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Adaptive Cruise Control - Does it make you less attentive or a lazy driver?

3725 Views 18 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Fishchris, Aug 10, 2021

Jack Evans

Discussion Starter · Jul 11, 2021

Wife's car is a new Mazda CX-5. Had it for a couple months. I rarely drive it, but today I drove it for long trip on interstate and got to use the adaptive cruise control. First time ever using something like this and was really surprising how easy this worked. I did like it. Now I'm wondering if I should upgrade my "already revised build for the 4th time" Lariat to the Luxury Package. I've got the moon roof on my build right now and I probably don't need it. I just think it looks cool but living in Florida not sure a moon roof is really necessary. We've had them on our other cars and never used them. So if I take that away and add the luxury package I'll basically adding approx. $1440 to the final price
I'm thinking that is a no brainer with the extra features you get with the Luxury package which I've research and no doubt will use them.
But I am curious, how others feel about using the Adaptive Cruise Control? and with the extra features do you think it's worth the add? (I've probably already answered that one in my head)

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Philpug

· #2 · Jul 11, 2021

There are pluses and minuses for me too and I while I was sceptical at first, I am liking it. I do find that I get lazy with it in that if I have it set at say 80 and if I come up behind someone, it will gradually drop down to match their speed. It does it so seamlesslym it might be a coupel of mile before I realize I am going 72 or so. I do like or I should say my wife likes that I am less prone to tailgate because it keeps a good distance. I have played with it in traffic and I am surprised how well it works but it is a bit jerky. Where is do find issues in curvy highway where I might be passing someone and it sees them in the next lane and hits the brakes..or at least feels like it does.

With all that said, when I replace the Alltrack that does not have it, it's replacement will...

Newbernwolf

· #3 · Jul 11, 2021

I like it. When it was included on my most recent car, I just decided that if I was getting a bunch of extra accessories, I should learn to use them properly. Adaptive cruise control took some getting used to, but there's no question in my mind that it's a safer way to drive. It's convinced me that driving closely behind the car in front won't get me there any faster. It's made me more conscious of the speed of the traffic around me, and I like the knowledge that if I do get distracted by something (a deer, a low flying plane, a missed navigational instruction) my car will keep me from having to slam on brakes to avoid that quick stopping grandpa two cars up.

Plus, if we all use adaptive cruise control in the future, rear end collisions could become history.

OTACORB

· #4 · Jul 11, 2021 (Edited)

I would drop that moon roof and go with the luxury pkg.

I have to admit I will be a bit nervous depending on that, but I suppose you can become too dependent on it.

PhilMac

· #5 · Jul 11, 2021

I love adaptive cruise and was very disappointed it’s only available on the Lariat Luxury trim (I ordered an XLT FX4). I’ve used ACC in a few rental cars for long interstate drives and I found it much less fatiguing than having to engage/disengage cruise all the time when in traffic.

Reactions: 3

Ferroplasm

· #6 · Jul 12, 2021

Wife's Subaru has the adaptive cruise control. I was a skeptic before driving with it but I'm a convert after some long road trips. One aspect in particular that I noticed is the ACC is much better at detecting traffic slow downs and distance between the vehicle ahead. I've noticed times when my car will begin braking before I notice the distance has closed between the car ahead. I honestly believe it improves safety when driving with ACC engaged.

Reactions: 1

Ruckie

· #7 · Jul 12, 2021

Ferroplasm said:
Wife's Subaru has the adaptive cruise control. I was a skeptic before driving with it but I'm a convert after some long road trips. One aspect in particular that I noticed is the ACC is much better at detecting traffic slow downs and distance between the vehicle ahead. I've noticed times when my car will begin braking before I notice the distance has closed between the car ahead. I honestly believe it improves safety when driving with ACC engaged.

I totally agree we have the Subaru ascent and sometimes when driving long distance you get runner vision and the acc can save lives, btw I love the sensor that detects the car infront of you moving at a red light

MattJ

· #8 · Jul 12, 2021

I don't think ACC makes me less attentive, but it certainly makes me less aggravated. The Maverick is going to be the new road trip vehicle, and road trips in Texas (or out of Texas) tend to be long hours. Having the ACC means I'm not disengaging and reengaging cruise control as we go through smaller towns or as folks change lanes in front of me.

Reactions: 2

Philpug

· #9 · Jul 12, 2021

Ruckie said:
btw I love the sensor that detects the car infront of you moving at a red light

I haven't had the gonads to trust it to that point...let it bring me to a full stop at a light and start again.

Toddio12

· #10 · Jul 12, 2021

Jack Evans said:
But I am curious, how others feel about using the Adaptive Cruise Control? and with the extra features do you think it's worth the add? (I've probably already answered that one in my head)

My wife also has adaptive cruise on her SUV which I drive frequently. There are pros and cons.
I have found that Ford OE cruise control of the last few generations is very good at maintaining an accurate speed. One of my pet peeves is, on long trips, fellow commuters who cannot seem to figure out what speed they want to travel at... I have my cruise set, pass them, then 5 minutes later they pass me, then I pass them again, on and on. Toyota especially (please hold your hate mail, yes I have owned Toyota/Lexus vehicles and have verified this) seem to be really bad at maintaining an accurate speed, especially up or down hills. Or, their drivers refuse to use the speed control their vehicle certainly has. Anyway, using the adaptive cruise control turns me into 'that guy'; I get behind a slower moving vehicle and my car slows down and maintains a safe distance without my realization. Then, the car I just passed passes me and I realize I've slowed down more than I wanted so I move back over, and eventually pass them again. Yes, now I'm the guy I get really annoyed by and end up saying "sorry" multiple times during a road trip.

So Yes, it makes me less attentive to what is actually happening around me.

I Also realize I shouldn't care what the other guy is doing as long as it does not impact me in a negative way, but you all know. You've all been behind the guy who cannot figure out which lane he wants to be in or how fast he should travel in a given lane (usually because on their phone), and they slow you down multiple times or cut you off!
I don't want to be 'that guy' so I went without the adaptive cruise control. I'll drive my vehicle, not be driven by it. That way if I torque someone's nuts, it is because I did it and cannot be blamed on my vehicles "enhanced features".

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Jack Evans

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 13, 2021

Went ahead and added on the Lux Package to my Lariat and did away with Moon Roof. I know I'll like and use the other features as well and after reading the few responses so far, sounds like the ACC will really be a nice feature to have.

Reactions: 3

Jack Evans

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 18, 2021

Took a trip to Georgia and used the ACC extensively on the interstate. What a great feature to have. Can honestly say that using this didn't make me lazy or less attentive but It sure makes it less stressful knowing that you will slow down automatically when the car in front slows down and you don't realize it right away.
My wife used it for the first time and loved it. Sometimes on the interstate you have those delays where it is almost stop and slow go and with the ACC engaged, the car will go with the flow. As someone already mentioned earlier, this can really improve safety. I firmly believe that. I know cost is a factor but I honestly feel that this feature should be standard in the future. Looking forward on trying the lane centering feature once I have the Maverick.

Reactions: 2

Westsidetruck

· #13 · Aug 7, 2021

I can take it or leave it. I use it, and think it is good with respect to the person in front of me but it seems that I am always being tailgated by the person behind me because it takes a while for my car to get back to speed. I find that I am hitting the accelerator a lot to get distance from cars behind me. Because it is hybrid, I can drive in the HOV lane. It moves fast, but there is lots of traffic. I am good with old fashioned cruise for now

428PI

· #14 · Aug 8, 2021

I test drive cars for a living and noticed that the ones with adaptive cruise they're always slow to get up to speed after ahead vehicle turns off. Really annoying. I always set the distance to least distant and it's ok although I would probably run closer than the closest settings. Another annoying feature is the sudden braking you're not expecting when ahead vehicle decides to turn. You know you can pass safely but the vehicle will all of a sudden brake very hard. I don't know what would happen in inclement weather. I do wish my XLT would have adaptive cruise but not willing to spend another 3-5k to get it.

Newbernwolf

· #15 · Aug 8, 2021

428PI said:
I test drive cars for a living and noticed that the ones with adaptive cruise they're always slow to get up to speed after ahead vehicle turns off. Really annoying. I always set the distance to least distant and it's ok although I would probably run closer than the closest settings. Another annoying feature is the sudden braking you're not expecting when ahead vehicle decides to turn. You know you can pass safely but the vehicle will all of a sudden brake very hard. I don't know what would happen in inclement weather. I do wish my XLT would have adaptive cruise but not willing to spend another 3-5k to get it.

But, in my car at least, all I have to do is kick off the adaptive cruise control by touching the brake, then tap 'resume' to get back exactly where I was...

428PI

· #16 · Aug 8, 2021

Newbernwolf said:
But, in my car at least, all I have to do is kick off the adaptive cruise control by touching the brake, then tap 'resume' to get back exactly where I was...

or hit cancel on the steering wheel controls.

Reactions: 1

Philpug

· #17 · Aug 8, 2021

428PI said:
I test drive cars for a living and noticed that the ones with adaptive cruise they're always slow to get up to speed after ahead vehicle turns off. Really annoying. I always set the distance to least distant and it's ok although I would probably run closer than the closest settings. Another annoying feature is the sudden braking you're not expecting when ahead vehicle decides to turn. You know you can pass safely but the vehicle will all of a sudden brake very hard. I don't know what would happen in inclement weather. I do wish my XLT would have adaptive cruise but not willing to spend another 3-5k to get it.

I find that our 2018 Yukon XL tries too hard to get back up to speed and can downshift too much, depending on speed dropped of course. I don't like the sudden braking when if we are going around a curve and it thinks the vehicle in the next lane is in front of us and brakes hard.

tomsyco

· #18 · Aug 8, 2021

Adaptive cruise control along with lane centering definitely makes you a lazier less attentive driver per my experience. I have it on my other vehicle, and we have one vehicle that doesn't have it. I feel like I drift a little more than I used to now. It acknowledging that, I would never buy a new vehicle without all these features. They are convenient, and some of them could prevent an accident.

Reactions: 1

Fishchris

· #19 · Aug 10, 2021

To answer the OP, and I say this in all seriousness, yes, it does make you lazier, and less attentive....
But it also makes you safer.

The exception to this, is if you get used to using adaptive cruise control in one vehicle, then jump into another vehicle without it. Now you been trained to not pay attention, and your more dangerous.

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