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How do I take my car off cruise control?

Disengaging cruise control can be done quickly and safely by braking, pressing Cancel, turning the system off, or using the control stalk. These methods apply to most modern cars, including those with adaptive cruise control.

Cruise control systems vary by vehicle, but the basic idea remains the same: you want to return full manual control of acceleration and speed. This article outlines the common ways to disengage, along with safety tips and notes for adaptive systems. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific instructions.

Common methods to disengage

Use one of the standard controls below to disengage cruise control. The exact control can differ by make and model, but these options cover the majority of vehicles on the road today.

Brake pedal: firmly press the brake pedal. This immediately disengages cruise control and transfers speed control back to you.

Cancel button: press the Cancel (CNL) button on the steering wheel or stalk. The system stops maintaining set speed while you stay in control of the vehicle.

On/off switch or stalk: toggle the cruise control switch to Off, or push/pull the stalk to turn the system off. In some cars, this fully disables the cruise control module.

Clutch pedal (manual transmission): in most manual cars, pressing the clutch will disengage cruise control. If you come to a stop, braking or shifting out of gear typically ends the system as well.

After disengaging, manual speed control is restored. Keep your hands on the wheel and be prepared to adjust your speed with the accelerator and brake as traffic dictates.

After disengaging: what to do next

Once cruise control is off, you should immediately take over full speed control and adapt to current driving conditions. If you’re entering heavy traffic or changing lanes, smoothly reduce speed with brakes and accelerate only when it’s safe. If you plan to resume cruising later, you can use the resume or set function when appropriate and safe.

Adaptive cruise control: special considerations

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a set following distance from the vehicle ahead. Disengaging ACC generally follows the same principles as standard cruise control, but some systems offer additional controls or require a different sequence to fully deactivate.

How ACC differs from standard cruise control

ACC uses radar or camera data to manage following distance. You disengage it with brake, Cancel, or an Off command, and you should verify that the vehicle is no longer adjusting speed automatically. Always check the instrument panel to confirm the system is fully deactivated.

Summary

To take your car off cruise control, brake, press Cancel, switch Off, or use the control stalk, depending on your vehicle. After disengaging, resume manual control of acceleration and speed and drive according to traffic conditions. For vehicles with adaptive cruise control, the same disengagement methods apply, with attention to whether the system has fully deactivated on your model. Refer to your owner’s manual for model-specific instructions and always prioritize safety when changing driving modes.

How do I get my car out of cruise mode?

To cancel cruise control, tap the brakes, pull the stalk towards you or turn the system off with the ON/OFF button. Adaptive Cruise Control was designed to maintain the preset distance between your car and the car driving in the same lane directly ahead of you.

How do I cancel cruise control?

To cancel cruise control, you can either briefly press the brake pedal or the "Cancel" button on your steering wheel. Pressing the accelerator pedal will also temporarily override it, and shifting into neutral or turning off the system completely are other options.
This video demonstrates how to cancel cruise control by tapping the brake pedal: 46sSubaru of PuyallupYouTube · Nov 11, 2020
To cancel cruise control

Tap the brake pedal: The most common and immediate way to disengage cruise control.
Press the "Cancel" button: If your steering wheel has a dedicated "Cancel" or "CNCL" button, this will cancel the system.
Press the accelerator pedal: Pressing the gas pedal will temporarily override the cruise control. The system will automatically disengage the adaptive braking function until you release the pedal.
Shift to neutral: With an automatic transmission, you can shift the gear lever into neutral to cancel cruise control.
Press the cruise control On/Off button: This will completely turn the system off. Be aware that this also erases the set speed, so you will need to set a new speed if you want to use it again.

This video shows how to cancel cruise control by pressing the cruise control on/off button: 1mVolkswagen USAYouTube · Oct 10, 2022
For adaptive cruise control

To temporarily disable automatic braking: Press the brake pedal or the "Cancel" button.
To switch to standard cruise control: You may be able to press a button on your steering wheel or navigate through the vehicle's infotainment system to switch from adaptive to standard cruise control, which will maintain your set speed without maintaining a set distance from the vehicle ahead, say YouTube users and another YouTube user.
The system may automatically deactivate: Some systems will automatically turn off if you open a door, unbuckle your seatbelt, or if there is poor visibility.

How do I deactivate cruise main?

To turn off "Cruise Main" or deactivate cruise control, press the "OFF" or "CANCEL" button on the steering wheel, or tap the brake or clutch pedal. For a complete deactivation, press the "OFF" button again to turn the system off completely, rather than just canceling it temporarily.

To temporarily cancel cruise control

Press the "CANCEL" button: This disengages the system but keeps the set speed ready to be resumed by pressing the "RESUME" button.
Tap the brake pedal: This will also temporarily disengage the system.
Press the clutch pedal: On a manual transmission vehicle, this will temporarily disengage cruise control.

You can watch this video to learn how to use cruise control in a Honda Odyssey: 1:01Loc Huynh,DMD, AEGD, FICOI , FIADFE, FICD OfficialYouTube · Jun 1, 2024
To completely turn off the system

Press the "OFF/CANCEL" button: This will turn off the system entirely, and the "CRUISE MAIN" light will go out.
Press the "CRUISE" button again: On some systems, pressing the main cruise button again will turn the entire system off.

This video explains how to use the cruise control system in a Honda Accord: 55sKLEANTRIXYouTube · May 19, 2016

What will deactivate cruise control?

Your cruise control likely turned off due to a sensor malfunction (like a faulty brake light or speed sensor), a problem with the electrical system (like a blown fuse), or issues with the cruise control switch itself. For modern cars with adaptive cruise control, factors like dirt, ice, or snow on the radar or camera can also be the cause.
This video explains some common causes of cruise control failure: 59sOBD InsightsYouTube · Mar 5, 2024
Common causes

Faulty brake light switch: This is one of the most common reasons. The switch is designed to disable cruise control when you press the brake pedal; if it's defective, it may send a false signal that the brake is on, causing the system to shut down unexpectedly.
Blown fuse: A blown fuse can cut power to the cruise control circuit entirely, or a bad relay can interrupt the signal.
Speed sensor issues: The vehicle's speed sensor provides information to the cruise control system. If the sensor is malfunctioning or dirty, it can cause the system to disengage.
Faulty cruise control switch: The buttons or lever on your steering wheel can wear out over time. If the internal contacts are bad, the system may not receive the commands to set or resume speed.
Electrical problems: This includes shorted wires, bad connectors, or a weak battery that affects electronic systems.
Vacuum leaks: On older vehicles that use vacuum-actuated systems, a leak in the vacuum hoses can cause the cruise control to fail.
Check engine light: Many modern cars disable the cruise control system if there is an active problem with the engine or transmission that is causing the "check engine" light to come on.

For adaptive cruise control
This video discusses the symptoms of a malfunctioning adaptive cruise control system: 47sCar Care HacksYouTube · Sep 21, 2023

Obstructed sensors: For systems with radar or cameras, dirt, snow, ice, or even a new windshield can block the sensors and cause the system to turn off.

What you can do

Check your owner's manual to locate the fuse box and see if any fuses for the cruise control system are blown.
Inspect the brake light switch and make sure your brake lights are working correctly.
For adaptive systems, clean the radar and camera units on the front of the vehicle.
If these simple checks don't help, it's best to have a professional mechanic diagnose the problem, as the underlying issue could be more complex.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.