How do I know if my Chevy has adaptive cruise control?
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) in a Chevy is usually recognizable by steering wheel controls labeled with an ACC or a car-and-speedometer icon, a distance/following-distance setting, and an indicator on the instrument cluster. You can also confirm ACC availability by checking the window sticker, the vehicle’s VIN-based build sheet, or the Chevrolet owner resources.
What adaptive cruise control is and where it appears in Chevy models
Adaptive Cruise Control is a hands-on cruise control system that automatically adjusts your car’s speed to maintain a set following distance from vehicles ahead. In Chevys, the hardware for ACC is typically mounted behind the front grille or bumper as a radar sensor, sometimes paired with a camera. The feature is often included as part of Driver Assist or Safety packages and may appear on model/window-sticker descriptions or in the vehicle’s feature list.
- Look at the steering wheel for a button labeled with a car and a speedometer icon, or the letters “ACC.”
- Check for a separate “Distance” or “Follow Distance” control on or near the steering wheel to adjust how closely you follow other vehicles.
- When ACC is engaged, the instrument cluster may show a car icon with a numerical distance setting or an “Adaptive Cruise” indicator.
- Physical sensors: a radar sensor behind the grille or in the lower front fascia indicates ACC hardware is present.
- ACC is usually listed as part of a Driver Assistance or Safety Package in Chevy brochures, window stickers, and online specs—look for phrases like “Adaptive Cruise Control” or “Radar Cruise Control.”
Recognizing these cues can help you determine whether your specific Chevy model is equipped with ACC. If you don’t see these elements, your vehicle may have conventional cruise control or a different driver-assist setup such as Super Cruise (see below for details).
How to confirm via official materials and VIN
Official documents and online vehicle tools provide a definitive answer for your exact car, year, and trim.
- Check the Monroney window sticker on the car or the dealer’s online listing for mentions of Adaptive Cruise Control, Radar Cruise Control, or a Driver Assist package.
- Log in to the Chevrolet owner portal or the myChevrolet app to view your vehicle’s installed features and available driver-assist systems.
- Use the VIN to pull a build sheet or GM’s vehicle configuration details (often accessible via a dealer or GM resources) to see if ACC was installed as part of a package.
- Consult the vehicle’s owner's manual and the Cruise Control/Driver Assistance section for a description of ACC features and how to enable them.
Cross-checking these official sources provides a reliable confirmation of ACC presence and helps you understand exactly which features your Chevy includes, if any.
Enabling, using, and understanding limitations
Once you’ve confirmed ACC is available, here are practical usage notes and important caveats to know.
- To enable ACC, activate cruise control as you normally would, then switch to Adaptive Cruise Control mode using the steering wheel controls or a dedicated button; set your desired cruising speed.
- Use the distance/follow-distance control to choose how closely you want to follow the vehicle ahead (e.g., near, medium, far).
- ACC is designed to maintain a safe following distance by adjusting throttle and braking, but you must monitor the road and be prepared to take over if traffic conditions change.
- Some Chevy models also offer Super Cruise, a hands-free highway system that is separate from ACC. Super Cruise requires compatible roads, hands-on monitoring, and sometimes a subscription; don’t confuse it with standard ACC.
Always refer to your owner’s manual for model-specific instructions, limitations, and safety warnings. If you’re unsure whether ACC is installed, contact your dealer with your VIN for a definitive answer and potential upgrade options.
Summary
In most Chevys, adaptive cruise control is identified by steering wheel controls labeled ACC or with a car-and-speedometer icon, a distance-setting control, and an indicator on the instrument cluster. Verification can be confirmed through the window sticker, VIN-based build sheet, and the myChevrolet/owner materials. If present, enable ACC per the manual and use it with awareness of its limitations; if not, conventional cruise control or other driver-assist features may be in place. For higher-end highway driving, be aware that Super Cruise is a separate system available on select models.
