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Cruise control is one of those features we often take for granted. It makes long drives more comfortable, helps improve fuel efficiency, and lets your foot take a break from the gas pedal. But despite its convenience, there are times when using cruise control can actually reduce your safety on the road.
If you rely on cruise control without understanding its limits, you could end up reacting slower—or worse, putting yourself in a risky situation. Here's what every driver should know about when not to use cruise control and why it’s not a “set-it-and-forget-it” feature.
One of the biggest downsides to cruise control is that it can make drivers less alert. When your foot isn’t actively controlling the speed, it’s easy to zone out or become overly relaxed. That might not seem like a big deal until traffic suddenly slows down or a car swerves into your lane.
Even a half-second delay in response time can make a huge difference in avoiding a crash. Cruise control doesn’t remove your responsibility to stay fully engaged with the road—it just changes how you interact with your vehicle.
Using cruise control in bad weather is a well-known no-no, but many drivers still do it out of habit. The problem? Cruise control maintains speed no matter what, even when traction is reduced. If you hit a slick patch while cruising, your wheels can spin too fast or lose grip completely.
Without cruise control, your instinct would be to ease off the gas. But when the system is active, your car keeps applying power until you cancel it—which increases your chances of hydroplaning or sliding out of control.
The same goes for icy roads, snowy conditions, or even heavy rain: If the pavement isn't dry, cruise control should stay off.
Cruise control is great for open highways—but in urban traffic or areas with frequent speed changes, it becomes a hassle. You’ll find yourself constantly turning it on and off, which defeats the purpose and may even distract you.
In stop-and-go conditions, adaptive cruise systems (which adjust to the speed of the car in front) can be helpful, but standard cruise control doesn’t react to other vehicles. You’re still in charge of braking, lane changes, and adjusting for slower drivers, so it’s safer to maintain manual control when traffic is unpredictable.
Cruise control is designed to keep your speed steady, but when you’re going up or down hills, that can backfire. On steep inclines, the system will push your engine harder to maintain speed, which can stress components and increase fuel use.
On the way down, some systems may allow the car to pick up speed unintentionally unless you intervene. This can catch drivers off guard, especially if they’re expecting the system to keep everything perfectly level. If you’re in hilly terrain, keeping your foot on the gas and brake pedal gives you more control.
Cruise control is a great feature when used under the right conditions. Long highway drives on dry, open roads are where it shines. It helps with fuel efficiency, reduces driver fatigue, and keeps you at a steady pace—especially in areas with strict speed limits.
Just remember that it’s a tool—not a replacement for your focus or your responsibility behind the wheel.
Modern vehicles now come with adaptive cruise control, which can adjust your speed based on the distance to the car ahead. While it’s more advanced, it still has limitations. Adaptive systems can be confused by stop-and-go traffic, sharp curves, or vehicles cutting into your lane.
They also don’t respond to road hazards, debris, or changing weather—so even with this technology, you still need to stay alert and ready to react.
At Rainier Automotive in Maple Valley, WA, we believe safety always comes first. Whether you need a cruise control diagnostic, a brake check, or just solid advice on how your vehicle’s systems work, our experienced team is here to help.