How does manual cruise control work?

Getting to know your device

Manual cruise control is designed to save gasoline and other types of existing fuel. The system is designed for use on premium cars. After all, the movement process occurs in such a way that the driver constantly has to change the level of speed, increasing and slowing it down. Then he is guided by the speedometer. Such speed fluctuations result in uneven fuel consumption and constant driver distraction.

Adaptive Cruise Control System

The most advanced service for cruise control is its adaptive version. It allows you to control the speed limit of the vehicle in front, and based on the data received, the speed parameters of your own car are adjusted. Such services are usually called active, in contrast to classic passive ones.

Modern service is capable of operating at speeds of 30-200 km/h. They are already equipped with certain middle-class and premium segment models. In some cases, such systems monitor not only the nearest vehicle, but also take into account road markings, ensuring movement in the required lane.

When the car begins to approach the front car, a signal is sent to the driver about a change in road conditions. Such actions help to quickly respond to a possible obstacle. More advanced cruise controls independently perform maneuvers involving braking or other actions on the car. Such services provide drivers and passengers with increased safety conditions.

System advantages

Statistics show that using manual cruise control allows you to save fuel by an average of 12%.

In addition, maintaining a constant speed level allows you to protect vehicle parts and mechanisms from rapid wear and save consumable fluids. Experts carried out the necessary calculations and found that it is possible to achieve a reduction in financial costs within 2%. Thanks to the use of modern cruise control systems on manuals, you can get many additional options. This includes scanning the free space that opens in front of the car. This way the driver can find out if there are any unexpected obstacles in his way.

The lower speed limit is between 30 and 50 km/h. The level of the upper speed limit will depend on who the vehicle manufacturer is. As a rule, the performance of such a system varies from 200 to 220 km/h. At a low level of travel speed, for example, if there is a traffic jam, the driver will only need to control using the steering wheel. And the function of the system in this case will be to automatically increase and decrease the speed of movement by adjusting the brake pedals and gas handle.

Install cruise control on manual? Easily!

Stas [stas90]

17.11.2018,

Cruise has long become a common option even for cars with minimal configuration with automatic transmission. This happened due to the fact that its organization requires only additional electronic devices, sometimes sensors. In most cases, installation of additional mechanical devices such as a separate throttle control is not required. Installed a couple of additional buttons, an electronic unit - and off we went!

The cruise control system for cars with an automatic transmission provides for a lower (or higher) transmission shift when driving on geographically uneven terrain (downhill or uphill). This ensures optimal engine load, fuel consumption, and toxic emissions. In the case of a manual gearbox, automatic transmission shifting is practically impossible. In this case, when installing an additional cruise control module, the driver must determine at what speed to set the manual transmission lever before turning on the cruise.

If the car is used for long trips over long distances, driving on non-mountainous terrain and on high-quality highways, you can purchase a cruise system as an additional equipment.

Its installation does not cause any technical difficulties. Some models can be installed in just a few minutes.

How is the vehicle speed adjusted in modern “additional cruise” systems?

The simplest systems automatically regulate the speed limit by opening and closing the throttle valve. When driving on a slight slope, the car requires an increase in engine torque. If in a car the damper is adjusted using a cable, then an additional cable system with an electric drive, controlled by the cruise electronics, is installed.

Recently, most throttle valve regulators have been designed electronically. A position sensor is installed on the accelerator pedal. The signal from it comes to the engine control unit. Next, the information is converted into a number, which, after processing in the electronic unit, is sent to the electric throttle drive. As feedback, the damper has its own position sensor. The system is complex but reliable. If an additional electronic cruise unit is introduced into such a system, then it will work instead of the driver’s right foot adjusting the gas pedal, leaving the speed constant. From this point of view, when driving over rough terrain, with intense interference, using a cruise with mechanics is unprofitable.

Disadvantages of cruising with a manual transmission

The main disadvantage is the ineffectiveness of the system when driving on uneven ground. The throttle control level may not be sufficient to make significant power adjustments. With the maximum automatic opening of the damper, fuel consumption and the level of toxicity of exhaust gases significantly increase. Wheel slip may occur on slippery road surfaces. Therefore, if the car is operated in various conditions, including urban conditions, the effectiveness of additional cruise is low. If the car is equipped with a diesel engine, the characteristics of which are uniform over a wide speed range, cruise on a manual transmission works effectively. Activation of the system usually occurs while traveling at speeds not exceeding the maximum speed for a given section of the route. In this case, it is better to choose the maximum or previous position of the box.

How to install

First of all, you should choose a model of an additional device that fully matches the car model and gearbox type. An attempt to install a “universal” cruise or modify a non-original model usually leads to failure. Now there are many original models, for example, the following is suitable for a Priora with mechanics: Drivenge Lada Priora MT.

The manufacturer of Drivenge states that the device is certified by the Priora manufacturer, so warranty support is not interrupted when installing this model. Honestly, it's doubtful, especially if you do the installation yourself. I wouldn't risk it.

Drivenge operates in the following modes:

• economy;
• sport;
• drive.

I won’t explain: it’s clear without additional words. The cruise is activated by a button. Deactivation occurs when you press the brake, gas pedal, or press the button again. More details about the operating manual can be found at the link www.drivenge.ru/shop/files/DRIVENGE_usermanual.pdf

The additional kit includes:

• steering column controller;
• electronic cruise module;
• a set of wires for connecting to the car wiring using special clips (no need to cut or insulate soldering);
• plastic clamps;
• instructions.

Technical features:

• saving a preset mode;
• cruising speed adjustment with an accuracy of 1 km/h;
• deactivation of the mode by the gas and brake pedals;
• switching modes;
• connection to a computer to update programs;
• writing presets to eeprom (non-volatile memory).

The cost of Drivenge Lada Priora MT is from 7,000 rubles, installation – from 1,500. Installing it yourself is not difficult.

It’s even easier to install such a cruise for Jet-Cruise Kia Soul MT, cars from 2014 and younger. It is programmed and controlled using an additional key fob. Obviously, that’s why it costs five thousand more. It is connected simply: to the OBD connector and to the gas pedal.

If you search on the Internet, you can find additional cruise devices for other brands of cars. There is one very important advantage of cruise control: there is no need to monitor compliance with the maximum speed along the route when driving on an open highway with numerous photo control points. There is also a significant drawback: weakening of the driver’s attention to the road situation. The road does not forgive this.

Description of the cruise control circuit

For example, let's take the new Lada, which does not have a mechanical cruise control system.

The following components of the structure will control the speed of movement:

• The control module or control unit is a kind of computer microprocessor located in the engine compartment.
• Throttle actuator of electric or pneumatic type. This depends on what type of fuel supply system is used. This drive and throttle assembly are connected together.
• A switch is a device that has access to the steering wheel, center console or the area where the control panel is located. The purpose of the above switch is to activate and deactivate the system.
• Types of controllers. The different number of sensors in this system is explained by the fact that everything depends on the manufacturer and brand. Both high-speed rotation of the wheel and control of the speed of the rotating wheels and the throttle element can be ensured.

If a cruise control system is installed in the new Lada, the unit will be integrated into the system responsible for controlling a specific vehicle.

Types of cruise control

Passive type system

is a simple device that is designed to maintain a given speed. The system includes sensors, a control unit, and a throttle valve actuator.

The mechanism of operation of passive cruise control is very simple. When the speed reaches the optimal level, in the driver's opinion, he activates the system. ECU sensors remember speed and throttle position. If road conditions change (for example, the car is moving downhill or uphill), the sensors notify the ECU, and the control unit sends a signal to the throttle actuator. To maintain a stable speed, the actuator must open or close the valve. Active

cruise control is most often called
adaptive
.

Features of work

Installing cruise control on a manual transmission is considered unrealistic for many car enthusiasts. But upon detailed study of the issue, you can find out that such an installation can even be done with your own hands. The main thing is to think through the feasibility of such an action. Indeed, in addition to the advantages listed above, the cruise control system also has some disadvantages. They will be discussed further below.

This function is provided for automation and is used in most premium models. This is an advantage of having an automatic transmission. You can install the system using normal mode. Installation is straightforward as it only requires using the space provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

Cruise control can be successfully installed on a Lada-Vest if you use a universal device for this purpose.

Let's sum it up

The domestic cruise control system Drivenge is designed for installation on cars with an electric pedal. Cruise control is provided on all modern premium cars. But it is possible to install it yourself even on vehicles that have a manual transmission.

It is advisable to use Drivenge only if the driver constantly drives on a straight, level road. Cruise control is great for residents of country houses. In urban congestion conditions, such a system does not make sense, since the driver will still need to brake and start on his own.

From reviews of the Drivenge cruise control system, we can conclude that Russian manufacturers have created products of good quality. Some users suggest improving the text of the instructions indicating the sequence of work to install this cruise control system. The installation of the system itself does not require a significant investment of time and is accessible to any car enthusiast and even a beginner.

Expert advice

It’s possible to install cruise control on a manual manual. The advice given by professionals will help with this. As mentioned above, a universal device is used for mechanics. It is desirable that it be German, since these systems are of high quality and, according to consumer reviews, are quite reliable. Choosing a high-quality cruise control system is a guarantee of protection against malfunctions and breakdowns that may be caused by overloads. The cause of overload is incomplete compatibility between the vehicle and the universal cruise control system.

When to Use Driving

The basic cruise control system is best suited for fast, empty routes such as motorways or highways, where you can continue driving at the same speed.

It is not suitable for winding roads where you have to periodically slow down or drive at variable speeds. If you don't have adaptive cruise control, it will probably be easier to control your speed yourself or use a speed limiter, which is often installed in cars along with cruise control.

Installation Features

To successfully connect the multi-steering wheel to the Lada-Vest, you will need to additionally install a bracket and an accelerator cable. This will provide the ability to control the speed level of the vehicle. Installing cruise control also requires installing a button that will control the device. It is located under the deflector. Knowing these features is important for a successful installation.

Studying the instructions

The Drivenge cruise control controls required for its operation are grouped on one of the vehicle's display panels or on the steering wheel. To turn it on, press the button indicated by the cruise control symbol: a speedometer symbol with an arrow pointing to the set speed.

The most common way to operate the Drivenge cruise control is to use the following buttons:

• Set. Click this button to activate the system.
• “UP” and “DOWN” (“+” and “-”): they regulate the vehicle speed set by the Drivenge cruise control. If on a motorway the driver approaches a series of roadworks with a lower speed limit, the "-" button can be pressed to reduce the set speed.

It is always possible to override any Drivenge cruise control actions using the vehicle's pedals: pressing the brakes instantly pauses the system and slows the vehicle in the same way as if the system was off. When you press the accelerator, the speed of the car increases. When you take your foot off the pedal, the cruise control usually remains on and returns the car to the set speed.

How to connect the system if the manufacturer did not provide it

First of all, you first need to make sure how good the car components are. Good tires must be installed. If these conditions are not met, the machine should not be allowed to operate automatically. If all systems are in working order, the driver will ensure his safety.

It is important to pay attention to the presence of a sensor that controls the location of the accelerator pedal. If there is one, you will need to purchase an additional bracket. You can also install it yourself.

Cruise control system installation steps

It will take an hour to complete the work. Then it is also necessary to check the operation of the system and eliminate any existing problems. The sequence of work is as follows:

• Select the location where the system will be located. As a rule, this is a fuel filter, but a brake hose can also be used.
• We connect the second cable and the accelerator. Before cutting it, you need to install a sensor that controls how the gas pedal is positioned. The other end must be connected to the cruise control device.
• Find the wire that connects to the tachometer and ensure its connection to the new device. This wire is also connected to the green wire coming from the control unit. The red wire is connected to the brake light system.
• A button is installed that is responsible for activating and deactivating the cruise control system. Here they use a double gray wire. Pulling ground from the black wire is mandatory.
• Since the steering wheel is required to install the system control handle, it will need to be disassembled. If there are airbags, they will need to be temporarily removed. After installing the handle, the steering wheel is assembled.
• The serviceability of the system is checked. For cruise control to be activated, all you need to do is press a button on the device.

cruise control on 2114, any other ideas? — DRIVE2

oklik.name/project/kk/e_gaz/index.html link

The first version of cruise control (hereinafter CC) has been prepared for cars equipped with EPG (electronic gas pedal). The diagram of the previous CC for a mechanical damper was taken as a basis; some parts and the motor driver were removed from the diagram. A DAC, an operational amplifier to increase the reliability of the DAC, and a matching circuit for the EPG with the ECU are installed. The matching circuit is designed in such a way that even if the power supply from the control unit is lost, the pedal remains operational, which is important for traffic safety. Also, the pedal remains in operation even when the CC is active, that is, you can calmly press the pedal and speed up the car, say, to overtake. By releasing the gas pedal, the CC will start working again and maintain the set stabilization speed

Due to poor-quality speed sensors on some cars, there are problems with the accuracy of the CC. The operation of this circuit has been tested on the VAZ 1118 Kalina. In the new firmware with a new driver for measuring speed and averaging speed, it was possible to fix the problems of low-quality DS, but they were not 100% tested.