Eggy Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I'm new to this forum so here goes: After enjoying cruise control on various cars and my K1200 BMW motorcycle (power to weight ratio all very good), I'm considering having it fitted to my M/Home Fiat 2.8 JTD, (possibly whilst attending the Peterborough show). Aside from the obvious comfort of whilst driving, the other issue is of claimed increased fuel conusmption, although since new (2yrs and 8,500mls) my average is 28mpg which I have no complaints about, I'm concerned that on an up an up hill stretch the cruise control will attempt to "maintain speed" and thus push the accelerator flat out thus wasting fuel, whereas on manual control the pressure on the accelerator can be gauged and a gear downshift be more contolled, I'm a great believer of a "light" throttle foot" so does anyone out there have experience of Cruise control fitted to a M/Home, is it best to disengage when travelling uphill? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Hi Eggy and welcome to the forum. You are quite correct in your thoughts re cruise winding up to full throttle to go up a steep hill. I never use the possibility of fuel economy to sell cruise systems as any potential savings are down to the drivers style, a lead footed driver will probably see some improvement but a light footed driver like yourself probably won't. In fact I have cruise on my motorhome (1990 Autohomes Highwayman on Talbot Express with 2.0 litre petrol) and on average I get 1 MPG better economy driving it manually than when using the cruise. Such a small difference doesn't go anywhere near outweighing the other advantages of cruise for me though. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miami Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I have had one fited to ours as I was also used to it on the car. I agree that it will try to push the pedal to the floor on steep hills so I turn it off but it is great on a long run. Certainly is worth having and I haven't noticed an increase in fuel consumption in fact the opposite. I think they work better on an automatic gearbox like ours . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggy Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 Thanks for the replies, as I suspected it would be best to disengage going up hill, just didn,t want any "sales patter" about economy when I enquire about having it fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Hi Eggy,Why not ask Dave Newell to quote you a price? - you won't do any better.Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Cruise Control - Best investment ever made, car and Motorhome. No more cramp in the ankle or flats on the backside! Its even easier to adhere to the speed limits! For a bit of background also have a look at :- http://www.motts.dsl.pipex.com/Cruise%20Control.htm Talk to Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Hi Eggy Cruise Control is one of my must haves and I would not have a motorhome without it. For whatever reason I find an improvement in my fuel consumption with a 2.5TD Pug engined Boxer. In our case the uphill question seldom arises as when cruise is activated if it detects more than a preset percentage of speed loss it automatically cuts out anyway and if you are concentrating on your driving you use the control to your advantage, not let it take you over! Cruise doesn't take away your driving skills ours being a manual, if I see an approaching hill that requires a change down, as you would do if you were driving without cruise I just change down and the cruise control automatically shuts off as soon as you depress the clutch and you either drive manually or reset the cruise control in the lower gear if it is a long slow hill. It's like a lot of things, Sat Nav for instance, it is just a tool to help you with your driving it should not take it over!! Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I have it as standard on my new ford based EuraMobil and it is excellent, all controls are on steering wheel and it is easy to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 As Basil says there is no need to disengage the cruise when ascending hills, if the road speed drops by more than about 15% of the set speed the cruise will automatically disengage. The difference in fuel consumption is so small as to be immaterial either way, the real benefit is driver comfort and avoiding being flashed by speed cameras. D. In edit: if you'd like a quote then please feel free to e-mail me. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest starspirit Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Agreed it is the best thing since built in water tanks and I for another would not be without it on a long run in car or motor home. Well worth the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred grant Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 woulnt be without it in my job!!!!! I can take me hands off the steering with cruise. mind you at 8mph and 12mpg us dont really know if it makes any difference to costs. but it means i can get through the daily mirrer by the time ive done two laps. fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 fred grant - 2007-04-03 10:12 PM woulnt be without it in my job!!!!! I can take me hands off the steering with cruise. mind you at 8mph and 12mpg us dont really know if it makes any difference to costs. but it means i can get through the daily mirrer by the time ive done two laps. fred Just don't go putting the coffee pot on Fred! D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest starspirit Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Why not - perhaps the coffee pot would look good on Fred? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred grant Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 fraid farmers cant afford coffee, its has to be a drop of scrumpy for i. i do get rationed tho. f Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest starspirit Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 'Rationed' is a new way of putting what scrumpy does to you Fred? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggy Posted April 5, 2007 Author Share Posted April 5, 2007 Thanks for all the replies, it's encouraged me to have it fitted, so called DN today and booked it in. The "Hands off reading the paper" reminded me of one of the top ten court cases in America, a guy had collected his brand new RV and was driving home, engaged cruise control and got up to make a cup of tea!! naturally the RV ran off the road and overturned, it was totalled. The driver survived and sued the RV company for not putting it in the manual explaining that you must remain in the driving seat, He won!! and was awarded a new RV. As a result the company amended the manual to state the bleeding obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Seem to think I have heard that one perhaps a thousand times. chas :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Dave Newell - 2007-04-03 7:16 PM As Basil says there is no need to disengage the cruise when ascending hills, if the road speed drops by more than about 15% of the set speed the cruise will automatically disengage. The difference in fuel consumption is so small as to be immaterial either way, the real benefit is driver comfort and avoiding being flashed by speed cameras. D. In edit: if you'd like a quote then please feel free to e-mail me. D. Hello DaveHow does cc respond when descending hills? You say it stops you setting off the Gatsos, but there is no link to the brakes, is there? Ta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 Hi Brian, you're quite correct the cc doesn't apply the brakes but, with the exception of very steep hills the engine braking will hold your speed down if you're in the right gear. Its not guaranteed to prevent speeding but on the majority of roads it will keep you safely under the limit (assuming you've set it just below the limit of course). On the Transit Durashift I was impressed to find the gearbox downshifted to keep the speed down, it was almost as if the cruise and durashift were made for each other. I've not found any other gearbox do this as good as the tranny does. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 It does if you have the OEM cruise system provided by Mercedes for their cars. There is even a mode that lets you drive the car normally with the pedal but it stops you exceeding a pre-set speed limit. Ideal for thrashing about town!. But afterfit systems? NO, it only controls the throttle. Go on, just get it fitted, you won,t regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miami Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 chas - 2007-04-05 3:27 PM Seem to think I have heard that one perhaps a thousand times. chas :-( And apparently it is not true!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 Thanks Dave and Clive, I'm duly impressed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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