With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
Caution: Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and you could lose control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.Setting Cruise Control
Caution: If you leave your cruise control on when you are not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when you do not want to. You could be startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise control switch off until you want to use cruise control.
The cruise control buttons are located on the steering wheel.
(On/Off): Press this button to turn the cruise control system on and off.+RES (Resume): Press this part of the button to resume a set speed and to accelerate the speed.
-SET (Set): Press this part of the button to set a speed and to decrease the speed.
To set a speed do the following:
- Press the on/off button to turn cruise control on. The indicator light on the button will come on.
- Get to the speed you want.
- Press the -SET part of the control button and release it. The CRUISE message will display in the instrument panel cluster to show the system is engaged.
- Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Enhanced Traction System (ETS) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. See Enhanced Traction System (ETS) . When road conditions allow, the cruise control can be used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course, disengages the cruise control. The CRUISE message in the instrument panel cluster will also go out indicating cruise is no longer engaged. To return to your previously set speed, you do not need to go through the set process again. Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can press the +RES part of the button briefly.
This will take you back up to your previously chosen speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
| • | Disengage the cruise control but do not turn it off. Accelerate to a higher speed and reset the cruise control. |
| • | If the cruise control system is already engaged, press the +RES part of the button. Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want, and then release the button. To increase your speed in very small amounts, press the +RES part of the button briefly and then release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster. |
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
| • | Push and hold the -SET part of the button until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it. |
| • | To slow down in very small amounts, push the -SET part of the button briefly. Each time you do this, you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower. |
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and do not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end the cruise control session, step lightly on the brake pedal or tap the clutch if your vehicle has a manual transaxle.
Stepping on the brake pedal or clutch will only end the current cruise control session. Press the cruise control on/off button to turn the system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
