For vehicles with cruise control, the lever is located on the left side of the steering wheel.
The cruise control maintains the vehicle's speed without having your foot on the accelerator pedal. The cruise control only works at speeds above 21 mph (33 km/h) (V6 engines) or above 24 mph (38 km/h) (V8 engines).
Caution: Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and you could lose control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.Setting Cruise Control
Caution: If you leave your cruise control on when you are not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when you do not want to. You could be startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise control switch off until you want to use cruise control.
- Press the button at the end of the cruise control lever. The CRUISE ON light comes on in the instrument panel cluster. See Instrument Panel Cluster.
- Get up to the desired speed.
- Turn the band down to SET- and then release it. The CRUISE ACTIVE light comes on in the instrument panel cluster.
- Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) becomes active, the cruise control automatically disengages. See Electronic Stability Program. When road conditions allow the cruise control can be used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then the brakes are applied or the button is pressed once, the cruise control shuts off.
Once the vehicle speed is 21 mph (33 km/h) (V6 engines) or 24 mph (38 km/h) (V8 engines) or greater, turn the band briefly to RES+ position. The vehicle returns to the previously set speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
| • | Turn the band up to the RES+ position. Hold it there until the desired speed is reached, then release it. |
| • | To increase the vehicle speed in very small amounts, turn the band to RES+ briefly and then release it. Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster. |
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce the vehicle speed while using cruise control:
| • | Turn the band down to the SET- position. Hold it there until the lower speed desired is reached, then release it. |
| • | To slow down in very small amounts, turn the band to SET- briefly and then release it. Each time this is done, the vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower. |
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle slows down to the cruise control speed set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle speed down. When the brakes are applied the cruise control is turned off.
Ending Cruise Control
| • | Step lightly on the brake pedal. When the cruise control is deactivated, the CRUISE INACTIVE message appears in the instrument panel cluster. |
| • | Press the button at the end of the lever two times. |
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
