MPG with C/Control on

[st4]

Totally agree with that but it is really a laboratory situation. I would love to know where we could maintain an EXACT speed anywhere in Devon during the height of the day for 'mile after mile'

There is none so blind as those that cannot see and the USA has hundreds of miles of freeway where cruise control is a great way of making the drive more relaxed just like you have rightly said BUT................... Surely you must agree that it then becomes tempting to allow the concentration levels to lower.. Yes we are all perfect drivers, yes we all have our feet hovering over brakes, accelerators, clutches, heads or even ears. The truth however is there are a huge number of accidents where drivers loose concentration and nod off.

I cannot think of anything more boring than piloting a large airliner at night. I have been in the cockpit and seen pilots doing crosswords, playing games, or a dozen other occupations all to try and keep awake. Disconnect the automatic gadgets and make them concentrate would possibly keep them more alert as opposed to just sitting, looking out a window, but I suppose there is none so blind as those that refuse to see

John

A nice example John, and even if my MPG was better with CC I still wouldn't/don't use it as for all the reasons you've sited. I found that when i used it my concentration lapsed and my eyes went heavy. I never get this driving the normal way.

 

[glojo]

A nice example John, and even if my MPG was better with CC I still wouldn't/don't use it as for all the reasons you've sited. I found that when i used it my concentration lapsed and my eyes went heavy. I never get this driving the normal way.

Forgive me father for I have sinned

Many, many years ago I ompleted a 36 hour exercise and without any sleep I thought it a good idea to ride my motorbike from Eastney(Portsmouth) to Stevenage. Somewhere enroute I fell asleep, but quickly and woke up on the wrong side of the road. That was in the days of the sit up style motorbikes, no fairings and the spitfire pilot type goggles, blooming freezing cold winds but I still maqnaged to nod off.

If we are tired, we will fall asleep.

If we loose concentration there is a good chance we will daydream.

Keeping active is a good way of staying alert, but please, please, to all the folks that drive long distances...... Take frequent breaks, stretch the legs and STAY ALERT. Do NOT go without sleep and then think you are fit to drive

Been there, done it, got the T-shirt and survived.

Cruise Control is a great aide but we MUST be aware of its weaknesses. We use cruise control, I like cruise control.

John

 

[hawk20]

The thread is about whether cruise is as economical as a normal driver not about safety. But glojo's points about aeroplanes would be relevant if we were talking about an autopilot for cars like the autopilot on planes and boats. But we are not. Cruise only holds the speed till you brake to go slower, or accelerate to go faster. It does not allow you to play cards or do any of the other daft examples about what can be done on a plane under autopilot. Total concentration is needed to steer and to decide when to brake or cancel cruise. And to anticipate what is happening ahead, overtake when needed, change lanes etc etc. The analogy is hugely flawed.

Distronic gets nearer but is not the subject of this thread. And some may remember this awesome extra: -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwd_d_nYxdI

 

[glojo]

With the greatest of respect, you want it to be flawed but it isn't. If you travel west on the M5 you will see numerous signs saying tiredness kills. These were installed because folks coming down on their holidays would drive long distances without a break. It would not take a rocket scientist to surmise that a lack of concentration makes us droopy, or dopey.

Not using our senses encourages fatigue and whether you personally agree that cruise control is an option that makes driving easier is a personal opinion. It does.

As I said earlier I know of examples where drivers swap over with the car set on cruise control. They will be travelling at high speed along the freeway and just change drivers with the cruise control maintaining the speed of the vehicle. It is quite common to do this on the freeways of America. try doing it without cruise control!!!

It does not allow you to play cards or do any of the other daft examples

I have seen a bus driver going along a road reading a newspaper, i have seen people sending a text whilst driving so please don't suggest that playing cards whilst driving is impossible it is naive and plain wrong to say my example is silly.

what is impossible is for ANY vehicle to maintain an EXACT speed on any public highway. It is impossible but some folks keep trying to say otherwise. Cruise Control will have set parameters, human beings will have these parameters, BUT a human could not probably be as accurate, but why should they. A human being would use common sense, and that is sadly lacking with some folks.

Silly to suggest you cannot play cards whilst driviing .............. It is illegal. It is dangerous, it is wrong but so is overtaking on double white lines!!!!

John

 

[hawk20]

I have seen a bus driver going along a road reading a newspaper, i have seen people sending a text whilst driving so please don't suggest that playing cards whilst driving is impossible it is naive and plain wrong to say my example is silly.

Silly to suggest you cannot play cards whilst driviing .............. It is illegal. It is dangerous, it is wrong but so is overtaking on double white lines!!!!

John

I'm probably a bit odd; I've never read a newspaper, or dealt a hand of cards with my right foot. Must try it some time.

 

[APW E SL ML]

Hi,

I use c/control ALL the time and, frankly, couldn't care a less whether it's more or less fuel efficient than my right foot.

All I know is that I get better mpg in my ML than in many of my previous cars (not SUVs) which never had c/control....so it does for me.

I have never really understood why people with 'expensive' cars worry about an extra/less mpg or two.

Cheers,

Yeah, I agree about the extra mileage thing regards to the overall price of the vehicle, but waste no want not eh?

Also, when you check out the depreciation on that Jag you just bought, you really aren't going to give a damn about the prices at the fuel pumps...

 

[renault12ts]

^ Welcome to the forum. But...the thread is over a year old...

 

[APW E SL ML]

Yeah, I know, but when a comment is posted it's still noted isn't it? So maybe the issue could be revisited - I still don't think there was a definitive answer...

 

[whitenemesis]

Yeah, I know, but when a comment is posted it's still noted isn't it? So maybe the issue could be revisited - I still don't think there was a definitive answer...

Quite correct!

Cruise control maintains a constant speed if the human foot can achieve the same then the same mpg results. BUT the human foot CANNOT do this so any mpg achieved is due to reduced speed (hills )

BUT cruise control is NOT an mpg maximniser but a way of relieving stress/strain on the right foot

 

[lynall]

Cc is the best thing ever.

If you dont use it well tough you think you are doing a constant 80 but you are not, plus you spend all your time looking at the speedo.

Last few cars ive owned have had cc and i use it everywhere.

I probably said the same thing in the previous pages but am to lazy to read them all!

When i first bought the car i did 300 miles at 70 and got 31.5 mpg on cruise.
Most of the time on cruise i am now doing 80 and on long runs get anywhere between 27 and 29 ish.

Mpg is nearly all down to speed.

Ps didnt really need to post that but 3000 is just around the corner!



Lynall

 

[st4]

Ooooooooooooh nooooooooooooo !