Cruise - More Economical With than Without?

**65gilly** · 24th March 2007, 22:22

I travel 60 miles each way to work and return 37/38 to gallon from my 2.2 direct petrol. Sometimes I wonder if I could do better without the cruise?

This is worked out with the on board computer which I trust as the one in my Y reg 2.6 V6 was always spot on, though it did not have cruise and occasionally I could get that up to the dizzy heights of 34!

**vectrahuw** · 24th March 2007, 22:24

thats a long wway to go to work!
im getting 29miles to the gallon from my 1.8 sri, thats motorway and around town. so u must bo doing ok!

**Gsi3.2** · 24th March 2007, 22:24

sometimes i find it's better without cruise, and i'd notice at 24ish mpg..

i think the cruise control uses more fuel.. it's great for speed cameras and specs units, but for general driving i don't use it..

**Neil** · 24th March 2007, 22:24

Originally Posted by 65gilly

I travel 60 miles each way to work and return 37/38 to gallon from my 2.2 direct petrol. Sometimes I wonder if I could do better without the cruise?

This is worked out with the on board computer which I trust as the one in my Y reg 2.6 V6 was always spot on, though it did not have cruise and occasionally I could get that up to the dizzy heights of 34!

On a long motorway journey I tend to use cruise and get back around 41mpg, I suppose it depends on the speed of the roads used and local conditions!!

**65gilly** · 24th March 2007, 22:30

Huw, you got a push on approach? Used to get that sort of fuel return off my 106gti, and I ragged that little beauty every day. Used to pull up at work with it panting!

**vectrahuw** · 24th March 2007, 22:31

looking at your figures duz mine sound ok??
29.4 miles a gallon average for around town and motorway for a 1.8 sri.
or does it sound like i need a tune up? my car has nearly dun 100K since 2002.

**65gilly** · 24th March 2007, 22:32

Gsi, I think you are on the mark. Will try next tank, one of the many I put through, to see if I can do better than the computer backed cruise!

**65gilly** · 24th March 2007, 22:34

Originally Posted by vectrahuw

looking at your figures duz mine sound ok??
29.4 miles a gallon average for around town and motorway for a 1.8 sri.
or does it sound like i need a tune up? my car has nearly dun 100K since 2002.

How many miles a year are you notching up?

**65gilly** · 24th March 2007, 22:38

Originally Posted by 2.2 Direct SRi

On a long motorway journey I tend to use cruise and get back around 41mpg, I suppose it depends on the speed of the roads used and local conditions!!

41mpg on motorway possibly for me, mine mpg is combined with town driving as part of the job, maybe 20% of the time?! Not unhappy as I prefer petrol engines and the 2.2 is smooth and nippy, better than my MG ZS which I traded.

**AndrewTi** · 24th March 2007, 23:03

On a run, the cruise is definately an aid to economy. On our lorries at work, we have actually calibrated the engine and throttle ECU's so that on the throttle the max speed is 52 - 53 mph, whereas on the CC, it is 56. The drivers have to get up to speed using the CC + button. This in effect forces them to use it, gaining us approx 1/4 - 1/2 mpg. Doesn't sound much, but they only do between 7 and 9 mpg as it is. Every little helps.

Plus on CC at 56, they are a touch further up the rev range, meaning they have all the torque to fall back on if it were to drop a mph or two on a drag, meaning it will retain or maintain it's speed without having to change down a half or whole gear, wasting more fuel.

Sorry to bore you, but this sort of thing fascinates me!