What is the difference between cruise control and adaptive cruise control?

Cruise control simply keeps your vehicle at a chosen speed, while adaptive cruise control adds automatic speed adjustment to maintain a safe gap from the car ahead. In everyday driving, that means CC holds steady speed, whereas ACC monitors traffic and adjusts throttle and braking to follow more closely and safely.

How traditional cruise control works

Traditional cruise control is a speed-management feature that lets you set a fixed velocity. It operates by regulating the engine throttle to maintain that speed, without regard to other vehicles in front or road conditions. This makes it a simple, low-intervention tool for long highway drives, but it does not actively manage distance to other cars.

• Maintains a fixed set speed by controlling the engine throttle.


• Does not monitor or respond to other vehicles ahead; traffic changes are not accounted for.


• Usually does not brake or decelerate automatically in response to vehicles in front.


• Requires driver input to slow down, speed up beyond the set limit, or cancel the system.

In summary, traditional cruise control is a speed-stabilizing feature that reduces the driver’s workload on flat highways but leaves following distance entirely to the driver.

Limitations of traditional cruise control

Because it does not gauge surrounding traffic, CC can be less safe in heavy traffic, on hilly terrain, or in changing weather. Drivers must remain attentive and ready to retake control if a vehicle cuts in or road conditions require braking.

What adaptive cruise control does

Adaptive cruise control builds on cruise control by adding sensors—commonly radar, sometimes lidar or cameras—to detect the distance to the vehicle ahead. It automatically adjusts speed to maintain a chosen following distance, and many systems can brake or resume movement to accommodate traffic flow.

How ACC responds to traffic

ACC uses detected vehicle distance to manage speed, accelerating when the road ahead is clear and decelerating when a slower vehicle is detected. In many vehicles, ACC can bring the car to a complete stop and then resume when traffic moves, a feature often called stop-and-go or traffic-jam assist. It remains a driver-assist, not a hands-off autonomy system.

• Detects a vehicle ahead and maintains a safe time-based following distance (headway).


• Automatically accelerates or decelerates to keep that gap, including gentle braking if needed.


• Many systems can bring the car to a full stop and resume automatically in traffic.


• Performance depends on sensors and weather; performance may degrade in heavy rain, fog, snow, or when sensors are obscured.

Adaptive cruise control offers a more proactive form of speed management, reducing the need for driver adjustments and helping to maintain steadier progress in varying traffic conditions.

Considerations and limitations of ACC

ACC is effective on highways and in moderate traffic, but it requires the driver to remain attentive. It can struggle with abrupt cut-ins, complex merges, or poor sensor visibility due to weather or road spray. Drivers should be prepared to override or take full control at any time.

Key differences at a glance

Here are the core distinctions between the two systems to help you compare at a glance:

• Purpose: Cruise control maintains a fixed speed; adaptive cruise control maintains speed and a safe following distance.


• Traffic interaction: CC ignores other vehicles; ACC actively responds to vehicles ahead.


• Braking/acceleration: CC adjusts throttle only; ACC can throttle, brake, and resume automatically.


• Stop-and-go capability: CC cannot handle stop-and-go; ACC often can (varies by system and model).


• Driver engagement: Both require attention, but ACC reduces manual adjustments more than CC.

In practical terms, ACC offers a safer, more automated driving experience in many real-world scenarios, while traditional cruise control remains a simpler, speed-only tool best suited for steady highway travel with light traffic.

Practical considerations and safety

When choosing between or using either system, consider road conditions, weather, and your driving style. Both systems are driver aids and do not replace the need to stay alert, maintain hands on the wheel, and take control if the situation requires it.

Driver role and system limits

Regardless of the system, the driver should monitor surroundings, be prepared to intervene, and understand that no cruise control system can anticipate every situation on the road.

Summary

Cruise control keeps a car at a steady set speed with minimal adjustment for traffic. Adaptive cruise control adds sensor-driven following-distance management, automatically slows or stops for vehicles ahead and resumes when clear. ACC reduces frequent speed changes and can improve flow in moderate traffic, but it remains a driver-assist technology that requires ongoing attention and appropriate use in varying conditions.

What are the disadvantages of adaptive cruise control?

Despite its benefits, adaptive cruise control has important limitations that drivers must understand. The system may not detect stationary objects, such as construction barriers or broken-down vehicles. It can also struggle with motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians that suddenly enter the roadway.

Can you turn off adaptive cruise control and use regular cruise control on a Honda?

Yes, you can turn off Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and switch to regular cruise control on a Honda by pressing and holding the distance button on the steering wheel until the icon changes from the ACC symbol (speedometer with a car icon) to the standard cruise control symbol (speedometer with an arrow). This allows you to use the system like traditional cruise control without it automatically adjusting for other vehicles. 
How to switch to regular cruise control
This video demonstrates how to switch between adaptive cruise control and regular cruise control: 54sCrazy Honda ChrisYouTube · Oct 10, 2024

• Ensure cruise control is on: Press the main cruise control button on the steering wheel. 
• Look for the ACC icon: The driver's display will show the ACC icon, which includes a speedometer with an arrow and a car in front. 
• Press and hold the distance button: Locate the button on your steering wheel that adjusts the following distance (it typically has icons like lines or cars) and press and hold it for a few seconds. 
• Confirm the change: You should hear a beep, and the icon on the dash will change to the standard cruise control symbol, indicating that ACC is now off and regular cruise control is active. 

Is adaptive cruise control better than cruise control?

Conventional Cruise Control can maintain a steady speed that you set. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an enhancement of conventional cruise control. ACC automatically adjusts the speed of your car to match the speed of the car in front of you. If the car ahead slows down, ACC can automatically match it.

How do I know if my car has adaptive cruise control?

You can tell if your car has adaptive cruise control by looking for specific symbols on the steering wheel or dashboard, checking for a "gap distance" button, and finding a related icon on the instrument cluster when the system is active. The presence of a button to adjust the following distance is a key indicator, as is a dashboard icon that includes a car with chevrons or arcs in front of it. 
Check the steering wheel controls 

• Look for a gap distance button: A dedicated button to adjust the following distance (often a car with horizontal bars) is a strong sign of adaptive cruise control. 
• Check the "cruise" button: The main cruise control button might have a car icon with chevrons or arcs in front of it, distinguishing it from a regular cruise control button (which typically shows a speedometer with a simple arrow). 

This video demonstrates how to use adaptive cruise control buttons and symbols: 59sBrian Doolan at Fitzpatricks Garage KildareYouTube · Aug 27, 2024
Look for a dashboard or heads-up display (HUD) icon 

• When activated: When you turn on the system, a specific icon will appear on your dashboard or HUD. 
• Identify the icon: This icon will typically look like a speedometer with a car on top or an arc with a triangle pointing through it, and it will change when the system is active and set. 

You can watch this video to see how the dashboard icon changes when adaptive cruise control is activated: 58sDean Cooley GMYouTube · Jan 23, 2023
Consult the owner's manual or vehicle specifications

• Check the manual: The easiest way to be certain is to check your car's owner's manual. 
• Look up your VIN: You can also use your vehicle identification number (VIN) to find the original window sticker online, which will list all the packages and options your car came with, such as a driver assistance package. 
• See if it's part of a package: Adaptive cruise control is often included as part of a larger driver-assistance or convenience package, so check your vehicle's original purchase information to see if you have that package.