Cruise control comments & suppliers

[freelance1000]

Those in Australia who are interested in cruise control should probably check out this supplier. They have a high opinion of their products. :)

http://www.autron.com.au/newweb/index1024.htm

[HRV-BEN-UK]

I wish I needed it here but the traffic is so stop and go on the motorways rendering it useless. The only time I would of needed it was when I travelled to France last year, would have been a dream to use.

[freelance1000]

For Christmas I'll be driving from Darwin to Melbourne and back, this is a total distance of 7,740km.

Bearing this in mind I went and sought a quote on the Autron Auscruise Cruise Control units. The unit they recommend, the AC3400 which works on 'vacuum' from the engine costs $850 AUD. The Multi-Resume costs an additional $250 AUD, and the Overspeed alarm $65 AUD ($1 AUD = approx $0.70 USD). I would like to spend less than this amount.

I've currently sent an e-mail to Autron asking if the AC4400 which is cheaper and is 'electric' can be fitted to the HRV. I'll post their reply.

The following link doesn't seem to refer to 'Electric' Cruise controls. http://www.howstuffworks.com/cruise-control.htm
This one does http://yarchive.net/car/cruise_control.html as does this one http://www.rostra.com/cruise-control.htm

While awaiting Autrons reply, does anyone want to have a go at explaining the pros and cons of the 'Vacuum' vs 'Electric' Cruise controls?
To date I understand the 'Vacuum' 'connects quicker' and has 'more accurate control of set speed'.

[mrtn]

i have a VDO Tempostat by Rostra (Part # 250-3421 http://www.rostra.com/images/P1160896-rd.jpg) which cost me US$545 with installation. it's an electric one and got replaced in the first months because the 1st unit failed. the second one has worked fine. the electric one is more peppy while a vacuum control feels softer.

[freelance1000]

Mrtn, thanks for explaining the difference between the electric and vacuum CC.

Are you happy with your CC, and do you think it's worth the cost?

[mrtn]

I am extremely happy with, although it is not as convinient as a built in CC with the buttons on the steering wheel as in my previous car but still I couldn't imagine driving without it. I do a lot of highway driving but have come to use the CC even in short trips in the town.

[freelance1000]

You've talked me into it... :)

However I'll have it installed in Melbourne at Christmas time as the distributor there will install it for $595 AUD, instead of the $850 AUD as quoted in Darwin. :roll:

[AoS]

Does the HR-V have enough torque for Cruise Control?

What happens if you set it to 130km/h on the highway and that you have to go up-hill?

[Dick_Dastardly]

Chug Chug Chug Put Put...


However, Somebody failed to mention he has a CVT gearbox.

Now that's cheating..... :wink: :wink:

[freelance1000]

Had Cruise Control installed today. :D :D :D

It's the Auscruise AC3400 cruise control (vacuum) with multi resume, speed alert and clutch coast. The setup is on the steering wheel with the 3 multi-resume buttons on the left side, and the 3 set/acc, on/off, and res/dec buttons on the right side. The installation looks very professional and tidy.
It was installed by Cobra Car Alarms Sales and Service in Vermont (Melbourne), installation took a bit over two hours, and the total cost was $705 AUD (I was quoted $1,155 AUD for the same setup in Darwin).

What happens if you set it to 130km/h on the highway and that you have to go up-hill?
With the AC3400 you push the clutch in and drop a gear (or two). When the car speeds up, do the reverse.

[mrtn]

congrats!

now we know it looks bood, but how's the driving experience?

[freelance1000]

... but how's the driving experience?
I've only had it installed for a few hours... :D

I'm happy with it, but I must admit to finding it a novel sensation to push a button, take my foot off the accelerator and have the vehicle speed up to the pre-determined speed. :shock:

I'll have another go at answering this question once I've tested the CC a bit more (including against the GPS), and am more familiar with it.

[Pikasso]

mrtn wrote: I do a lot of highway driving but have come to use the CC even in short trips in the town.
How does this work? Having never had CC I can only see a use for it on the open road when you dont want to go above the speed limit.

[mrtn]

you'll just set the desired speed and you sit in desired position for the rest of the trip :)

what really exhausts you on long trips is the lack of movement behind the wheel and once you get used to using the CC you'll become more relaxed driver as you use it all the time and everywhere.

[freelance1000]

I’ve now had a few weeks to play with the Auscruise Autron AC3400 Cruise Control with Speed Alarm and the following are my observations.

Location
We’re currently visiting Melbourne, Victoria in Australia. Melbourne is a city with around 4 million people. Victoria has very strict speeding laws that are vigorously enforced via fixed and mobile speed cameras. Although Australian Motor Vehicle standards stipulate that vehicle speedos only need to be accurate to 10%, in this State speeding fines are issued when vehicles are caught going 3km over the legal limit. Speeding fines start at over $100 AUD (approx. $80 USD), ie. my sister was fined $128 AUD for driving at 64kph (67kph-3kph) in a 60kph zone.

In a location like this, Cruise control and Speed alarms have very real advantages.

Multi-Resume Cruise Control
Using the GPS, I set my multi resume buttons at 60, 80 and 100. They can easily be changed while driving.

Good points
Can drive exactly at the speed limit (GPS shows changes in speed of less than 1kph each way when on slight inclines/declines) without fear of going over the speed limit (unless going down a steep hill.)
When driving on good roads it provides a more relaxing drive, and a smoother ride (esp. when driving in slightly hilly areas).
I really like the multi-resume function, as it greatly simplifies the task of ensuring one adheres to an (ever) changing speed limit. A good example of this is when driving into rural towns where the speed limit drops from 100 to 80, then to 60 before increasing on the exit of the town to 80 and 100.

Bad points
One needs to be aware that just because the posted speed limit is X, this might not be the safe and appropriate speed to enter all the corners that follow.
I’ve occasionally let my car get closer to the vehicle in front than I used to prior to the CC. This has usually happened when they are driving slightly slower than my CC speed.
On the longer journeys 4+ hrs I seem to tire quicker! I suspect this is because with the CC on, one doesn’t do as much, there is no need to watch the speedo or have the foot on the accelerator.
Braking is not as quick.

Multi-Resume Speed Alarm
I didn’t actually order this function, but they installed it when they installed the CC and didn’t charge for it.
Once again I set this using the GPS (only one set to date, 99kph, so it beeps at 104kph).

Good points.
Great in situations where the CC is not appropriate, such as on windy, hilly roads, and when in stop-go traffic. Just click the tab for the speed you want, and the alarm will go off whenever the vehicle is travelling 5kph over that speed.

Bad points.
Can’t currently think of any.

Conclusion.
Good product that does what it claims to.
Am I happy I purchased this product? Yes.
Will I be fitting these to all my future vehicles? Probably, but as I come from a small city (town), I probably wouldn’t need the Multi-resume version. If I was a permanent resident of Melbourne, I’d definitely purchase the Multi-resume version.