Cruise Control Downward Drift?

00SilverDan · 08-19-2009, 09:49 PM

Using cruise on a mild 65mph 140 mile trip last weekend, on more than one occasion after a series of small hills the cruise would top out at 62mph when it had been set at 65mph for many miles beforehand. I waited for 15 to 30 seconds, and with the "eco" still glowing green and the speed sitting happily at 62, I started bumping up the speed with "accel" button.

I realize the engine is small, so recovery will be slow - and when hills got deeper than 20 feet or so I cancelled out of cruise and took over manually for better control and mpg. The cruise feature shouldn't drift downward and stay there because of 3 small hills in a row.

Anyone else experience this?

'00 silver Insight 64mpg and '10 light blue Insight 48mpg

corey415 · 08-19-2009, 09:58 PM

Take it off ECO-mode and it will use more throttle to maintain the set speed.

00SilverDan · 08-19-2009, 10:17 PM

It uses plenty of throttle on the hills - the "eco glow" turns an angry purple if it gets down to 61mph. What I'm asking about is the cruise being satisfied with 62mph - not even trying to climb back to 65. It appears to have reset itself to 62mph.

EX Atomic Blue

corey415 · 08-20-2009, 01:05 AM

Did you have ECO-mode on while using cruise? You know the green leaf icon on the upper left of instrument panel?

Cassius · 08-20-2009, 06:17 AM

ive noticed the same thing.

Fl_Fyr_Fytr · 08-20-2009, 07:00 AM

There have been posts before about this. Do a search

CobaltDragon · 08-20-2009, 08:48 AM

If Eco-mode is ON, then this is normal. If Eco-mode is OFF, then this is NOT normal.

Cobb · 08-20-2009, 10:32 AM

Yeah, thats normal. Cruse helps some get fuel economy, but a better driving style where you slow on hill going up, and speed going down gives better fuel economy.

I set mines a few mph over the posted limit so I stay at least the min speed.

00SilverDan · 08-20-2009, 07:48 PM

I did do a search on this forum as a result of the suggestion, and apparently this cruise is subject to acting inconsistently based on some logic that is different than I've experienced in 25 years of driving, if you have it in Econ mode. Good on flat ground, not good on a series of small hills.

Thank you for your "insight".

jpleong · 08-24-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00SilverDan

Good on flat ground, not good on a series of small hills.

"Good" is in how you use it. The delayed acceleration in ECON mode will save you a lot of fuel on a road with small hills since it doesn't punch the throttle while going up a hill. It will also annoy anyone behind you closer than a 1/4 mile

JP