How do I know if I have cruise control?
Your car typically has cruise control if there is a dedicated control you can press or a stalk near the steering wheel. Look for buttons labeled CRUISE or ON/OFF, and SET/RES or +/- on or around the steering wheel or a stalk on the steering column. If you can’t find any such control, you probably don’t have cruise control (you might have a basic speed limiter instead). For certainty, check your owner’s manual or the vehicle’s specifications online.
Where to find cruise control controls
Common locations include the steering wheel itself, a dedicated stalk on the steering column, or, in newer models, symbols that appear in the instrument cluster when the system is available.
- Steering wheel controls: Look for a CRUISE or ON/OFF button, plus SET/RES and +/- for speed adjustment. Some models use a single toggle or a combination of buttons on the wheel spokes.
- Steering-column stalk: In older designs, a lever on the left side may control cruise with markings like SET, RES, or COAST.
- Instrument cluster indicators: When you switch cruise on, an indicator may illuminate with the word CRUISE or a speedometer icon.
If you still can’t locate any cruise control features, consult the owner’s manual or contact the dealer. In some vehicles with adaptive cruise control, there are additional controls for distance and a radar sensor behind the grille or bumper.
How to verify safely
To confirm you have working cruise control, use a controlled environment to test the feature. Follow these steps:
- Park or drive at a steady highway speed, then press the ON/OFF or CRUISE button to enable the system. An indicator should light up or you’ll hear a confirmation click.
- Press SET to lock in the current speed. Some cars require you to reach the desired speed first, then press SET.
- Use the +/- controls to adjust the set speed. The system should maintain the new speed automatically.
- Press CANCEL or tap the brake to disengage. In most vehicles, braking also cancels cruise control.
- If your car has adaptive cruise control, you’ll see distance settings and a radar or car-with-lines icon. Test it at a safe speed and maintain a proper following distance on a clear highway, but never rely on it in heavy traffic or complex roadways.
Bottom line: if you can locate and operate these controls and the system engages as described, your car has cruise control. If nothing happens, check the manual or consult the dealer to confirm whether your trim supports the feature or if it’s disabled in your configuration.
Types of cruise control
There are two common forms you may encounter: traditional cruise control that maintains a set speed, and adaptive cruise control (ACC) that also maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. Some systems also combine cruise with speed limiting or other safety features.
Traditional vs Adaptive at a glance
Traditional cruise control maintains a fixed speed you set and does not automatically adjust for traffic. Adaptive cruise control uses radar or camera sensors to monitor distance to the car ahead and automatically slows or accelerates to keep a chosen gap. If your car has ACC, you’ll typically see distance settings on the steering wheel and a radar icon on the dashboard or grille area.
Summary
To determine whether your car has cruise control, inspect the steering wheel and nearby stalks for CRUISE, ON/OFF, SET, RES, or +/- controls, and check the instrument cluster for an indicator when the system is engaged. If you have adaptive cruise control, look for distance settings and a radar symbol. When in doubt, consult the owner’s manual or your dealer to confirm model-specific capabilities and instructions. Remember to use cruise control only in appropriate conditions and stay attentive to road safety at all times.
