Speed Control Simplified: How to Use Cruise Control on Mitsubishi Lancer

Navigating long stretches of highway can be tiring, especially when you’re constantly adjusting your speed. Thankfully, your Mitsubishi Lancer comes equipped with cruise control, a handy feature that allows you to maintain a steady speed without needing to keep your foot on the gas pedal. This blog post will guide you through the steps of using cruise control in your Lancer, ensuring a smoother and more relaxed driving experience.

Understanding the Basics

Cruise control, also known as “automatic speed control,” is a system that automatically maintains your vehicle’s speed. It’s a valuable tool for highway driving, helping you:

• Reduce fatigue: By taking your foot off the gas pedal, you can relax your leg muscles and focus on the road ahead.
• Improve fuel efficiency: Maintaining a constant speed can help optimize your fuel consumption.
• Reduce stress: Cruise control eliminates the constant need to adjust your speed, leading to a more relaxed driving experience.

Identifying the Cruise Control Buttons

Before you can activate cruise control, you need to locate the buttons on your steering wheel. In most Mitsubishi Lancers, you’ll find the following:

• Cruise control on/off button: This button is usually located on the left side of the steering wheel. Pressing it once will turn the cruise control system on.
• Set/coast button: This button is typically located on the right side of the steering wheel and is used to set your desired speed and engage cruise control.
• Resume button: This button, also located on the right side of the steering wheel, allows you to quickly resume your previous cruise control speed after briefly disengaging it.
• Cancel button: This button, usually found on the left side of the steering wheel, will immediately deactivate cruise control.

Activating Cruise Control

Once you’ve identified the buttons, follow these simple steps to activate cruise control:

1. Ensure your car is moving: Cruise control can only be activated while the vehicle is in motion.
2. Turn on cruise control: Press the “cruise control on/off” button once to activate the system.
3. Set your desired speed: With the cruise control engaged, press the “set/coast” button and accelerate to your desired speed. Once you reach the desired speed, release the gas pedal. The cruise control system will maintain this speed.

Using Cruise Control Effectively

Now that you’ve activated cruise control, there are a few things to keep in mind for safe and efficient use:

• Adjusting speed: To increase or decrease your speed while using cruise control, simply tap the “set/coast” button. Each tap will increase or decrease the speed by a predetermined increment.
• Disengaging cruise control: To temporarily disengage cruise control, simply tap the brake pedal. The cruise control will automatically deactivate, and you’ll regain full control of the vehicle.
• Resuming cruise control: If you’ve disengaged cruise control briefly, you can easily resume your previous speed by pressing the “resume” button.
• Be mindful of your surroundings: Always be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to disengage cruise control if necessary. Cruise control is a helpful tool, but it should not replace your own judgment and awareness.

Tips for Smooth Cruise Control Operation

Here are some additional tips to improve your cruise control experience:

• Choose a smooth road: Cruise control works best on smooth, straight roads with minimal traffic.
• Avoid steep inclines: Cruise control may struggle to maintain speed on steep inclines.
• Be aware of weather conditions: Heavy rain or snow can affect the responsiveness of cruise control.
• Don’t rely solely on cruise control: Always be prepared to take control of your vehicle if necessary.

When to Avoid Using Cruise Control

While cruise control is a useful feature, there are certain situations where it’s best to avoid using it:

• Heavy traffic: Cruise control can be dangerous in heavy traffic, as it may not react quickly enough to sudden changes in speed.
• Slippery roads: Cruise control can be less effective on slippery roads, as it may not be able to maintain a steady speed.
• Construction zones: Cruise control may not be appropriate in construction zones, due to unexpected changes in speed and road conditions.

Mastering Cruise Control for a Smoother Drive

Using cruise control is a simple yet effective way to enhance your driving experience, especially on long highway journeys. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can confidently activate and use cruise control in your Mitsubishi Lancer, enjoying a more relaxed and efficient drive. Remember to always prioritize safety and be prepared to disengage cruise control if necessary.

Basics You Wanted To Know

1. Can I use cruise control in city driving?

While cruise control can be used in city driving, it’s not recommended. City traffic is often unpredictable, with frequent stops, starts, and changes in speed. Cruise control is designed for consistent speeds on open highways, and using it in city traffic can be dangerous.

2. Does cruise control work on inclines and declines?

Cruise control can adjust to slight inclines and declines, but it may struggle to maintain a constant speed on steep hills. You might need to manually adjust your speed or disengage cruise control entirely on steep inclines.

3. What happens if I brake while using cruise control?

If you press the brake pedal while using cruise control, it will automatically disengage. Once you release the brake pedal, you can resume cruise control by pressing the “resume” button.

4. Is it safe to use cruise control in rain or snow?

While cruise control can be used in rain or snow, it’s important to be cautious. Reduced traction in these conditions can affect the effectiveness of cruise control. Always be prepared to disengage cruise control if necessary.

5. Can I use cruise control on a manual transmission car?

No, cruise control is typically not available on manual transmission vehicles. It’s a feature primarily designed for automatic transmissions.