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BertP's avatar
BertP
Explorer
Nov 16, 2014

Cruise Controls

OK, technically this probably isn't a TV issue but it has been bugging me so I thought I'd post and see what responses I get.

I used to own a couple of different Chev TV's. Both were D/A's and now I am on my second Dodge. What is driving me nuts is the "resume" behavior of the cruise control.

In the Chev's, if I had my cruise set for 100 kph and had to stop, upon resuming - even from a very low speed like 30 kph - the cruise would accelerate my truck back up to speed at a very rational, realistic acceleration rate. In my Dodge, not so much. Hit resume at a speed that is even a few kph or mph below the set speed and it goes into drag race mode. RPM jumps to 3000 and the truck takes off like there is no tomorrow. It is ridiculous.

What experience do others have? Am I dreaming about how my Chev used to behave? Marty, you have basically the same truck I used to have. How does your cruise behave if you hit resume when you are 10 or more mph below the set speed? Is this behavior configurable on the Chevs? What about Fords?

Thanks

Bert
Tow Vehicles

15 Replies

  • Michelle_S's avatar
    Michelle_S
    Explorer III
    Nov 18, 2014
    I won't say my 2011 D/A goes into Drag Race mode, but depending on what speed you're doing when you hit Resume, it may drop several gears. So, as some others, I generally get back close to speed before hitting resume. And just for info, used cruise alot on our recent 17,000 mile trip.
  • The_Mad_Norsky's avatar
    The_Mad_Norsky
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2014
    :h

    Trying to recall, since I recently had a Ford F-350 and now the new Ram 3500.

    The Ram DOES want to drag race when hitting resume. Now it is a good acceleration, it just does not strike me to be that much of a huge difference between this vehicle and my previous Ford.

    I just don't recall exactly how the Ford behaved under the same circumstances.

    Sorry!
  • Tystevens's avatar
    Tystevens
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2014
    My GMs have all tried to regain speed at a rapid rate. My Ford seems a little more laid back about it, but usually, I don't hit 'resume' until I've accelerated back to the set speed.

    Good luck!
  • BertP's avatar
    BertP
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2014
    KD4UPL wrote:
    I've owned 4 Chevy's from '01 thru '07. None had any adjustment to the cruise control behavior. I think your are remembering something that didn't exist.
    I've driven Dodge, Ford and Chevy trucks and use the cruise a lot. The Chevy design is by far the most civilized in how it accelerates. It also hold the speed a lot closer. I rarely see more than a 1 or 2 MPH fluctuation with the Chevy if unloaded. The Dodge and Fords I've driven would fluctuate as much as 10 MPH when unloaded. The Dodge would, as you say, take off like a drag racer when hitting resume. The Fords I drive have quite the opposite effect. They seem to take several minutes to even notice I hit the button and very very gradually get back up to speed.

    Thanks for the input. I guess when the time comes to replace my current truck, I will be either going back to GM or over to Ford. I use my cruise control far too much to put up with the nonsense Dodge has in theirs.

    Bert
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer II
    Nov 16, 2014
    I've owned 4 Chevy's from '01 thru '07. None had any adjustment to the cruise control behavior. I think your are remembering something that didn't exist.
    I've driven Dodge, Ford and Chevy trucks and use the cruise a lot. The Chevy design is by far the most civilized in how it accelerates. It also hold the speed a lot closer. I rarely see more than a 1 or 2 MPH fluctuation with the Chevy if unloaded. The Dodge and Fords I've driven would fluctuate as much as 10 MPH when unloaded. The Dodge would, as you say, take off like a drag racer when hitting resume. The Fords I drive have quite the opposite effect. They seem to take several minutes to even notice I hit the button and very very gradually get back up to speed.
  • BertP's avatar
    BertP
    Explorer
    Nov 16, 2014
    old guy wrote:
    like you I have had many cars and trucks and one of them was the same way you are talking about. I didn't like that feature either but I just gave it gas via the foot petal.

    And I suspect that I will have to throw in the towel as well. :R I was just kinda hoping that maybe someone knew something about these things that I don't know :)

    Bert
  • BertP's avatar
    BertP
    Explorer
    Nov 16, 2014
    agesilaus wrote:
    My F-350 accelerates at a reasonable pace. But I have had vehicles in the past that used the drag racer mode. Seems like my 96 Burb did that.

    Do yo know if that is unique to your vehicle or is it a common trait across Fords?

    Bert
  • BertP's avatar
    BertP
    Explorer
    Nov 16, 2014
    donn0128 wrote:
    No, at least not directly. It would take some serious automotive programming skills. My Suzuki does the same thing when going up moderate hills. Drops at least one gear then RPM jumps 2000 or more RPM. I have learned to just cancel and drive up the hills.
    BTW when towing my Dodge Cummins does not have the problem. Hummm?
    What I have learned to do is just use the throttle to get close then hit resume


    I was thinking more along the lines of the configuration being done via the DIC. There probably are some after market hacks you can do - and, at this point, I am open to any of them - but I was hoping that there was a supported way of doing it.

    I know that my Chev's cruise control behaved quite differently in tow/haul mode than when it wasn't in tow/haul. I haven't towed enough with the Dodges to make any kind of comparison, though, so I'm not sure.

    Yeah, I pretty well gave up on hitting resume as well. I just asked because I decided to try it again the other day (new truck) to see if there was a difference. Unfortunately, my 2014 behaves exactly the same as my 2010 did :-(

    Bert
  • old_guy's avatar
    old_guy
    Explorer
    Nov 16, 2014
    like you I have had many cars and trucks and one of them was the same way you are talking about. I didn't like that feature either but I just gave it gas via the foot petal.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 16, 2014
    BertP wrote:
    donn0128 wrote:
    Transmission programming, crusie control programming, engine torque all play into the equasion


    OK, so are any of those factors under your direct control? For some reason, I have in the back of my mind that I could change the programming of my Chev to specify how aggressive I wanted it to accelerate but I'm not 100% sure on that. But, both of my Dodge's would put you in the back seat if you hit resume and weren't prepared for it. My dealer says that it can't be changed :-(

    Bert


    No, at least not directly. It would take some serious automotive programming skills. My Suzuki does the same thing when going up moderate hills. Drops at least one gear then RPM jumps 2000 or more RPM. I have learned to just cancel and drive up the hills.
    BTW when towing my Dodge Cummins does not have the problem. Hummm?
    What I have learned to do is just use the throttle to get close then hit resume

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