Skyrocketing Gas Prices Spark Debate: Is Cruise Control Worth Using Today?
By James H. Sterling
Automation is not universally efficient. Cruise control systems possess no visual foresight; they lack the ability to anticipate approaching elevation changes. When a vehicle begins ascending a steep grade, standard cruise systems detect falling speed and abruptly open the throttle to match the baseline setting. If the climb is steep enough, the transmission drops one or two gears, driving the tachometer past 4,000 RPM.
A skilled human driver takes the opposite approach. Experienced hypermilers leverage kinetic momentum: they build modest speed before the incline, allow velocity to bleed off slightly during the climb to prevent aggressive downshifting, and recover momentum on the subsequent descent using gravity. Cruise control does the exact reverse, burning excessive gasoline on the way up and frequently engaging friction brakes or aggressive engine braking on the way down to prevent exceeding the set limit.
| Driving Environment | MPG Impact (vs. Manual Driving) | Primary Operating Mechanism | Recommended Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Interstate Highway | +7% to +14% Improvement | Eliminates human throttle drift; preserves steady-state RPM | Cruise Control Engaged |
| Rolling Hills / Moderate Grades | -3% to -8% Penalty | Abrupt downshifts and high-throttle climbing cycles | Manual Throttle Control |
| Mountain Passes & Canyons | -10% to -15% Penalty | Wide-open throttle climbing; wasted brake kinetic energy | Manual Throttle Control |
| Dense Stop-and-Go Traffic | -5% to -12% Penalty | Repeated brake-and-accelerate recovery sequences | System Switched Off |
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
