltFX4]

I do like ACC. Not critical need, but if you got it, use it on long trips is very handy... better than napping on just CC and running the guy in front, especially semis.

ACC is just a function of how it's used. Setting the distance setting as far back as it goes, actual distance is about 6 car lengths, is fair so as not to crowd the car in front. For me, as soon as the truck starts to slow down I notice, especially out on the open road, and I'm planning my passing move. In the city, rarely use it.

 

[woodworker]

lol Not me. I have mine set to the farthest distance which I think is 2-3 car lengths. That's how I know I was caught napping because I'm like "WTF is wrong with my truck", then I realize it's me.

My 2019 CRV had that same adjustment and I left it set on three if I remember right. People might make fun of the CRV’s but that one was AWD and fully loaded and it was actually very comfortable on the local goat path roads as well as the interstate.

 

[got3fords]

There's a member over on the 6G forum that uses ACC in traffic, letting it do all the start and stop, without touching the pedals. Claims it gets him better MPG.

 

[micl9]

One of the more complicated and better Mods I did to my Ranger was adding ACC. I love it. my daily commute is 75mi one way in typically light traffic. Pretty much use it as a speeding ticket safety net, Set 9 miles over and have never gotten a ticket. I am not brave enough to use in stop and go traffic as reported above!

 

[woodworker]

There's a member over on the 6G forum that uses ACC in traffic, letting it do all the start and stop, without touching the pedals. Claims it gets him better MPG.

I’m not that trusting but I can believe the better MPG though.

 

[got3fords]

I’m not that trusting but I can believe the better MPG though.

He claims it's because it has smoother more gradual acceleration or something like that.

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