Is cruise control good or bad for your engine?

On highways, cruise control typically helps by keeping a steady speed and smoothing engine load, which is generally good for engine health and efficiency. But using it in the wrong conditions can lessen those benefits or even introduce minor wear.

How cruise control affects the engine and drivetrain

Cruise control works by automatically adjusting the throttle to maintain a set speed. In modern cars, electronic throttle control and engine-management systems coordinate with the transmission to keep the engine operating at a near-constant load. When used correctly, this can reduce unnecessary throttle fluctuations and promote smoother combustion and operation.

Benefits of cruise control for engine health and efficiency

On long highway drives, maintaining a constant speed tends to smooth power delivery and reduce abrupt throttle changes. This can translate into the following advantages:

• Less throttle variability leads to a steadier air-fuel mix and smoother combustion, which can reduce wear on the throttle body and related components.


• More consistent engine load can improve fuel economy on flat or gently graded roads by minimizing wasted acceleration and deceleration.


• Reduced driver-induced fluctuations lower the likelihood of sudden torque spikes that can stress the drivetrain over time.


• Adaptive systems in newer vehicles can optimize throttle and braking inputs for efficiency and comfort, further supporting engine longevity.

These benefits tend to be most evident on well-paved highways with light traffic and minimal grade changes. Real-world results vary by vehicle and driving conditions.

Potential drawbacks and best practices

There are scenarios where cruise control offers fewer benefits or may introduce unnecessary strain. Practicing prudent use can help you avoid drawbacks:

• Steep grades and irregular road elevation can trigger frequent downshifts and throttle adjustments, which may increase wear on the transmission and engine mounts over time.


• Heavy traffic or winding roads can cause the system to repeatedly engage and disengage, reducing efficiency and potentially causing abrupt acceleration or braking when the driver manually overrides it.


• Rough or slippery surfaces (ice, snow, or rain) reduce the system’s ability to regulate speed safely, and relying on cruise control in such conditions can increase risk and counterproductive wear due to unnecessary throttle cycling when braking manually.


• Older vehicles or systems with less advanced integration between throttle and transmission may not coordinate as efficiently, offering only modest gains in efficiency and possibly more frequent gear changes.

In short, cruise control is not inherently harmful to engines, but its advantages depend on road conditions, traffic, and the vehicle’s technology. Use it where it makes sense and disengage in challenging conditions.

Adaptive cruise control and modern technologies

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) uses radar, cameras, or lidar to maintain a safe following distance and adjust speed in anticipation of traffic. Compared with plain cruise control, ACC can offer smoother deceleration and acceleration, reducing abrupt throttle inputs and braking events. For engine and transmission wear, ACC typically provides similar or modestly better outcomes because it avoids sudden speed changes and coordinates with the brakes and gears more gradually. However, ACC is not a substitute for attentive driving in poor weather or complex traffic scenarios, and its benefits depend on the vehicle’s calibration and system hardware.

Bottom line

Crucial takeaway: cruise control tends to be a net positive for engine health and fuel efficiency on steady highway cruising, provided you use it in appropriate conditions and stay attentive to road safety. Adaptive cruise control can enhance those benefits by smoothing speed adjustments and braking events, but neither system eliminates the need for driver judgment, especially on hills, rough roads, or during adverse weather.

Summary

Used wisely, cruise control is generally good for your engine by reducing throttle fluctuations and promoting efficient operation during steady highway speeds. It becomes less advantageous on steep hills, in heavy traffic, or on poor roads, where frequent adjustments can negate benefits and potentially increase wear. Modern adaptive cruise control further enhances efficiency and safety, though it should never replace careful driving in challenging conditions.

What are the negatives of cruise control?

While cruise control improves driving comfort, it also comes with potential risks that drivers should be aware of, including:

• Decreased Driver Attentiveness.
• Unsuitability in Adverse Weather Conditions.
• Not Ideal for Heavy Traffic.
• Limitations in Hilly Terrain.
• Potential for Malfunctions.

Is cruise control bad for your engine?

No, cruise control is not inherently bad for your engine and is often beneficial for fuel efficiency on long, flat highway drives. However, it can put extra stress on a manual transmission or an engine in a manual vehicle if it's forced to maintain speed uphill by "lugging" the engine. Cruise control should also be avoided during the engine break-in period, as your engine needs to operate at varying speeds for proper assembly. 
You can watch this video to learn more about the impact of cruise control on fuel economy: 52sAccurate AutomotiveYouTube · Oct 3, 2025
Situations to use caution

• Hilly terrain: On steep inclines, the system may downshift or push the engine harder to maintain speed, which can increase wear on the transmission over time. 
• Manual transmissions: On a manual car, using cruise control to "lug" the engine (forcing it to run at low RPMs under heavy load) can cause extra wear. 
• Engine break-in period: After a new car is built or an engine is rebuilt, avoid using cruise control for the first 1,000 miles to allow the engine to properly break in by varying its speed. 
• Slick conditions: Avoid using cruise control in heavy rain, snow, or icy conditions, as it can lead to a loss of control if the tires slip during acceleration or braking. 

Benefits of cruise control

• Better fuel efficiency: By maintaining a steady speed, cruise control can improve fuel economy, especially on long, flat highways. 
• Reduces driver fatigue: It can make long drives less tiring by reducing the need for constant foot pressure on the accelerator. 
• Increases driver awareness: When used appropriately on the highway, it can allow drivers to stay more focused on the road and their surroundings, as they are not constantly adjusting their speed. 

Important considerations

• Driver attentiveness: Always remain alert and ready to take manual control of the vehicle, even when cruise control is engaged. 
• Adaptive cruise control: Newer systems can automatically adjust your speed to maintain a set distance from the car ahead. While helpful, they may not be ideal in stop-and-go traffic or sharp curves. 

Is it better to use cruise control or not?

It is better to use cruise control on long, flat, dry highways with minimal traffic to improve comfort and fuel efficiency. Avoid using it in heavy traffic, hilly terrain, or poor weather conditions, as it can reduce driver alertness and reaction time, and you should always maintain full control of your vehicle. 
When to use cruise control

• Long highway drives: Reduces driver fatigue by taking your foot off the accelerator. 
• Flat, straight roads: Optimizes fuel efficiency by maintaining a steady speed, which can save you gas. 
• Low traffic: Prevents unintended speeding and keeps a consistent pace with other drivers. 

When not to use cruise control

• In cities or heavy traffic: It's safer to have full control to react to frequent stops, pedestrians, and cyclists. 
• On winding or hilly roads: Your car will constantly use more gas to accelerate up hills, and you'll have to manually disengage it often, which can be less efficient than manual driving. 
• In bad weather: Never use cruise control in rain, snow, or icy conditions, as it can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. 
• When you are tired: Cruise control can decrease alertness, so it's best to be fully engaged when you feel fatigued. 

Why should or shouldn't you use cruise control at night?

You should not use cruise control at night because it can increase drowsiness and decrease alertness when visibility is already limited. Lower visibility at night requires you to be more engaged, and the automation of cruise control can lead to complacency, slower reaction times, and an increased risk of accidents from unexpected obstacles or other drivers. While it can help maintain a steady speed and reduce fatigue on long, straight stretches, the reduced alertness it can cause is a significant risk at night. 
Reasons to avoid cruise control at night

• Decreased alertness: The "set it and forget it" nature of cruise control can lead to a loss of focus and increased drowsiness, which is especially dangerous when your visibility is already limited at night. 
• Slower reaction time: Lower visibility means you need to be prepared to react to unexpected events like animals, pedestrians, or other vehicles. Cruise control can slow your reaction time if you're not actively engaged, and disengaging it may take longer if you're not fully attentive. 
• Reduced control over speed: You need more control on winding roads or when encountering variable conditions like fog, rain, or ice, which can be more common at night. 
• Obstacles and poor road conditions: At night, it's harder to see obstacles, potholes, or changes in the road surface. Cruise control maintains a set speed and doesn't account for these hazards, potentially leading to a crash. 

When cruise control might be acceptable at night

• Long, straight, and clear roads: On an open highway with good visibility and no traffic, cruise control can help maintain a steady speed and reduce fatigue on a long drive.
• Maintaining a consistent speed: On these ideal roads, cruise control can prevent you from accidentally speeding, potentially helping you avoid tickets.
• Reduced strain: It can reduce the strain on your foot and improve comfort during long drives on straight roads.