Cruise Control

[Dam Worker]

I usually use my Cruise Control while towing when in light traffic. I pop it out of CC and OD if tranny starts hunting or if I know that a steep hill will drop me into drive. If traffic starts to build up I also go to the peddle. It is amazing how many times I get passed by a car and then a mile or two down the road I pass them. This can happen more than once and I have to smile because my speed has not changed.

Do most of you use Cruise Control or the peddle?

Tom Marty

[Fire5er]

I use Cruise as much as possible...love it.

[rohrmann]

Cruise, tow/haul, and exhaust brake, a great combination.

[Artemus Gordon]

You bet CC is excellent way improving MPG!

[Rob Walters]

Absolutely cruise control. I just had to have my tranny rebuilt because I didn't lock out OD when I towed. Please be careful with that so you can avoid that MAJOR expense.

[lawrenceb42106]

Cruise, tow/haul, and exhaust brake. Works good for us.

[1retired06]

cruise and tow haul, love them both

[DonandBonnie]

Sorry to disagree, but our absolute worst fuel mileage came when we used cruise control. It's pedal to the metal in the uphill mode and higher rpm's in the down hills as it downshifts to hold that set cruise speed. With both uphill and downhill the engine is working harder (burning more fuel) than it has to.

[mlh]

I don't often use my CC. My trucks works like the above truck.
Lynwood

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by rohrmann

Cruise, tow/haul, and exhaust brake, a great combination.

This would be me also.

[richfaa]

Agree with Don and Bonnie we do not use CC on steep grades as the CC tries to keep speed and the TH looks for the proper gear.We disengage CC on steep grades and manually control the speed.

[davidaf]

I never use CC unless I'm out on the open road on a long trip even then it's seldom and mainly to give my foot a brief rest.

[Eagleback]

I set the cruise in tow/haul and exhaust brake, but only on flat land, in the hills I control the rig.

[drknapp]

Like several of you, we use it on relatively flat portions (like a lot of I5 in the central valley of California), but take it out of cruise if there are any larger hills or mountains. Our exhaust brake only works if the CC is off.

[Eagleback]

quote:Originally posted by drknapp

Like several of you, we use it on relatively flat portions (like a lot of I5 in the central valley of California), but take it out of cruise if there are any larger hills or mountains. Our exhaust brake only works if the CC is off.

I love the Ram exhaust brake control, I can set it to just brake or in tow/haul it will down shift the trans then brake, but what I really love is I can hit the button a second time and if I'm on a hill I leave the accelerator alone and when I want the truck to hold a down hill speed I just tap the brake pedal once and the truck will hold that speed. Its not about getting to the top first but getting down the other side safely after that.

[sambam]

I don't use CC when towing. Heck, I rarely use it when unloaded, in either of my vehicles. No particular reason, just personal preference. But, while towing, I feel more in control of things when using the pedal.

[BB_TX]

I use to use it a lot, but have started using it less except on really flat terrain. Cruise is reactive meaning it does not respond until it sees speed drop 2/3 mph below set point when starting up a hill. Then it had to accelerate harder and likely drop down a gear and rev up rpms to regain set point speed. Then when topping the hill it will overshoot set point a little before shifting back to higher gear and dropping the rpms.

By using the pedal I am proactive. When approaching a hill I will accelerate slightly to hold speed going into the hill and most of the time keep it in the higher gear and lower rpms. And when approaching the top of the hill I will begin letting off the throttle and avoid the speed increase when hitting the crest. I have found by doing that I get better fuel mileage than letting the CC do it for me. I pretty much only use cruise to occasionally rest my foot.

[twindman]

I use CC and engine brake almost all the time. When I come to a steep hill I will use foot to gain a little speed. Downhill the cruise downshifts at about 5 mph over set point. I don't see how you can say you do better without it, as the only way to slow down is to brake or downshift.
You need to get a Chevy! Mine never hunts for the right gear and I can go down almost any mountain without touching the brakes. Since I just came over Beathard pass in Co. I have the proof!!!

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by Fire5er

I use Cruise as much as possible...love it.

Yep, that's what it's for.

[rohrmann]

I've also found, when using cruise, and coming down a hill, if I want to go a little slower, I just tap the cruise '-' button a couple times, or as much as I want to kick the exhaust brake to slow down even more. It seems, the more load you have, whether in the bed or towing, the better the exhaust brake works.