If you’ve ever had to drive long distances on the interstate, you know how tiring it can be. It’s easy to start daydreaming or get distracted by a podcast and forget to check your speedometer. Before you know it, you might look down and find you’re going 20 mph over the speed limit! By making use of your car’s cruise control feature, you can choose a desired speed and prevent dangerous driving practices—like speeding—on the open road.

Want to learn more about cruise control and how it works? You’ve come to the right place. In this guide from

Jerry

, the

trusted super app

that simplifies

car insurance

shopping, we’ll go over the two types of cruise control safety tech, and how and when they should be used.

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What is the cruise button and what does it do?

In most vehicles, the cruise button is located on the steering wheel or steering column. By pressing it, you can switch on your car’s cruise control system and choose a specific speed. Your car will maintain that speed until you either tap your brake pedal or push the cruise button again.

Keep in mind that once you activate cruise control, it’s very important to remain focused and keep your eyes on the road—especially if you have conventional cruise control. Always be prepared to hit your brakes if you get too close to the car in front of you.

MORE:

6 cruise control safety tips you should never ignore

Conventional cruise control vs. adaptive cruise control

The two types of cruise control systems include conventional cruise control, which has been around since a Chrysler engineer named Ralph Teetor invented it in the late 1940s, and adaptive cruise control, a type of semi-autonomous driver-assistance tech found in many new cars.

Here’s how they differ:

Sometimes referred to as “basic” or “normal” cruise control, conventional cruise control allows the driver to set a specific cruising speed. The car will maintain that speed until the driver takes over by pressing the brake pedal or tapping the ON/OFF button.

Because of this, using conventional cruise control still requires your full attention on the road, and can even be dangerous to use under certain driving conditions, such as heavy traffic.

With adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems, such as

Tesla's

autopilot, the driver also chooses a preset speed—but the vehicle has the ability to use advanced radar sensors to “see” what’s going on around it, and automatically decelerate to maintain a safe following distance.

More advanced ACC systems can even completely stop the car if the vehicle in front of it comes to a stop. It will start driving again when the car in front of it begins to move.

In general, adaptive cruise control is safer and more versatile than conventional cruise control, but you still need to watch the road and be ready to take over driving if needed.

Most adaptive cruise control systems do not work under 30 mph.

MORE:

What to do if cruise control is not working

How to use cruise control

Most modern vehicles have a series of cruise buttons on or near the steering wheel, but some older models use a lever instead. You should see an ON/OFF switch and a SET button—some models also include controls labeled RESUME and CANCEL. You may also have a +/- button, which is used to adjust speed.

Here’s how to use the cruise control feature in a car:

Drive your car until you reach the speed you want to maintain.

Select your car’s speed by pushing SET.

Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

If you’re driving a conventional cruise control car and want to slow down or stop, you’ll have to turn off cruise control first. To do this, simply press your brake pedal, or tap the ON/OFF or CANCEL button. If you want to use cruise control again, press RESUME. If you have a +/- button, you can use that to increase or decrease your vehicle’s speed without turning off cruise control.

In most cases, the same instructions apply to an adaptive cruise control system; however, you don’t need to cancel the cruise control function in order to slow down. Adaptive cruise control does that automatically! Instead, use the controls to change speeds, or when you want to turn off the ACC system completely.

Remember, there are slight variations in cruise control systems from one car to the next, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to operate your specific vehicle.

MORE: How to get the most out of cruise control

When should you use cruise control?

The best time to use cruise control is during a long drive or road trip, where you can maintain the same speed for lengthy periods of time.

Traveling for many miles on the freeway often leads to driver fatigue which can cause you to accidentally exceed the speed limit. Many drivers feel they’re more focused when they don’t have to worry about maintaining their speed and can stretch their legs.

Even if you’re not feeling fatigued, you might want to use cruise control during long drives in order to maximize your car’s fuel efficiency. The more you press down on your car’s accelerator and brakes, the harder your car has to work. Maintaining a set speed can lessen your vehicle’s workload, and reduce how much gas it consumes.

Never use cruise control in a traffic jam or hazardous weather conditions, such as snow or ice.

MORE: Does cruise control really save gas?

How to find car insurance for your vehicle

When used under the right circumstances, cruise control is a great way to stay safe on the road. It helps you stay focused during long drives and prevents speeding tickets—and since a

clean driving record

usually leads to lower car insurance costs, making use of your car’s cruise control feature might even save you money!

Want to save even more? The

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Tap your preferred plan, and we’ll deal with any phone calls and paperwork needed to get you set up. We can even help cancel your old policy.

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FAQs

What are the pros and cons of using cruise control?

Smart use of your car’s cruise control system comes with advantages, like reducing your risk of speeding and improving your car’s fuel economy. However, a major downside is delayed reaction time—since your foot may not be near your brake pedal when you need it.

Can using cruise control save gas?

Yes! When used while driving long distances on the freeway, cruise control reduces how often you need to press your car’s accelerator and brake pedals, which can lead to better fuel economy.

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