How to Know if Your Cruise Control Needs Repairs

For many drivers, cruise control is not just a want (like a subwoofer or remote start technology), it’s a need. Those who drive long distances daily, such as commuters, can use it to destress. Commercial taxi service customers can throw use cruise control while making their customers feel at home. Finally, for those with limited mobility or pain in the leg, a cruise control system can make driving places not only easier but possible in the first place.

We at Brooklyn Park-based Mobile Installations understand that you love your cruise control. That’s why we’ve compiled a few warning signs that may mean that it’s time to get a new one.

Not Maintaining a Consistent Speed

This one is a given. If your cruise control is not serving its purpose, you’ve got a problem on your hands. However, the speed fluctuations can be minute or occasional, so it’s important to know your car’s norm and take action when things start to get funky.

Sometimes, simply resetting the cruise control can restore its functionality—similar to turning a computer off and on again. Every machine hiccups occasionally. To reset your cruise control system, first disengage the cruise control switch in your car. Turn it on again, set a speed, and reapply cruise control.

If your car’s speed still wavers up or down after a reset, then you’ve got a problem that will need the attention of a professional mechanic. Resetting the system can’t fix everything.

What if Cruise Control Doesn’t Respond to the Switch?

If your cruise control won’t turn off while you’re heading down the highway at 70 miles per hour, it’s certainly a problem. Less of a problem and more of an annoyance is if your cruise control decides to take a permanent vacation and not turn on altogether. Either way, you’ll need to see a mechanic.

Common causes of a truly faulty cruise control include:

●        A broken speed sensor

●        A malfunctioning throttle

●        A Blown fuse within the cruise control system itself

●        Malfunctioning transmission

A couple caveats to this—most cruise control systems are designed to disengage automatically if turned on when you’re going less than 25 miles per hour.  After all, such speed limits are typically only enforced in town or city settings, in which you’re forced to stop and start frequently.

In addition, read the owner’s manual of your car. Initiating cruise control usually is pretty straightforward, but in some models, you have to jump through a few hoops. Make sure you’re following instructions.

Need Help with Cruise Control Maintenance?

If you need a mechanic to install new cruise control, consider Brooklyn Park-based Mobile Installation. We’re a multiservice postmarket car installation company; we do everything from cruise control to car alarms to heated seats. To find out more about our products and installation services, visit our Brooklyn Park location. You can also call us at 612-986-3332, or you can send a message to contact page.