[Spridgets] cruise control

[Deikis, John G]

For the average American "one hand on the cell phone, the other on a Big
Mac" driver, cruise probably helps by smoothing out throttle inputs.  I
think Billy's right (that's A WHOLE LOT of experience paying for fuel)
in the case of someone who pays attention to what his right foot is
doing and how the car is responding to terrain.
JohnD

-----Original Message-----
From: Kate [mailto:kgb at frontiernet.net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 6:18 PM
Cc: Spridgets
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] cruise control

I have to agree with this.  All my American vehicles are equipped with
cruise, but I seldom, if ever, use it.  The first reason is that I find
it easier to stay awake on long trips if I am actually driving the car,
but my fuel economy increases without the cruise.  The cruise control is

constantly adjusting the throttle which reduces economy any place other
than on long, flat, straight roads.  People often ask how my old
Cherokee manages to get nearly 30 MPG on trips, and I tell them that I
don't use the cruise control.  I sometimes forget to mention that the
emission control system has been disabled, but I'm sure that would have
nothing at all to do with fuel economy.

Kate

Billy Zoom wrote:
> Cruise control lowers mileage considerably. It constantly changes the
> throttle to maintain a constant speed.
> Holding constant throttle improves mileage.