Does cruise control use more fuel

We conducted a small test to see if fuel consumption was any different between self-modulation of the throttle or using cruise control.

The results actually surprised us.

Our test was done on the Johannesburg ring road freeway system covering the N1, N3, N12 circuit and covered a distance of roughly 80km per trip. We did the journey twice, once using throttle only and the second time using cruise control.

At designated points along the journey we captured readings from the cars immediate fuel consumption gauge and recorded them.

What we found was that on the open flat stretches of freeway we recorded our best consumption figures with the cruise control on along the N1 between Malibongwe Drive and the Diepkloof Interchange but once we reached hilly sections this dropped significantly especially around the Southern Bypass section on the N12.

Although the figures were not = vastly different over a very long journey they would definitely have a impact.

We recommend using cruise control on long open road journeys but in and around the city its best to let your right foot do the work.