prando Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Just changed towcar from Hyundai ix35 to Hyundai Tucson. I have towed many miles over circa 15 years in the Hyundai ix35 (and 3 Series previously) and, when safe, always favoured cruise control. I notice the handbook (cruise control section) for the Tucson states “do not use cruise control when towing a trailer” Is this a general ‘health & safety’ clause? To be honest I did not read the ix35 handbook, so it may have said the same? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Plodd Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 (edited) Cant see any reason whatsoever for that statement. I have towed many thousands of miles on cruise, that’s what it’s there for! Certainly nothing to that effect in my handbook (Mazda) Having said that my car has adaptive cruise so keeps a safe distance and will also apply the brakes if the gap lessens. Really spooked me out the first time it did it Edited March 2 by Mr Plodd Quote Experience is something you acquire after you have an urgent need for it. Link to post Share on other sites
Pheasant Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 10 minutes ago, prando said: Just changed towcar from Hyundai ix35 to Hyundai Tucson. I have towed many miles over circa 15 years in the Hyundai ix35 (and 3 Series previously) and, when safe, always favoured cruise control. I notice the handbook (cruise control section) for the Tucson states “do not use cruise control when towing a trailer” Is this a general ‘health & safety’ clause? To be honest I did not read the ix35 handbook, so it may have said the same? I have a Tucson two ltr.diesel se, 2017 model!I am unaware of that instruction but I have towed caravans thousands of miles ,on cruise, without a problem, Must read the instructions when I get time! Fabulous car by the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squash Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Can't say with the Tucson but I use it a lot when towing if the conditions are suitable. I have a Santa Fe and I would be astonished if the Tucson would not perform perfectly safely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ukzero Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 (edited) The only issue I have been aware of with cruise control on all the cars I've had when towing is that the (usually) gentle throttle application generated by CC can sometimes not be enough to trigger a downshift in an auto gearbox quite as soon as would otherwise be desirable if starting to go up a gentle incline, for example. Edited March 2 by Ukzero Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Plodd Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 1 minute ago, Ukzero said: The only issue I have been aware of with cruise control on all the cars I've had when towing is that the (usually) gentle throttle application generated by CC can sometimes not be enough to trigger a downshift in an auto gearbox quite as soon as would otherwise be desirable if starting to go up a gentle incline, for example. Thats what the steering wheel “flappy paddles” are for and so useful for dropping down a gear (or two) on descents, I use mine all the time and wouldn’t consider an auto without them. Quote Experience is something you acquire after you have an urgent need for it. Link to post Share on other sites
Rodders53 Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 You'll have to ask Hyundai Technical or Customer Service that question, probably, as they must have a reason for stating that that we'd likely be guessing more than knowing. Is it a basic CC? Adaptive? Manual or auto box? Quote 2012 Bailey Pegasus 2 Rimini towed by 2019 Ford Galaxy Titanium X, 2.0 EcoBlue, 8 speed auto. Link to post Share on other sites
daveat92 Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 I've driven thousands of miles with Cruise Control in my Citroen. The handbook is silent on the matter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Talking Flag Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 19 minutes ago, Mr Plodd said: Cant see any reason whatsoever for that statement. I have towed many thousands of miles on cruise, that’s what it’s there for! Agreed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
macafee2 Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 just a wild guess, perhaps they consider the trailer... caravan snaking and so do not want the car to try and maintain speed in such a situation. Easy to say the driver would disengage the CC but what if they are spooked and do not react as they should? macafee2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Woodentop Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Could it be that the handbook is generic? In some countries in Europe - Belgium for one - it is illegal to use cruise control on the motorways and I have a suspicion it applies to towing anywhere as well? Quote 2018 Passat B8 Estate 150GT TDi150 towing a 2018 Bailey Unicorn S4 Seville Link to post Share on other sites
compact Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Sounds like Hyundai covering themselves, I`ve never seen a reference to it in Volvo, Merc or VW Handbooks and use cruise control all time, I think I must be an odd one out actually reading handbooks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xtrailman Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 As advised contact technical services for advise. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squash Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 13 minutes ago, xtrailman said: As advised contact technical services for advise. Sound advice there! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eddie Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 2 hours ago, Squash said: Can't say with the Tucson but I use it a lot when towing if the conditions are suitable. I have a Santa Fe and I would be astonished if the Tucson would not perform perfectly safely. Ditto! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jaydug Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 When I'm towing the only time I pause the cruise control is in busy traffic and on the approach to a hill. Keeping it on too long at a gradient isn't good for the fuel economy. Quote Citroen C5-X7 Tourer+Avondale Rialto 480/2 https://jondogoescaravanning.com Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Plodd Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 (edited) 2 hours ago, Woodentop said: Could it be that the handbook is generic? In some countries in Europe - Belgium for one - it is illegal to use cruise control on the motorways and I have a suspicion it applies to towing anywhere as well? Not quite as clear cut as “it’s illegal to use” CC on a motorway. It is but only in very specific circumstances See here (scroll to the very bottom of page 3) Edited March 2 by Mr Plodd Quote Experience is something you acquire after you have an urgent need for it. Link to post Share on other sites
Tunnelvision Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 I also have the adaptive cruise control and am very pleased at how well it copes with a van on the back. I have it on all the time when on the motorway but even though it brakes according to the distance to the vehicle in front, I still cover the brake just in case. I don't trust technology implicitly and nor should we. I've also heard from numerous sources (blokes down the pub) that cruise control is kinder on the mpg. Not sure if it's true but can say it doesn't seem any worse. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebasher Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 14 minutes ago, Tunnelvision said: I also have the adaptive cruise control and am very pleased at how well it copes with a van on the back. I have it on all the time when on the motorway but even though it brakes according to the distance to the vehicle in front, I still cover the brake just in case. I don't trust technology implicitly and nor should we. I've also heard from numerous sources (blokes down the pub) that cruise control is kinder on the mpg. Not sure if it's true but can say it doesn't seem any worse. I've always found that using CC lowers my MPG, probably as it can't anticipate the road ahead like I can ! Mine is adaptive, and I'll happily use it with the caravan on the back. I find it just as useful on A roads, I travelled 30 odd miles coming out of Norwich a couple of years ago and didn't need to touch any of the pedals! Quote Lunar Solaris 524 Link to post Share on other sites
PMW Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 48 minutes ago, littlebasher said: I've always found that using CC lowers my MPG, probably as it can't anticipate the road ahead like I can ! It's generally accepted that cruise control lowers MPG slightly, more so in hilly terrain. Quote Mercedes E350 CDi AMG Cabriolet, Lunar Freelander 640EW Twin Axle @1700kg Link to post Share on other sites
Babstreefern Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 I used CC on my Ford Kuga. It was the first time of me towing last year. I did both motorway and main road driving. It performed with no problem at all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
millerhouse12 Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 3 hours ago, Mr Plodd said: Not quite as clear cut as “it’s illegal to use” CC on a motorway. It is but only in very specific circumstances See here (scroll to the very bottom of page 3) There's a big sign on the E42/A16 motorway in Belgium which forbids the use of Cruise Control. Presumably because it's busy, but the restriction is clear there. John m Quote 2017 Skoda Superb Estate 2. 0 Tdi 190; 2014 Swift Challenger 530SE + Powrtouch Evolution Link to post Share on other sites
prando Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 (edited) Thanks for all the comments and advice. I will speak to the dealer. The handbook contains a large section on cruise control as there are a number of ‘extra, if fitted’ linked features. Herewith the particular page PS It is an Automatic trans Edited March 3 by prando Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Towtug Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 6 hours ago, millerhouse12 said: There's a big sign on the E42/A16 motorway in Belgium which forbids the use of Cruise Control. Presumably because it's busy, but the restriction is clear there. John m A number of studies were undertaken in Belgium and the Netherlands into the the use of CC and ACC after an incident on a busy stretch of motorway ( I think in the Antwerp tunnel) . These studies showed CC and ACC as having a significant influence on increasing Brake reaction times, and also the driver applied brake force. In other words the driver reassigns the driving sub tasks and effectively takes his eve off the ball. Additional studies also showed this to be compounded by towing using inertia braking, but not significantly for continuous braking systems. The reports also concluded that improving use of automated systems on vehicles would need to account for this and be considered in vehicle development and that legislation would need to keep pace with this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PMW Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 1 hour ago, Towtug said: These studies showed CC and ACC as having a significant influence on increasing Brake reaction times I wold certainly agree with that, as operating the brake from the accelerator is a programmed response, it's a bit like muscle memory, however operating the brake when the foot is at rest away from the accelerator pedal takes considerably longer. Quote Mercedes E350 CDi AMG Cabriolet, Lunar Freelander 640EW Twin Axle @1700kg Link to post Share on other sites
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