Cruise Control & Adverse Weather Conditions

[c240yaz]

Sometimes I miss my Orange coloured Avenger Tiger with twin 40 Dellorto's. (RS 1600 Escort eater)

I used a Smiths Vacuum Guage mounted in an added on 3 dial instrument cluster box, on top of the dash to try and save my fuel, back in the late 70s.

 

[glojo]

Doesn't matter if it's a diesel, petrol, two stroke, whatever, a competent driver with an average ability to assess conditions will always out perform Cruise Control under average driving conditions. On a straight, level, unobstructed road then Cruise Control should be as good but otherwise it's a no brainer.

Lets use our steep hill that greets drivers when coming to Torquay, Telegraph Hill. This hill goes on for a number of miles and contrary to what everyone is getting ready to pounce on, I will firstly talk about going DOWN the hill. Mr competent driver will lift right off and allow the car to gain a slight bit of momentum, wind resistance really does prevent the car from reaching silly speeds, but your speed might well increase very slightly. Mr cruise control however will have the car brake, then accelerate, then brake, then accelerate, brake, tc etc. This hill is not a continuous and uniform slope and does genuinely go on for a number of miles, hence my comment about accelerating, and braking.

Now we look at the ascent.

As discussed earlier this hill is not a consistent incline and I would like to think common sense would cut in with the driving. Cruise Control will get the vehicle up this hill at 70mph but I dread to think of what gear the thing will be in? Why not let the vehicle make this climb in a relaxed manner and perhaps a few miles an hour lower than 70? Our van is a six speed sprint-shift and with cruise control operating it goes up this hill with the engine screaming in third gear. Whereas if my wife flicks it out of cruise control we go up this mountain slightly slower but in a higher gear and with the engine much happier. Mind you the former method certainly clears the tubes

I have nothing against cruise control and I accept that you personally get a better economy, but like I keep saying, the system lacks a major element. The Mk 1 eyeball and the experienced brain of a competent driver. Once this system has the ability to read the road, assess conditions and react accordingly then we might see it being as economical, or even better than the driver?

Take care,
John

 

[GrahamC230K]

Good topic. I think in extreme weather I would be unlikely to use cruise previosuly, but now I know I won't even if it is just the case of potential standing water on the road.

Simple, obvious once thought about, but thought provoking.

 

[MBManInKen]

I think a few of you are missing the point. Cruise Control is a tool, it is not a replacement for the driver's intelligence.

Foresight in traffic should be applied regardless of whether or not you use this tool. So, if I'm cruising along with the CC on, and there is slower traffic in front, then it's my duty to flick the switch and turn it off or set to a lower speed.

Similarly, if I'm going uphill with the CC on and this causes the engine to go to a gear that is too high, I can simply reduce the set speed for that part of the trajectory.

The point I was making is different: when I am driving on a motorway, so largely consistent speeds and relatively flat trajectory, the CC definitely makes for a smoother ride, and thus less waste of energy, as opposed to the fluctuations of managing the throttle manually (I know it's the foot, not the hand, thanks ).

John is right to say that CC has no intelligence, well not in the human sense of the word. Neither has a computer got any intelligence. However, you won't beat a computer at computation, similarly, you won't be able to fine manage the throttle as smoothly and consistently as an engaged CC can.

Does this mean that CC is always, in all circumstances, under all conditions, the better choice? Of course not, but I don't recall anyone making such a claim anyway. Extreme examples are just that: at the extremes or even outside the tool's application domain.

A tool is just that: a specialised instrument for specific application. Would anyone claim that a screwdriver is a rubbish tool because it is no good at hammering a nail in a piece of wood?

CC does not replace the driver anymore than a saw and a hammer replace the carpenter. Nevertheless, a good carpenter will use saws and hammers and in fact one trademark of an expert versus an amateur carpenter is their skill at getting the best out of their tools.

 

[C43AMG]

I use cruise control a lot and can't wait for the Distronic + on the new Sclass.

 

[crockers]

A tool is just that: a specialised instrument for specific application. Would anyone claim that a screwdriver is a rubbish tool because it is no good at hammering a nail in a piece of wood?

quote]

I often hammer in the screws..................now I know where I'm going wrong..:bannana:

 

[television]

I think a few of you are missing the point. Cruise Control is a tool, it is not a replacement for the driver's intelligence.



Similarly, if I'm going uphill with the CC on and this causes the engine to go to a gear that is too high, I can simply reduce the set speed for that part of the trajectory.

The point I was making is different: when I am driving on a motorway, so largely consistent speeds and relatively flat trajectory, the CC definitely makes for a smoother ride, and thus less waste of energy, as opposed to the fluctuations of managing the throttle manually (I know it's the foot, not the hand, thanks ).

John is right to say that CC has no intelligence, well not in the human sense of the word. Neither has a computer got any intelligence. However, you won't beat a computer at computation, similarly, you won't be able to fine manage the throttle as smoothly and consistently as an engaged CC can.

Does this mean that CC is always, in all circumstances, under all conditions, the better choice? Of course not, but I don't recall anyone making such a claim anyway. Extreme examples are just that: at the extremes or even outside the tool's application domain.



.

Distronic is the way to go, I am one of the only people on the forum to have it and use it frequently. It is a system that can work out whats going on up to 100m ahead and adjust the speed so gently that its hard to notice that your car is slowing down, in my case its coupled to the low revving V8 that does not change down is the car picks up speed or on a incline.

Even on a 40mph B road, I can set it to 50mph and set the distance from the car in front, from that point on the car drives its self, with no sudden gear changes, its just like your normal driving but the gap in front is sorted out for you

CC on English motorways is almost a waste of time at busy times, the only time I used it was coming home in the early hours of the morning

I have been teased in other forums over the distronic, but if you have not tried it, then you are missing out big time with the most useful aid that I have ever had

 

[MBManInKen]

CC on English motorways is almost a waste of time at busy times, the only time I used it was coming home in the early hours of the morning

I don't really agree with that, because even on the busy M4 and M25 I can often drive along with the CC engaged for long distances. But you make a valid point:

I have been teased in other forums over the distronic, but if you have not tried it, then you are missing out big time with the most useful aid that I have ever had

I think you are quite right about that and I regret not getting my s-class with distronic. My next one will definitely have it.

 

[glojo]

I think it is very much burying your head in the sand if we dismiss any aid that assists the driver and makes the work load either easier, or more relaxing, there is a place for cruise control and I for one like this option. I have read with great interest television's comments about distronic, and it is quite right to say don't knock it, till you try it.

 

[hawk20]

I think you are quite right about that and I regret not getting my s-class with distronic. My next one will definitely have it.

A chauffeur is even better.
I've tried distronic and think it makes driving a real yawn -literally in some cases. I think it has the potential to be one of the most dangerous inventions ever.

There is a real issue about how much we want electronics to do more and more for us so we are hardly driving at all. If it would steer as well you could read a book but where is the driving pleasure in watching distronic do it for you?

I can see for tired business people after a long week and commuting back on a Friday that it has appeal. I can see that for gadget lovers it has appeal. But for normal mileage people who enjoy driving, I cannot see the gain. Fortunately for those like me who think it should be banned, my local Honda dealer and local Merc dealer say it is one of the least chosen extras. Like headlamps that go round corners I think it may die through lack of public support.

 

[television]

Just a couple of more points with it.
I never like to drive to close to the car in front,apart from any risk I think about stone chips. On a busy motorway when distronic is set to the max 100m range, that can allow other cars to overtake and cut in, this has the effect of slowing my car a little, with the adjustable thumb wheel I adjust the distance from the car in front and reduce the gap slightly and this keeps other people from filling the gap in front, or most of them.

Driving on the 3052 coast road to Exeter for lunch on Wednesday, thats 27 miles of road passing through a few small villages, I only had to resume twice after traffic lights and the road was busy taking 50 mins to do the journey

Finding Distronic is like finding hens teeth on a new or secondhand car, my best friend who buys his MBs new and always with every option told me it was a must. Most cars that support it that go to the USA have it.

At £1635 in 2006 it is not cheap

 

[C43AMG]

Like headlamps that go round corners I think it may die through lack of public support.[/QUOTE]

I doubt it very much.

 

[television]

A chauffeur is even better.
I've tried distronic and think it makes driving a real yawn -literally in some cases. I think it has the potential to be one of the most dangerous inventions ever.

Why is that then

There is a real issue about how much we want electronics to do more and more for us so we are hardly driving at all. If it would steer as well you could read a book but where is the driving pleasure in watching distronic do it for you?
Driving pleasure, Lexus have gone one better, they can follow the white line in the center of the road, so you can read that book if you wish. sitting behind cars is an evil that we are all faced with, I get my pleasure on the open road

I can see for tired business people after a long week and commuting back on a Friday that it has appeal. I can see that for gadget lovers it has appeal. But for normal mileage people who enjoy driving, I cannot see the gain. Fortunately for those like me who think it should be banned, my local Honda dealer and local Merc dealer say it is one of the least chosen extras. Like headlamps that go round corners I think it may die through lack of public support.

Why should it be banned, and it is far from a gadget, if it cannot cope with any situation it sounds the bleeper. I use it more than anything else on the car, and everything known is on my car. Its popular in USA, Germany and Holland

The automatic gear box was frowned upon when they first came to the UK as people said it takes out all of the driving pleasure

 

[MBManInKen]

A chauffeur is even better.

No, I do like driving myself. It's one of those classic urban myths that you get "less" driving pleasure out of your car when it has all these gadgets, an auto box etc.

The reality is that all these comfort and safety features make for a much more pleasurable drive - to me at least, and by the looks of it for many other people too.

There is a real issue about how much we want electronics to do more and more for us so we are hardly driving at all. If it would steer as well you could read a book but where is the driving pleasure in watching distronic do it for you?

Driving to me is about making decisions, anticipating, and enjoying the smoothness and comfort of the ride. I went on a long trip through France this summer. It was a much more enjoyable, real driving experience because of my current car's comfort and wealth of tools and driving features, not despite them.

I have always thoroughly enjoyed driving a vehicle, so much more so than being a passenger. Having more tools and features increases that pleasure to me, not decreases it. I accept different people might have different ideas, but I see little reason for banning all these highly useful tools. Let everyone do as they like. And based on the free market tendencies, it seems a majority of us have similar experiences as I have.

 

[eurico]

Sometimes I miss my Orange coloured Avenger Tiger with twin 40 Dellorto's. (RS 1600 Escort eater)

I used a Smiths Vacuum Guage mounted in an added on 3 dial instrument cluster box, on top of the dash to try and save my fuel, back in the late 70s.

Those where the days!
My mate and I built up a Renault 4L with a 1.4 l 70 hp engine and 5 speed gearbox from a 5 TS. No hatch was fast enough for us and you should see the other guy's face when we overtook him in full blast as if it was normal for a 4L to pass a Golf III!!! Unforgetable!
I s#!t you not when I tell you no Ferrari or Porsche could ever have same effect:bannana:

 

[eurico]

Like headlamps that go round corners I think it may die through lack of public support.

I doubt it very much.[/quote]

I drove a Citroen C4 at night in a twisty country back road and I tell you the movable headlamps are very, very usefull indeed. If it dies out it will be for some silly reason as so many usefull things are delayed and stupid cheap stuff is standard equipment just to tick boxes in brochures.

 

[hawk20]

Those where the days!
My mate and I built up a Renault 4L with a 1.4 l 70 hp engine and 5 speed gearbox from a 5 TS. No hatch was fast enough for us and you should see the other guy's face when we overtook him in full blast as if it was normal for a 4L to pass a Golf III!!! Unforgetable!
I s#!t you not when I tell you no Ferrari or Porsche could ever have same effect:bannana:

There is no doubt in my mind that one of the greatest motoring pleasures is the wolf in sheep's clothing. You remind me of an old Riley 1.5 I had in the late sixties, which friends and I tuned up to go like stink. Huge fun. Then the Cortina GT came out and boy did that go! Made our efforts look nothing.

As for headlamps that go round corners, they are not costless -in fact quite dear. And I think few will choose to pay. We shall see. Ditto Distronic and half the new gadgets. I think, rightly or wrongly time will tell, that at last we have done most of the really useful extras and are now scratching around for new things to sell -not very successfully.

Auto boxes, folding mirrors, cruise and so on, you could see that they were really useful and folks would pay for them, but the new crop seem way down the desirability list.

 

[crockers]

At £1635 in 2006 it is not cheap

If fitted to all cars as standard this price would soon fall..............

 

[MBManInKen]

at last we have done most of the really useful extras and are now scratching around for new things to sell

That is a classic. If I would get money every time since the industrial revolution that someone has said that only to be overtaken once again by innovation and development, I would buy another s-class just for fun (with distronic ).

My job is in technology R&D. In the 80s, when working on the GSM standard, I remember people saying similar things about telephony. If we would have listened to those views, we would not have mobile phones and their huge impact on citizenship as we have them today (on the plus side, we would not have crazy frog ringtones either - I wonder how many saw that one coming, I certainly didn't ).

 

[MBManInKen]

If fitted to all cars as standard this price would soon fall..............

Exactly. If you're my age, you'll know what they used to charge you for abs, now standard on most cars.