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Guide to Adaptive Cruise Control

How this convenience feature works to reduce your stress on long drives

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is like traditional cruise control, but smarter. ACC systems allow you to set a desired speed until your vehicle encounters slower-moving traffic. Then it will brake to maintain a set distance from the car ahead. Once the traffic starts moving again or if there is no longer a car in the lane ahead, ACC will accelerate to resume the previous set speed. Although ACC systems may take some getting used to, our survey respondents told us they appreciated the stress relief the feature brings.

“I use the feature mostly on the freeway and in stop-and-go traffic. I find it reduces tension and fatigue,” wrote a 2020 Subaru Outback owner. A 2018 Audi Q5 driver agreed. “It is so nice to just set it and let the car worry about the traffic,” they told CR.

The systems use lasers, radar, cameras, or a combination of those. If traffic slows to a stop, most ACC systems will bring the car to a complete stop, then bring it back up to speed when traffic gets going again. Others work only within certain speeds and/or might not start to accelerate automatically.

Adaptive cruise control (ACC): Cruise control that also assists with acceleration and/or braking to maintain a driver-selected gap to the vehicle in front. Some systems can come to a stop and continue while others cannot. If the car comes to a full stop, you may have to press the accelerator or a button on the steering wheel to start moving again.

Not all systems work at low speeds, so drivers who plan to use ACC in slow traffic should check the limitations of any system they plan to buy. These particular systems will often have the words “traffic jam” or “stop and go” in their name.

These features are usually activated using a button on the steering wheel with the image of a car next to a speedometer with an arrow pointing at it. A conventional cruise control system does not automatically keep a set distance away from the car in front, and it is indicated by a similar logo without the car next to the speedometer. A tip to know if your car has adaptive cruise control or regular cruise control is to look for the “gap distance” button, which usually shows a symbol of a car with horizontal distance bars in front. This button will determine how much space your car leaves between its front bumper and the rear of the car it is following.

In our most recent survey, we asked CR members to rate their experiences with the advanced safety and driver assistance systems on their model-year 2017 to 2022 cars. Respondents answered questions about their satisfaction with the systems. The survey covered about 47,000 vehicles. Most respondents told us they were “very satisfied” with ACC. Satisfaction was higher for older drivers.

OVERALL SATISFACTION

What to Look For in an Adaptive Cruise Control System

Every ACC system works slightly differently, says Kelly Funkhouser, manager for vehicle technology at CR. Some do a better job than others at recognizing merging traffic and automatically apply the brakes, while others wait too long to slow your car, requiring the driver to take control—especially when a vehicle in front of you cuts you off with a close merge.

“Most ACC systems can only be set to speeds above 20 mph but will slow the vehicle to speeds below that in stop-and-go traffic,” she says. “There are a few systems out there that don’t bring the car all the way to a stop but instead just shut off at low speeds. That can be dangerous when you’re traveling behind another slowing vehicle.” She recommends reading the automaker’s website closely and learning about the speed ranges before using ACC while on your test drive.

ACC is meant for convenience, not as a replacement for an alert driver, Funkhouser says. So don’t use adaptive cruise control as an excuse to get distracted. “Just because the car is controlling your speed doesn’t mean that you can check out,” she says. “These systems do not do well at detecting or slowing for vehicles ahead if you approach them at a high rate of speed. The driver should always be monitoring the surrounding traffic and looking ahead for potential hazards.”

Keith Barry

Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University. Follow him on Twitter @itskeithbarry .

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Demystifying Adaptive Cruise Control: A Comprehensive Guide

As an auto tech expert and self-driving car enthusiast, I often get asked about Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and how exactly it works to automatically adjust your car‘s speed. ACC is one of the coolest semi-autonomous technologies available today, making highway drives safer and less stressful. But it‘s also complex under the hood!

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll give you an in-depth look at ACC – how it works, different types, key benefits, limitations, and what the future holds for adaptive cruise and autonomous driving.

ACC 101 – Adjusting Speed to the Car in Front

ACC uses radar, laser sensors or cameras to monitor the vehicle ahead and adjust your speed accordingly to maintain a preset following distance. If the vehicle in front slows, so does your car – automatically! ACC reduces the constant manual braking and acceleration required in heavy traffic.

Here‘s a quick ACC capability comparison:

ACC delivers a major safety and convenience upgrade from old cruise control technology first introduced in the 1950s. Let‘s look under the hood at how ACC performs this speed adaptation trickery…

ACC Sensor Technology – Radar vs. Laser vs. Camera

ACC systems rely on forward-facing sensors to detect the speed and distance of vehicles ahead. Most ACC systems use radar (radio waves), while some premium vehicles use laser sensors or cameras paired with image processing. Here‘s how each sensor approach works:

Radar Adaptive Cruise Control

Uses radio waves in the 24 GHz or 77 GHz frequency bands
Excellent range (160m+) and unaffected by weather
Distributed beam provides wide field of view
Cannot identify shape and classification of objects
Overall the most robust and widely adopted ACC technology

Laser Adaptive Cruise Control

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser sensors
Very high resolution and accuracy
Narrow, focused beam with longer range than radar
Performance impacted by weather and dirt
Limited adoption due to higher cost

Camera-Based Adaptive Cruise Control

Uses front-facing camera and video processing
Can visually identify vehicles braking ahead
Shorter effective range with narrow field of view
Limited use for ACC, better for lane centering

Radar ACC is the most common since it combines long range, wide scanning angle, with reasonable cost. However, some automakers like Toyota and BMW use both radar and cameras to complement each other.

Real World ACC Performance

In optimal highway conditions, ACC works exceptionally well to adapt your vehicle‘s speed based on traffic ahead. However, ACC has limitations that require driver supervision:

Following distance – Most systems allow setting 1,2 or 3 second gap to car ahead. Younger drivers tend to prefer the risky 1 second gap!

Cut-ins – When a vehicle changes lane in front, ACC response can be delayed

Curves & hills – Around blind turns or over hills, performance drops as radar line-of-sight is lost

Bad weather – Heavy rain, snow, and fog degrade radar and laser sensor effectiveness

Bright light – Low sun angles and bright reflections can overwhelm camera sensors

Small objects – Most ACC systems have trouble consistently detecting motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians

While ACC has its limits, it‘s remarkably helpful day-to-day in reducing driver burden. But expect some occasionally quirky behavior so you‘re not caught off guard!

ACC Availability Across Vehicle Makes

ACC technology premiered in 1992, but only became popular on luxury cars in the early 2000s. ACC is now commonplace across all major auto brands:

And it‘s a standard feature on most luxury vehicles:

With so many automakers offering ACC, it‘s now an expected convenience feature for car buyers.

Comparing OEM Adaptive Cruise Systems

While ACC capabilities are similar across brands, there are some notable differences between automaker systems:

Mercedes-Benz Distronic

Industry-leading ACC technology since introduced in 1998
Uses long-range 77 GHz radar + stereo cameras
Capable of full stop-and-go operation
Automatically adjusts speed for curves and junctions

GM Super Cruise

Camera + radar ACC combined with precision GPS mapping
Enables hands-free driving on limited access highways
Driver attention monitoring via face tracking camera

Nissan ProPilot Assist

Budget ACC + lane centering system
Smooth performance but more limited capability
Delayed responses compared to premium systems

Toyota Dynamic Radar Cruise

Lower speed operation down to 25mph
Conservative speed adjustment when following
Prone to leaving large gaps in traffic

Overall Mercedes sets the benchmark for ACC performance and capability in my opinion, with German automakers continuing to lead the way.

Adding ACC to Older Vehicles

You don‘t need to buy a new car to experience ACC convenience. There are aftermarket ACC systems available to add radar-based speed adaptation to older vehicles:

Comma Two : $1100 standalone ACC system powered by camera and radar sensors. Installs by connecting directly to vehicle CAN bus. Impressive capabilities given aftermarket nature.

Autocruise : $2500 ACC system requiring professional installation. Uses front camera and radar sensors. Provides ACC + lane centering.

RoadMate : $1800 radar-only ACC system. Easier self-install with OBDII plug-in. But limited braking capability.

Aftermarket systems provide a taste of ACC and advanced driver assist capabilities. But overall, OEM automaker ACC integration delivers a smoother and more reliable driver experience.

The Road to Fully Autonomous Driving

A key benefit of ACC systems is paving the way for fully autonomous self-driving vehicle (SDV) technology. The cruise control computers, radars, and cameras ACC relies on provide the foundational sensing and actuation building blocks for SDVs.

Here are some of the key ACC enhancements feeding into full autonomy:

Improved camera imaging – Higher resolution, HDR, night vision, wider field of view

Sensor fusion – Combining radar, camera and ultrasounds for 360 degree coverage

Tighter vehicle integration – Braking and steering authority expanded beyond ACC

Detailed 3D mapping – Ultra-precise maps enable self-driving without relying solely on sensors

V2X communication – Sharing intent and sensor data with nearby vehicles, infrastructure

Redundant systems – Backup sensors, computers, and actuators to maximize safety

The big challenge is mastering full self-driving in complex urban environments. While ACC handles long boring highway drives, crowded city streets require an entirely new level of autonomous driving expertise.

Optimizing ACC for the Future

As an auto tech expert, I see great potential ahead for ACC technology. But there are also improvements I‘d love to see:

Quicker reactions – Faster stopping when vehicle cuts in front

All speed operation – ACC availability even in start-stop traffic

Improved object detection – Identifying pedestrians, cyclists, animals

Left/right radar – Side-facing sensors to monitor blind spots

Personalization – Driver tailored ACC preferences and profiles

Intuitive controls – Simplifying overly complex ACC settings menus

Seamless transitions – Handoff between ACC, lane centering and parking systems

Driver monitoring – Alerts for distraction and loss of attention

With future refinement, ACC can move beyond just being a convenience feature and provide truly safe semi-autonomous driving.

Challenges Facing Consumer ACC Adoption

Despite the benefits of ACC, there are still barriers to mass consumer adoption:

Cost – Only available on higher trim models outside budget for many car buyers

Trust – Drivers underestimate capabilities and effectiveness of ACC

Complexity – Many settings overwhelm drivers new to the technology

Reliability – Sensor degradation and performance concerns over vehicle lifetime

Education – Lack of ACC training for consumers

Addressing these challenges will be key for ACC to transition from a luxury feature to a standard capability that drivers actually use day-to-day.

Testing and Validating Adaptive Cruise Systems

Before ACC systems hit the road, automakers put them through rigorous testing to ensure safety:

Hardware-in-the-Loop – Validating ACC sensor + ECU integration

Test track assessment – Repeated runs observing ACC capability in action

Scenario testing – Emulating cut-ins, curved roads, weather effects

Naturalistic driving – Recording ACC use in real uncontrolled driving

Simulation – Modeling ACC components and logic virtually

Public road testing – Validation in early prototype vehicles

Safety audits – Third-party review of ACC functionality

Months of testing provides confidence in ACC operation. But it‘s impossible to evaluate every edge case scenario an ACC system may encounter once on the road.

Insider ACC Troubleshooting Tips

To dig deeper into ACC, I connected with Sam who works on ACC radar sensor calibration at General Motors. He shared some pro tips on troubleshooting ACC issues:

"One problem we see is radar misalignment that prevents ACC from detecting vehicles ahead accurately. This can occur if the radar or front bumper gets even slightly shifted, say due to a minor collision. I recommend first visually inspecting the radar position and realigning if necessary. Also watch out for mud or snow buildup around the sensor which can block radio waves."

"Software bugs are another ACC gremlin, like incorrect gap distance or delayed braking. But these can often be remedied with an ECU update at the dealership. And make sure the windshield in front of the camera is squeaky clean for camera-based systems! Dirty glass is an easy pitfall."

So when ACC acts up, check for sensor obstructions, misalignment, and also ask your dealer to verify the latest software is installed.

I hope this ACC deep dive has helped shed light on how this clever technology works and what the future holds. Let me know if you have any other ACC questions!

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What Is Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a system designed to help road vehicles maintain a safe following distance and stay within the speed limit. This system adjusts a car's speed automatically so drivers don't have to.

control buttons on steering wheel in a modern car

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a system designed to help vehicles maintain a safe following distance and stay within the speed limit. This system adjusts a car's speed automatically so drivers don't have to.

Adaptive cruise control is one of 20 terms used to describe its functions so that you might see adaptive cruise control as the following in advertisements and vehicle descriptions:

Active cruise control
Dynamic cruise control
Radar cruise control
Automatic cruise control
Intelligent cruise control

ACC functions by sensory technology installed within vehicles such as cameras, lasers, and radar equipment, which creates an idea of how close one car is to another, or other objects on the roadway. For this reason, ACC is the basis for future car intelligence.

These sensory technologies allow the car to detect and warn the driver about potential forward collisions. When this happens, red lights begin to flash, and the phrase 'brake now!' appears on the dashboard to help the driver slow down. There might also be an audible warning.

Advantages of Adaptive Cruise Control

Limitations of adaptive cruise control.

Although there are many advantages to adaptive cruise control, there are still limitations to consider. One of the main faults in this system is the fact that it is not entirely autonomous. The driver of the vehicle still needs to practice safe driving habits that will work in tandem with this technology to produce the best results. Similarly, adverse weather conditions like snow, rain, or fog might confuse the system's sensors, as well as environmental factors such as driving through tunnels.

What Is the Difference Between a Level 1 Autonomous Car and a Level 2 Autonomous Car?

According to SAE International, when a car only has autonomous cruise control , it is considered to be a level 1 autonomous car. In contrast, a vehicle with autonomous cruise control and an additional feature, such as lane control, gets classified as a level 2 autonomous car.

How Much Does an Adaptive Cruise Control System Cost?

According to ExtremeTech, The cost of an adaptive cruise control system will vary depending on how many features you want. If you're going to have an ACC with all available features, you should be willing to pay anywhere between $2000 and $2500. If you are looking for minimal cruise control that would benefit speeds of up to 20-25 miles per hour, these more basic ACCs can cost as low as $500. The good news is that as ACC becomes more common, it will most likely reduce in price.

History of Adaptive Cruise Control

U.S. News says Mitsubishi first introduced adaptive cruise control in Japan in 1992 . This was a lidar-based distance detection system that detected objects that were getting too close. It was labeled as 'Debonair' and it was programmed to provide a warning to the driver about oncoming objects. The main difference was that it was the driver's job to apply the brakes and reduce their speed.

However, two years later in 1995, the Mitsubishi Diamante featured an upgraded approach to the Debonair called 'Preview Distance Control.' Unlike the original technology, this laser-powered system could adjust a driver's speed by downshifting or controlling the throttle. The driver was still responsible for applying the brakes.

From the early 2000s onward, big names in the car industry, such as Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac, Volkswagen, Infinity, Hyundai, Toyota, and Audi, created their versions of adaptive cruise control in their vehicles. These individual features have evolved into a high-tech system with automatic braking and speed control.

Types of Adaptive Cruise Control

Radar-based systems.

According to eInfoChips, radar-based systems work by placing radar-based sensors on or around plastic fascias to detect your vehicle's surroundings. Each radar sensor works together to create a comprehensive picture of the vehicle's proximity to other cars or potentially hazardous objects. This type of sensor can look different depending on the design and model of the car.

Laser-Based Systems

As mentioned by Electronic Design , this type of ACC system operates out of a large black box typically placed in the grille of your vehicle. It uses laser technology to detect the proximity of objects to your car. It does not operate well during rainstorms and other weather conditions.

Binocular Computer Vision Systems (Optical)

According to ExtremeTech, this is a relatively new ACC system put into use in 2013. It uses small cameras that are placed on the back of a vehicle's rearview mirror to detect front-facing objects.

Assisting Systems

Assisting systems are radar-based add-ons that customers can buy together. These pre-crash systems can offer lane control, brake assistance, cruise control, proximity alerts to objects like corners, and steering power.

Multi-Sensor Systems

According to Fierce Electronics , adaptive cruise control systems sometimes integrate more than one type of sensor to aid in a vehicle's operation. Multi-sensor systems incorporate several different sensor types to provide a driver with advanced information. These sensors might include GPS data equipment or cameras to gather information about a vehicle's geographic environment and proximity to other cars.

Predictive Systems

As mentioned by Autoblog, prediction systems are a type of ACC that uses sensory data to predict the actions of neighboring vehicles. This means that your car might slow down to brace for another vehicle suddenly switching lanes and, in doing so, promotes passenger safety.

Adaptive cruise control is evolving each year. Car companies are continuously making adjustments to this technology and, in doing so, creating more common and affordable options that can be purchased with a new car or added to older car models, making driving safer for everyday people.

Information and research in this article verified by ASE-certified Master Technician Keith Canete of YourMechanic.com . For any feedback or correction requests please contact us at [email protected] .

https://www.einfochips.com/blog/why-automotive-companies-should-adopt-radar-based-adas-systems/

https://www.electronicdesign.com/markets/automotive/article/21797633/adaptive-cruise-control-laser-diodes-as-an-alternative-to-millimeterwave-radars

https://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/14/new-honda-smart-cruise-control-predicts-other-motorists-future/

https://www.fierceelectronics.com/components/three-sensor-types-drive-autonomous-vehicles

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/157172-what-is-adaptive-cruise-control-and-how-does-it-work

https://mycardoeswhat.org/safety-features/adaptive-cruise-control/

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/what-is-adaptive-cruise-control

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/columns/

https://www.sae.org/

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Edmunds: Adaptive cruise systems are not made equal

This undated photo provided by Edmunds shows a typical set of controls to set and change the following distance of adaptive cruise control. Adaptive cruise control, once only seen on luxury vehicles, has now become increasingly available on entry-level models. (Rex Tokeshi-Torres/Edmunds via AP)

This undated photo provided by Edmunds shows how adaptive cruise control can deactivate under predetermined speeds and in certain vehicles. Adaptive cruise control, once only seen on luxury vehicles, has now become increasingly available on entry-level models. (Rex Tokeshi-Torres/Edmunds via AP)

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Adaptive cruise control, once only seen on luxury vehicles, has now become increasingly available on entry-level models. For example, nearly every new Honda and Toyota vehicle comes with this feature as standard equipment. Five years ago, hardly any of them offered it, even as an option.

But not all adaptive cruise systems are made alike. While the overall goal is to keep you at a set speed and distance from the vehicle in front, there are key differences in the technology that car shoppers should be aware of.

We test hundreds of cars a year at Edmunds, giving us plenty of experience with observing how these systems work and how they differ. Here’s what we found.

HOW ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS

Traditional cruise control allows you to set a fixed speed, thereby allowing you to take your foot off the gas pedal. Adaptive cruise control, also known as dynamic cruise or smart cruise, goes further by detecting and reacting to the vehicles ahead of you. How it goes about this varies by the automaker and the type of technology used, which ranges from radar-based systems to those with sophisticated cameras.

You set a speed and following distance, which is usually in increments of car lengths. If a vehicle within the set following distance slows down, your vehicle will automatically slow down as well to maintain that set distance. When the vehicle in front speeds up, your vehicle will automatically speed up to keep the same distance. It will only accelerate up to the cruise control speed limit that you set, however.

HOW THEY DIFFER

The systems will differ based on the automaker-programmed behaviors and the sensors on the vehicle. Here are some of the key differences.

— Following distance: Automakers can have varying interpretations of a car length. On the BMW 5 Series for example, it will be closer to one-and-a-half car lengths. More basic systems will be more conservative by following two car lengths behind, as seen in the Lexus GS.

— Minimum speed setting: Some allow you to set the speed at a minimum of 15 mph (or even lower), while others require a minimum of 25 mph and above before you can engage the adaptive cruise, like with the Honda Odyssey.

— Reaction times: Some systems will operate smoothly and naturally, much like a good human driver would. Others can be overly lurchy when applying the brakes or aggravatingly slow when it’s time to accelerate.

— Stop-and-go traffic behavior: When following a vehicle at a set distance, some systems are able to slow down and come to a complete stop like the Volkswagen Atlas with “ACC with Stop and Go,” while others deactivate adaptive cruise if you drop below 25 mph, like the aforementioned Odyssey. Systems that come to a stop might require the driver to push a button or the gas pedal to get going again.

— Predictive/reactionary capabilities: More advanced systems can also see the lanes next to you and begin to slow down when they sense a vehicle beginning to merge into your lane.

OUR DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

Two vehicles equipped with good adaptive cruise are the Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Atlas. While the Prius is a bit on the conservative side in terms of following distance, it does brake smoothly. The Atlas’ system also has a natural braking feel when slowing down and allows you to set a closer following distance than the Prius, if that’s what you want.

The current Mercedes-Benz E 53 AMG equipped with the advanced adaptive cruise found in the “Driver Assistance Package” is a standout model that maintains a more accurate following distance than the Prius and the Atlas. It also comes to a complete stop and will automatically reengage once the car in front of you moves forward.

Using adaptive cruise can help make driving less fatiguing. But there have been a few times in past evaluations when Edmunds’ drivers needed to intervene. In one specific case with a 2017 Infiniti QX30, a slow-moving vehicle in front moved out of the lane and another vehicle quickly took its place. The adaptive cruise only recognized the vehicle moving away and, because our driver had a higher cruising speed set, almost sped us into the other vehicle. This move could have resulted in an accident if not for our driver’s intervention.

EDMUNDS SAYS: It’s important to know the limitations of your vehicle’s adaptive cruise control in order to use it safely. Make this part of your research when looking into a new car. And if you already own one, crack open the owner’s manual. Finally, keep in mind that adaptive cruise control is a driver aid. It is not meant to replace your role as an attentive driver.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Rex Tokeshi-Torres is a vehicle testing technician at Edmunds. Twitter: @trackwrex.

What is adaptive cruise control?

It’s not a stretch to call cruise control one of the earliest driving aids. It wasn’t always electronic, and it certainly didn’t make your grandfather’s 1982 Cadillac Seville autonomous, but it was a revolutionary invention. (Although here’s a fun fact: Your grandfather’s Buick had the first infotainment system way back in 1986.)

What to look for in an adaptive cruise control system

What do automakers call adaptive cruise control, are there aftermarket adaptive cruise control systems, who does adaptive cruise control best.

Adaptive cruise control takes it to the next level. It maintains a set speed for your vehicle, like a conventional cruise control system, but it also adjusts the speed based on the traffic flow. Better systems can come you a full stop in heavy traffic and continue when congestion lightens. This technology can make cruise control more useful by taking some (but not all) of the workload off the driver. Here’s what it is, and how it works.

The concept is simple: Make the car accelerates and decelerates automatically depending on how quickly the cars around it are moving. The devil’s in the details, however.

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To do it, a car must be equipped with sensors that allow it to detect nearby vehicles and potential obstacles. Most adaptive cruise control systems use radar, with high resolution radar on the horizon, although a camera and lidar (which works on the same principle as radar, but with light waves) can be used as well. You can often spot these cameras integrated into the grille or mounted behind the windshield. These sensors communicate with a computer that controls the throttle and, sometimes, the brakes and the steering system.

In its most basic form, adaptive cruise control technology only handles acceleration and deceleration, usually by following the car in front and maintaining a set following distance. Some automakers have started bundling this feature with a system that can bring the car to a full stop if needed, which comes in handy in a traffic jam, and/or one that provides a limited amount of steering assistance to keep the car centered in its lane.

Adaptive cruise control is at the center of the pile of electronic driving aids some automakers believe could form the basis of fully autonomous driving . We’re nowhere near autonomous cars, though, and it’s important not to mistake adaptive cruise control and other related technologies for full autonomy. These systems are designed to help the driver, not to drive the car themselves while the driver dozes off or counts blue cars going the other way.

Adaptive cruise control is sometimes known as dynamic radar cruise control or intelligent cruise control, and most automakers give the system brand names to make it more marketable. Regardless, the basic idea is that a car accelerates and decelerates automatically depending on how quickly the cars around it are moving.

BMW: Active Cruise Control, Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go Cadillac: Super Cruise Honda and Acura: Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow Hyundai: Smart Cruise Control Kia: Advanced Smart Cruise Control Mercedes-Benz: Active Distance Assist Distronic Nissan and Infiniti: Intelligent Cruise Control, a part of Nissan’s ProPilot 2.0 system Subaru: Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, part of the brand’s EyeSight package Tesla: Autopilot Toyota and Lexus : Dynamic Cruise Control, Dynamic Cruise Control with Stop and Go

This is one technology that cannot easily be retrofitted to an existing car. The complexity of adaptive cruise control systems puts them beyond the reach of the aftermarket. Considering that these systems can mean the difference between a car driving along and a car smashing into the back of another vehicle, concerns over liability will probably keep adaptive cruise control firmly within the domain of the original equipment manufacturers for the time being.

Like systems available from other automakers, Cadillac’s Super Cruise allows the car to accelerate, steer, and brake without driver intervention on highways. But Cadillac is the only automaker to specifically claim that drivers can take their hands off the wheel. That’s because Cadillac did a thorough job in setting up Super Cruise. Not only does the system rely on an array of cameras, radar, and lidar, but Cadillac also mapped 200,000 miles of highway. Super Cruise also has a driver-facing camera, and will only work if a certain level of driver alertness is maintained.

It’s too bad Super Cruise isn’t widely available, at least, not yet. Cadillac launched the system on its flagship CT6 sedan but has been slow to expand to other models. With the CT6 set to be discontinued, Cadillac finally announced that Super Cruise will be available on the CT4 and CT5 sedans when they go on sale in the coming months. Those sedans use a new electrical architecture that can support Super Cruise.

Subaru’s EyeSight system uses cameras instead of radar, bringing down its cost and making installation of the hardware a bit easier. EyeSight bundles adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, a “pre-collision throttle management” feature that cuts the throttle ahead of an anticipated collision, and low-speed autonomous emergency braking. On some models, Subaru has also added a driver-facing camera to ensure the driver stays alert while these features are in use.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes offers one of the most comprehensive adaptive cruise control and driver-assistance suites of any automaker. Its latest Distronic Plus system can keep up with traffic, but also brake the car to a full stop in stop-and-go situations. The system will automatically resume driving if the car remains stopped for less than three seconds; longer stops require a tap of the accelerator pedal or of the cruise control’s “resume” button. A steering-assist feature helps keep the car centered in its lane, and certain versions of the system can initiate lane changes.

Tesla’s Autopilot system has attracted its share of controversy, and the name is a bit misleading considering that a human driver must be kept in the loop, but it’s still one of the most advanced systems of its kind. In addition to following traffic and automatically keeping a car in its lane, Autopilot can execute lane changes with the flick of a turn signal, and negotiate some highway off-ramps. Tesla’s ability to pull data from cars using the system and launch over-the-air software updates means Autopilot has significant potential to improve over time.

It’s no surprise that an automaker obsessed with safety was an early adopter of adaptive cruise control. Volvo was also one of the first automakers to pair the technology with autonomous emergency braking, allowing a car to both automatically follow a vehicle in front and brake if it encounters an obstacle. Volvo’s latest Pilot Assist II system doesn’t need to track a vehicle ahead, can a keep a car centered in its lane, and can operate at speeds up to 80 mph.

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General Motors-backed Cruise revealed this week that its fully driverless cars have now traveled more than a million miles, mostly on the streets of San Francisco.

The achievement comes just 15 months after the company’s first fully driverless ride, during which time it also launched San Francisco’s first paid driverless robotaxi service.

Cruise’s autonomous cars are heading to Texas and Arizona before the end of this year.

The General Motors-owned company plans to launch ridesharing pilots in Austin and Phoenix in what will be its first expansion of the service outside of San Francisco.

General Motors autonomous car unit, Cruise, has started to offer driverless rides to residents of San Francisco as it moves toward the launch of a full-fledged robo-taxi service.

Following a test run of the service last week, Cruise has released a video (below) showing the reaction of the very first passengers as they rode through the streets of the Californian city in a vehicle that had nobody behind the wheel.

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Adaptive Cruise Control: What is ACC in ADAS?

June 3, 2021

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What is ACC in ADAS?

When it comes to cars, ACC stands for Adaptive Cruise Control. In a Consumer Reports survey , 85 percent of drivers with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on their vehicles said they were very satisfied with it. What’s more, 19 percent said their ACC system helped to avoid a crash.

Standard cruise control has been around since the 1950s . Adaptive cruise control has been in development since the 1990s . Mercedes was the first automaker to bring ACC to the U.S. market in 1999 . Twenty years later, automakers are still working to improve their cruise control offerings. In the meantime, ACC technology has become one of the building blocks of autonomous driving.

In this article, we will explain adaptive cruise control and how it works, provide examples of ACC features in ADAS packages, and explain the importance of adaptive cruise control calibration.

What is Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise control or Active Cruise Control (ACC) is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that automatically adjusts a vehicle’s speed when there are slow-moving vehicles ahead, with the aim of maintaining a safe following distance. When the road ahead is clear, ACC automatically accelerates to your pre-set speed. Adaptive cruise control is ideal for highway speeds.

ACC is a major component and precursor of fully autonomous vehicles. According to SAE , Driving Automation Level 1 driver support features provide steering OR brake/acceleration to the driver while the jump to Level 2 requires features that provide both steering AND brake/acceleration to the driver. On its own, ACC is a Level 1, but when combined with another driver assist feature that steers, your vehicle reaches Level 2 on the Driving Automation scale – a step closer to fully autonomous driving .

As a foundation of autonomous driving, ACC has the capability of reducing driver stress and radically improving driver safety. A study from the Highway Loss Data Institute studied insurance claims data from 2013-2017 BMW vehicles to see how ADAS affected collision, damage, and injury rates. The BMW Driving Assistance package added ACC to the following ADAS: Forward Collision Warning , Lane Departure Warning , Front Automatic Emergency Braking . With the addition of ACC, this package reduced the rates of property damage by 27 percent and bodily injury claim rates by 37 percent.

How does Adaptive Cruise Control work?

Just as with traditional cruise control, the adaptive cruise control system requires drivers to choose their preferred speed. Next, ACC requires drivers to set their preferred following distance from the vehicle’s pre-set options. Many have close, medium, and far selections to toggle between.

Sensors Used in Adaptive Cruise Control

Vehicles with adaptive cruise control use ACC sensor data to tell your car’s speed, distance from other vehicles, and the speed of vehicles ahead of you. There are many types of adaptive cruise control technology. The following types of sensors have all been used for ACC:

Laser (Lidar)

Most (but not all) current forms of this ADAS use radar as their main source of information. A radar sensor mounted in the front of the vehicle is used to analyze the road ahead. It does this by emitting radio waves and measuring how long they take to return to the ACC sensor. A few internal calculations and your vehicle can tell the car’s distance and speed. Data from the radar distance sensors and the vehicle speed sensors are used to adjust your speed and keep your car a set distance from the one ahead of you.

ACC System Versions and Commonly Bundled ADAS

Most automakers have their own version of adaptive cruise control. Not everyone uses the same names for their ACC system. Here are a few industry terms that are all different names for ACC:

Dynamic cruise control
Intelligent cruise control
Radar cruise control
Radar adaptive cruise control
Dynamic laser cruise control
Autonomous cruise control
Smart cruise control
Dynamic radar cruise control

ACC with Stop & Go, Traffic Jam

Beyond the similar naming, there are several different features that adaptive cruise control is often bundled with to provide sensor fusion. One example of this is a feature called ACC with Stop and Go or ACC with Traffic Jam Assist. This adds the ability to come to a complete stop via automatic braking and then re-accelerate to the car’s set speed as traffic moves. All the while, data from sensors is used to keep a set, safe distance from cars ahead when you encounter heavy traffic.

Because it’s not an autonomous car, those with stop and go capabilities will only “go” again within three seconds if traffic flow allows. If it’s longer than three seconds, driver action is needed to re-engage the system.

ACC + Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Braking

Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) advanced driver assistance systems are often combined with ACC to provide audible alerts, instrument panel alerts, and tactile warnings of a forward collision risk, then automatic braking to prevent or mitigate damage from a collision.

ACC + Lane Centering

Adaptive Cruise Control works well with others. As previously mentioned, when adaptive cruise control is combined with an ADAS with steering capabilities like lane centering and proactive lane keeping assist systems, your car is considered a Level 2 on the SAE autonomous driving scale — meaning that the vehicle can accelerate, decelerate, and steer on its own — under very specific conditions, including initiation speed and weather. While it’s a step up in terms of driving automation, for safety, a human driver is still required to supervise constantly, including steering, braking, or accelerating.

ACC + GPS or Traffic Sign Recognition

Some ACC systems offer advanced traffic sign recognition , while others utilize GPS speed limit data. These optional ACC features help to combat the use of ACC technology to speed.

4 Examples of Adaptive Cruise Control

There are many different flavors of ACC. Names, tech, and bundled features make the automotive landscape — dotted with endless features, diverse names, and function variations — a bit tricky to navigate. To help you recognize ACC features, here are four automaker examples.

Ford Adaptive Cruise Control

Ford is one example of an automaker with adaptive cruise control. Here’s how Ford’s describes its system and capabilities:

“Available on select Ford vehicles is a series of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) features employing advanced radar and camera technology. ACC lets you set a cruising speed and distance from the vehicle ahead of you. When it slows down, you automatically do too; when traffic picks back up, you resume your preset speed and distance. Then comes ACC with Stop-and-Go, which enables you to come to a complete stop when the vehicle ahead stops. Now add Lane Centering, which scans the lane markings to help you stay in your lane if the system detects you’re drifting out of it. And that’s not all. Now there’s Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, which includes all of these features plus new Speed Sign Recognition that can automatically adjust the set speed of your vehicle to the posted speed limit.”

Honda Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow

In the Honda Sensing ADAS package, the automaker offers ACC on many 2021 models with what it calls Low Speed Follow. Here’s how Honda describes it :

“Cruising on the open highway has never been easier! Honda’s Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow lets you set your cruise speed and interval behind a vehicle detected ahead, and then maintains that interval by braking your vehicle or applying the throttle. And the Low-Speed Follow function can bring your vehicle to a complete stop when a vehicle detected ahead slows to a stop, and it lets you resume operation by pressing a button or the accelerator.”

Hyundai Smart Cruise control (SCC) with Stop & Go

Hyundai offers adaptive cruise control, including on the Santa Fe. Here’s how the automaker describes it :

“While traveling at a speed set by you, it uses radar to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. When the system slows the vehicle to a stop, it will reactivate if the vehicle in front moves within 3 seconds.”

Hyundai also offers Highway Driving Assist that works together with Smart Cruise Control. Here’s how Hyundai describes this feature :

“Your “co-pilot” for highway driving, when actively engaged with Smart Cruise Control or Lane Following Assist, this smart convenience automatically helps keep you centered in your lane and traveling at a safe distance behind the car ahead. Not only that, it also can keep you driving at the right speeds, automatically setting your pace based on GPS and highway data.”

Subaru EyeSight Adaptive Cruise Control

As part of Subaru’s Eyesight Driver Assist Technology Package, ACC is standard on many of the brand’s 2021 models and optional on the rest. It uses dual forward-facing color cameras mounted near the rearview mirror. Here’s how Subaru describes its ACC system in a promotional video :

“With adaptive cruise control, eyesight can help you stay with the flow of traffic. When you set cruise control, you can select from up to four present following distances. EyeSight watches ahead and if it detects traffic is slowing, adaptive cruise control adjusts your speed accordingly to keep your selected distance. Once traffic starts moving faster, it can automatically accelerate back up to your set speed. It can even work in stop-and-go traffic.

For some, it’s less worry about adjusting cruise control. For others, it’s like having an extra set of eyes on the road.”

Adaptive Cruise Control Limitations

Drivers should know that they are responsible for what happens when they are behind the wheel. Every company makes sure to include an asterisk and notice that drivers are still needing to be actively engaged in driving. Some drivers are using ACC to speed . A study of 40 drivers by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that they were more likely to speed when equipped with ACC.

ACC works well in clear day and night driving, and in light weather. However, if there is fog, heavy rain, or snow, it won’t work. Additionally, if dirt, snow, or ice are on the sensors, they won’t work. ACC also has trouble on winding roads.

With or without ACC, it’s important to always leave more space during poor driving conditions, including inclement weather.

Adaptive Cruise Control Calibration

ACC is one of the most common ADAS features in vehicles today. Like other ADAS systems, ACC needs to have sensors recalibrated after a collision and many vehicle services like windshield replacement . ADAS calibration keeps ACC systems working properly.

What is adaptive cruise control calibration?

Adaptive Cruise Control calibration takes place when the camera, lidar, and radar sensors that inform your vehicle’s actions are re-aligned to improve or re-establish sensor accuracy.

Getting a car calibrated takes drivers knowing about it and recognizing the warning signs.

ACC Calibration Warnings for Drivers

For drivers, the biggest sign that you need a car calibration is a recent collision. Other circumstances that necessitate Adaptive Cruise Control calibration include any time you repair or replace something nearby the location of a sensor. Another sign would be an overly sensitive ACC system, even when you have changed the settings (where possible). Here are some related warning messages that may signal it’s time to get an ADAS calibration:

Adaptive cruise control sensor blocked
Adaptive cruise control failure
Adaptive cruise control temporarily unavailable

ADAS Calibration for Auto Shops

When a car comes into the shop, techs need to know when to order or perform ADAS calibrations . They also need to understand their importance. If calibrated incorrectly, ACC systems may have following distance settings that drivers aren’t used to. They can also make the systems overly sensitive, or not sensitive enough.

Every new model year brings more and more ADAS-equipped vehicles to the streets. Cars need to be calibrated after collisions, and any repairs that may affect sensor alignment. If you want to capitalize on this impending influx of needed calibrations, Car ADAS Solutions can help. We are at the forefront of the ADAS calibration services industry. We provide turnkey ADAS calibration solutions with framework, specialty software, training, and support, built-in. Contact Car ADAS Solutions today !

Additional ACC Resources:

Cars with Adaptive Cruise Control – Car and Driver
10 Best Cars with Adaptive Cruise Control – TrueCar
Adaptive Cruise Control – MyCarDoesWhat.org

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What is toyota dynamic radar cruise control (drcc).

Here is one feature I guarantee: once you start using it, you will be spoiled when driving long distances and even daily use. Toyota’s Dynamic Radar Cruise Control has made it easy to navigate longer trips because its set-it-and-forget-it cruising feature is intuitive and convenient.

DRCC is a radar adaptive cruise control that works based on the preceding vehicle in front of you to maintain a preset distance and cruising speed above 20 mph.

How does toyota's dynamic radar cruise control work.

DRCC is an adaptive cruise control system that uses a millimeter wave radar to detect vehicles ahead of the driver. The system allows the driver to enter one of four preset distances to keep the vehicle cruising at a speed set by the driver above 20 miles per hour.

The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control system allows a driver to use one of three preset distances from the vehicle ahead of the driver if the vehicle is traveling 20 mph or more.

Only in some Toyota vehicles can you toggle between the Standard Cruise Control mode versus the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which is the Adaptive mode.

Note: It is always the driver’s responsibility; only depend on the system partially.

How to use the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

You will have one of two DRCC system interfaces on most Toyota vehicles. First, you have the Cruise Control on the right-hand side of the steering wheel on a stem, with the on and off switch on the end of the stem. Second, you will have an on and off button on the right-hand side of the steering wheel to engage the system.

DRCC Stem Cruise Control

To activate the stem cruise control, ensure the button on the end of the stem has been depressed and the cruise control light appears on the dashboard or within the multi-information display.
Once you reach your cruising speed, press DOWN on the stem towards the vehicle’s floor. By default, the vehicle will be set at the furthest vehicle distance setting, three or four, based on your vehicle.
Use the distance button to adjust to the “following distance” preset if you would like to ride closer to the preceding vehicle in front of you.
Hold the cruise stem UP towards the vehicle’s ceiling to increase your set speed, or hold the stem DOWN to decrease your speed.
Pull the stem towards you to cancel the cruise control and enter coast mode, or press the brake pedal.
To Re-engage, pull the stem UP to RESUME the cruise control and return to the speed previously set.

To activate the DRCC mounted on the steering wheel:

Locate and push the button with a speedometer icon and the word “mode” below it.
Toggle this button to switch from standard Cruise Control mode to Adaptive Cruise Control. The Multi-Informational Display (MID) will display the mode you have entered.
Ensure the cruise control light stays illuminated, verifying this system is still active.
Reach your desired speed and use the SET button; in some vehicles, the set button appears with a car between two lane markers and the speedometer icon below.
To toggle between the preset distances, use the button with a car and three bars below it. Each button press will decrease the preset distance to follow the preceding vehicle in front of you more closely until cycling back to the furthest distance setting.
The +RES/- button will increase your speed when pressing the +RES and decrease when pressing the – button.
Just one press will increase or decrease by a mile per hour.
Holding either button will increase or reduce the rate of speed more dramatically.
You will enter a coast mode with the cancel button or hit the brake pedal.

Additional DRCC Setting

On some vehicles, you can make fine-tune adjustments to the DRCC. To do so, use the Direction pad on the left side of the steering wheel.

Use the Direction pad to navigate to the SETTINGS menu.
Navigate to the DRCC settings.
Acceleration Setting, choose your preset level of acceleration.
Guide message on or off
Curve Speed Reduction, OFF, Low, Mid, or High.
Press the Back button to return to the previous menu.

Full-Speed Range DRCC vs. Standard DRCC

The Full-Speed Range DRCC works with the Toyota Pre-Collision System to make driving highly convenient. This system is designed to work in a broader speed range than the standard DRCC.

The system uses low-speed following under certain circumstances and intuitive braking to help avoid colliding with preceding vehicles. The automatic braking features help slow down the vehicle as you head into traffic and alert you via the collision warning system controlled by the Toyota Pre-Collision System .

Full-Speed Range is an enhanced version of DRCC that has improved vehicle detection, providing more natural, smoother speed adjustments. Plus, a fourth preset distance setting vs. the three is now standard in this updated system.

Benefits of Toyota Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

Reduced Driver Fatigue: By maintaining a set speed and distance from the car in front, DRCC allows drivers to relax a bit more on long journeys, reducing fatigue.

Enhanced Safety: DRCC adjusts your speed to maintain a safe following distance, reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions.

Adaptive Speed Control: Unlike standard cruise control, DRCC can automatically adjust the vehicle’s speed based on the traffic conditions.

Convenience: DRCC adds a layer of convenience for highway driving or when you’re in stop-and-go traffic, making the driving experience more comfortable.

Improved Fuel Efficiency: When you maintain a consistent speed using smooth acceleration and deceleration patterns, DRCC can improve your fuel efficiency.

Reduced Cognitive Load: The system takes over adjusting speed and maintaining distance, allowing drivers to focus on other aspects of driving, such as steering and observing road conditions.

Ease of Use: Generally, DRCC is user-friendly and easy to engage/disengage, making it accessible even for those unfamiliar with advanced car technologies.

Enhanced Confidence: Knowing that the vehicle has an additional layer of safety can provide drivers with greater peace of mind, especially in challenging driving conditions.

Future-proof: As vehicle technologies advance, features like DRCC are likely to receive Over-The-Air updates or work in conjunction with other evolving technologies, making the car more adaptable for the future.

Integration with Other Safety Systems: As part of the Toyota Safety Sense program, DRCC complements other safety features for a holistic approach to road safety. One of these features is Lane Tracing Assist, which helps keep a vehicle centered in its lane, even while you drive on bending roads.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0

Now standard across the lineup are Blind Spot Monitors (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) for a safer, more convenient driving experience. New Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) facilitates stop-and-go driving on congested roads by controlling acceleration, braking, and steering within a speed range of 0 to 25 mph. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) is an advanced suite of safety features designed to keep drivers and passengers safer on the road. These innovative technologies help avoid accidents altogether. Here is a list of components within the suite:

Pre-Collision System (PCS) : Detects vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, providing warnings and emergency braking if needed.
Lane Departure Alert (LDA) : Warns drivers of unintentional lane departure and may provide corrective steering.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) : Maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, adjusting speed accordingly.
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) : Keeps the vehicle centered in its lane using lane markers and preceding vehicles.
Automatic High Beams (AHB) : Automatically switches between high and low beams based on surrounding traffic.
Road Sign Assist (RSA) : Detects and displays road signs to enhance driver awareness.
Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) : Provides braking or steering support to maintain distance and stay in lane.

Recap of Toyota DRCC

DRCC can be very beneficial in everyday use; even with heavy traffic, it can assist drivers and take some of the stress of driving off you. It’s simple to set up and fully customizable if you change your mind or need to cruise at much lower speeds, like going through a small town.

I use this feature to stay under the speed limit as an extra precaution to avoid getting a ticket.

As always, while DRCC offers numerous benefits, it’s not a substitute for attentive driving. It’s crucial to remain fully focused on the road and be prepared to take control of the vehicle at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

DRCC is a feature that automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed to maintain a preset following distance from the car ahead. It enhances safety, reduces driver fatigue, and offers added convenience, especially during long drives or in stop-and-go traffic.

Most 2023 Toyota models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense, which has Dynamic Radar Cruise Control or the upgraded version of the Full-Speed Range DRCC. However, the only vehicle not included is the GR Supra. Visit https://www.toyota.com/safety-sense/ , and you can enter your vehicle’s year and model for more details if DRCC is on your particular vehicle.

DRCC automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed to maintain a set distance from the car in front. Full-Speed Range DRCC offers the same features but can bring your vehicle to a complete stop and resume speed again, making it more suitable for stop-and-go traffic conditions.

To turn on Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, you typically press the cruise control button on the steering wheel, then set your desired speed and the following distance using the steering wheel controls. Also, above are more detailed instructions on how to use the DRCC. *Always refer to your vehicle’s manual for specific instructions.

“DRCC Unavailable” usually indicates that the system cannot function properly at the moment. This could be due to sensor issues, poor weather conditions, or other factors. On Toyota vehicles, the radar sensor is behind the Toyota emblem; a glassy-looking plastic cover in front is usually it. Try cleaning this area free of bugs and debris. It can also be a rectangular plastic window built within the grille of Toyota trucks. *Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or see your local dealer.

Note: Always refer to the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for more detailed information about your specific vehicle. Safe driving practices should always be followed. For more details, contact your local Toyota Dealer or visit Toyota.com .

Cedric Jackson

Cedric is a Sales Pro with 20+ years of experience. He is currently a Sales Consultant at Toyota of Riverside. He aims to share his passion for product knowledge of the Toyota brand here on his blog. Cedric writes content here and produces short-form videos on YouTube , Instagram & TicTok . Connect with him here or on all social media @ cedricthecarguy 🙏🏾🤙🏾

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Weather: Your family is piled into the Toyota Sienna heading down to Grandma’s for Christmas. But a snowstorm hits and ice builds up on your minivan, blocking the DRCC receptors.
Dirt: You just took your Toyota Highlander on the camping trip of a lifetime. But you'll need a major car wash to remove all the dirt smeared on the DRCC receptors—and the rest of the SUV, for that matter.
Bugs: After a coast-to-coast road trip in your Toyota Camry , it looks like a million bugs are caked onto the front end. But it only takes a few to block the DRCC receptors.

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dynamic cruise control vs. adaptive cruise control

Discussion in ' Prime Technical Discussion ' started by rschlegel , Jul 16, 2019 .

adaptive cruise control
dynamic cruise

rschlegel Junior Member

How much better does the dynamic cruise control work on the new Prime vs. the adaptive cruise on the 2017 Prime? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Salamander_King Senior Member

Aren't they the same thing???

jb in NE Senior Member

I believe they are, but perhaps somebody has owned one of each and can comment on any differences.

NSXT Active Member

Honda Clarity ACC does more. It follows the car ahead to a fully stop. It will pick up the speed by itself from zero when it is moving again without you doing anything. I have tried in my Prime but I need to push the gas pedal to resume unless I was not patient enough. I read somewhere now DRCC has full speed for select model which can do the same as Honda ACC.

mr88cet Senior Member

NSXT said: ↑ Honda Clarity ACC does more. It follows the car ahead to a fully stop. It will pick up the speed by itself from zero when it is moving again without you doing anything. I have tried in my Prime but I need to push the gas pedal to resume unless I was not patient enough. I read somewhere now DRCC has full speed for select model which can do the same as Honda ACC. Click to expand...

CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

You can also briefly lift the cruise control stalk (as if you wanted to increase the cruise control set speed), to get going again.

Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Staff Member

It’s the same thing. All Primes have full speed radar cruise control (so it goes down to 0). Adaptive cruise control is the umbrella or generic name for this feature. Each company has their own name.

Tideland Prius said: ↑ Adaptive cruise control is the umbrella or generic name for this feature. Each company has their own name. Click to expand...

mr88cet said: ↑ To me, that just sounds like two companies choosing different acronyms, and slightly different feature sets, for what is fundamentally the same capability. So, if Toyota were to remove the requirement that we tap the gas after DRCC has taken the car to a stop, there wouldn’t likely change the name of that feature to ACC. I presume that Toyota requires us to tap the gas as a perceived safety measure. That is, to protect against it crashing into the car ahead in the event that its radar somehow loses the car in from of it (which I have seen it do, strangely!). Click to expand...

Like AEB... there's PCS, PRE-SAFE, CMBS, FCW

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Just wanted to chime in that although the cruise control will slow the vehicle to a stop, it does so at the very last moment akin to an emergency stop when the driver is not putting on the brakes. Even when at the furthest distance setting, it fails to read the cars ahead speed. It will often accelerate in an attempt to bring the car to cruise speed, then brake heavy to slow down. Complete fail from Toyota. This speed and stop and speed and stop process contributes to greater traffic.

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Everything to Know About The BMW Dynamic Cruise Control

Cruise controls were once reserved for only selected models of BMW. Less fortunate drivers had to keep their tired eyes and limbs fixed on the road and the pedals for long hours. These fatigued drivers were the cause of many accidents. So, automakers, like BMW and Toyota, started adding the feature to more of their cars.

The BMW dynamic cruise control is an improvement over the traditional system. Traditional cruise control can only do so much as keep your vehicle going at a preset speed. Meanwhile, the dynamic version can detect other vehicles in front of you and road curves and react accordingly.

Most drivers are familiar with the traditional version of cruise control. The dynamic one might seem somewhat confusing to them. The following discussion will hopefully clear things up.

1.1 Difference With Conventional Cruise Control
1.2 How It Works?
2 How do I know if my BMW has dynamic cruise control?
3.1 Step 1: Turning On the Control
3.2 Step 2: Set Your Speed
3.3 Step 3: Distance Setting
3.4 Step 4: Speed Increments
3.5 Step 5: Cancel and Resume
4.1 How do I change from regular cruise control to dynamic cruise control?
4.2 How much does dynamic cruise control cost?
4.3 Does adaptive cruise control apply brakes?
4.4 Can you add adaptive cruise control after purchase?
5 Conclusion

What is BMW Dynamic Cruise Control?

In conventional cruise control , you set the vehicle to a certain speed. Your car will then automatically accelerate up to that speed and maintain it. The benefit is that the foot you keep on the gas pedal can get some rest. Also, as the car maintains the preset speed, it can save you from speeding tickets.

Difference With Conventional Cruise Control

However, conventional cruise control doesn’t have the necessary technology to adjust your car according to upcoming obstacles. So, you must still watch out for another vehicle appearing or the road curving abruptly.

This is where Dynamic cruise control offers an improvement. Besides setting a speed, you can also set the following distance on your BMW cruise control.

When you are speeding across an open highway, the car will normally continue at its set speed. But your BMW will automatically slow down as soon as another vehicle or obstacle appears. When the obstacle moves away, your car will accelerate on its own and reach the preset speed again.

How It Works?

Three components work in concert to make dynamic cruise control possible. Firstly, there is the radar system. Your dynamic cruise control will shoot radar waves from the car. These waves reflect off the object in front of the vehicle and return to the car.

Secondly, there is the sensor system. This system can receive the radar signals that come back from the objects and make necessary adjustments. There are two kinds of sensors in dynamic cruise control- Speed sensors and Distance Sensors.

The Distance sensors keep track of the gap between your car and an upcoming obstacle based on the signals it receives. Meanwhile, speed sensors decelerate your vehicle when the gap is shorter than the following distance. Similarly, it will adjust to a faster speed when the path clears up.

The third component is the longitudinal controller. It is kind of like a computer that collects information from the radar and sensor systems. In light of that information, it sends appropriate command signals to the engine to slow down or accelerate the car.

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How do I know if my BMW has dynamic cruise control?

Almost all the newer BMW models have dynamic cruise controls. Examining the steering wheel is the simplest way to tell if your car has cruise control.

Cars with dynamic cruise control will have 5-6 buttons on the left panel of the steering wheel. Depending on the specific BMW model the number and orientation of this switch might vary.

Here’s a table with all the BMW models that have dynamic cruise control-

How To Use The BMW Dynamic Cruise Control?

Renowned automakers like BMW are always trying to improve their vehicles in the next model. Therefore, slight differences in the cruise control panel on your steering wheel might exist.

However, almost all the systems have some things in common. For instance, you will always find the dynamic cruise control panel on the left side of the steering wheel. There are also various other similarities, based on which you can follow the steps below to operate the cruise control-

Step 1: Turning On the Control

You can turn on your cruise control by pressing the assisted drive button. You can identify it from the car-and-gauge drawing on it. You will notice a green sign (cruise control gauge) on the digital cluster when the system turns on.

Step 2: Set Your Speed

Next, you will set your speed and the following distance. The ‘Set’ button allows you to determine your constant speed. Dynamic cruise controls also have a speed limit assistant. You can use it to ensure the car is within your desired speed at all zones.

Step 3: Distance Setting

The digital cluster will show several lines indicating distance. Each line refers to one car length. You can use the distance buttons to reduce or increase the number of this line. The distance buttons are marked with plus and minus signs and function accordingly.

Suppose you set the following distance to two lines. In that case, your car will decelerate when you are two car lengths away from an obstacle. Whenever an obstacle appears ahead, the instrument cluster will show a sign which looks like a car.

Step 4: Speed Increments

Nesting between the distance control button is the rocker switch. It is smaller and also has plus and minus markings. It almost feels like a volume up and down button on audio devices. You can use this switch to increase the set speed. BMW allows speed increments of one and five mph.

Step 5: Cancel and Resume

You can press the cancel button to turn off the dynamic cruise control in your car. The same happens when you hit the brakes. Press the resume button to return to the assisted driving mode at your preferred set speed and following distance.

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After the above discussion, Dynamic Cruise Control might not seem confusing. But we are happy to answer any more questions you might have.

How do I change from regular cruise control to dynamic cruise control?

If your car has both controls, you can press the Cancel button for several seconds. This will switch between modes. Also, the main difference between regular and dynamic is in distance control. So, as soon as you activate the distance button, you enter the dynamic mode.

How much does dynamic cruise control cost?

The dynamic cruise controls with top-notch technology and capabilities will cost around 2000-2500 dollars. However, you can get more basic and less capable systems at around 500 dollars (equipment plus labor costs).

Does adaptive cruise control apply brakes?

The distance and speed control features allow the adaptive cruise control to apply some amount of braking. It usually does this when encountering a traffic jam or a non-moving obstacle.

Can you add adaptive cruise control after purchase?

You can buy adaptive cruise control kits and add them to your car. However, your BMW must fulfill the design and technological requirements for the addition of this kit. Kits range from 250$ to 4000$ in price, and you will need automotive experts for the installation job.

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Conclusion

The BMW dynamic cruise control makes the road safer for everyone. It also reduces fatigue and stress on long road trips. So, if your car doesn’t have one, it’s worth spending thousands of dollars on installation. However, the recommended action is to buy a car with dynamic cruise control, to begin with.

Turn off cruise control on busy local streets. These roads are unpredictable; another vehicle or person can come before your car at any time. Driving at a preset speed in this scenario is dangerous.

Plus, knowing that you are in assisted driving mode will make you relax and reduce your mental alertness. So, reserve cruise control only for the highways.

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RAV4.5 Fifth Generation (2019+ Models)
4.5 RAV4 Prime

"Dynamic Radar Cruise Control" vs "Full Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control"

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Has anyone tried their cruise control in a traffic jam, in an SE? (RAV4 SE Prime, that is.) Some of the Toyota sales information seem to suggest that the SE has " Dynamic Radar Cruise Control", which, according to Toyota, does not work below 25mph. Meanwhile, the XSE is supposed to have the full range system, which works from 0 mph. But Toyota does not seem to be consistent about this in their marketing materials. My Prius apparently has full range, and now that I've tried it, I'd hate to live without it.

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
Automatic High Beams

I'm certain that Toyota was calling them out separately, but now I cannot find it. The RAV4 prime keeps appearing and disappearing on the website as well. I guess they are still updating stuff. And I suppose it has to all be different in different countries. Fun for the web page managers.

I'll try to experiment with this on my drive home today. I'll try to engage at below 25 mph, and i'll try to let the dynamic cruise control bring me to a stop, and see if it accelerates from the stop after.

Keep in mind you cannot set speed bellow 19 mph, but it will come to a complete stop if the car ahead of you.

I have used the dynamic cruise control on my SE down to full stop and nearly full stop. If it comes to a full stop you have to touch the gas pedal to get underway again, but you'll still be in cruise control mode. If it doesn't quite come to a full stop it will automatically pick up speed again with the car ahead. It works in the <19 MPH range if traffic flow takes you down there from a higher speed, but I don't think you can engage it under 19 MPH if it wasn't on in the first place.

Actually, if you come to a stop, you have a few seconds for the traffic to get moving and the car will accelerate again, but after 3 seconds I think, it "locks" and requires tapping the gas or pressing "resume"

The one thing that Toyota is not doing good with DCC is going down the hill with no cars ahead of you, it won't keep your speed at all

We are talking about different things. I am taking about modern DCC only (not the legacy constant speed CC) the car will stay at set speed when you are going down the hill AND no vehicle ahead of you. (If you approach vehicle ahead it will slow you down as expected with DCC.) Both my 2020 Toyotas can't handle that scenario down the hill. 2020 Ford can.

Correct. And IF your Rav4 has DDC, then your Rav4 has BOTH DCC (with radar "on") AND constant speed CC (with radar "off"). I just don't think the Rav4 constant speed CC will slow the vehicle completely on a long steep downhill.

My 2017 prius prime perfectly holds the speed going downhill with cruise control set....and will slow down if there is a slower car ahead.

None of my cars before were keeping speed downhill with constant CC, but again that's not what we are talking here. I expected that modern DCC in Toyota would hold the speed down the hill but apparently they didn't think of that. I don't have experience with any other automaker's DCC besides Toyota and Ford. Although my guess Tesla supports it.

I guess I'm the lucky one.....since my prius prime does hold the speed going downhill in cruise control....😀

I'm pretty sure mine is exactly the same as yours. (also a PP) I have also wondered if the brake lights go on, as it can stop pretty damn quickly when using the cruise control. Or if it's even using the disk brakes, vs tons of regen. Either way, it stops fast enough that I hope it's using the brake lights.

Your mean “since my Prius prime holds the speed going downhill in ( Dynamic) Cruise Control ...”. Right?

Correct, dynamic cruise control

I use dynamic cruise every day to and from work. Freeway off ramps I have left dynamic cruise on and it tracked the car in front of me down to a complete stop. I never touched the brake and when the car took off in front of me so did my Rav 4 Prime SE I usually turn off cruise when I exit the freeway. Cars behind you expect you to accelerate quicker and follow the car in front of you closer so more cars get through the light. Dynamic cruise is great in my opinion on the freeway but less impressive when you exit the freeway and in the lane where cars merge onto the freeway that is why I pick the middle freeway lane and just let the cruise do it’s thing. I have even let go of the wheel and it tracks but will soon tell you to take hold of the wheel.

I had my cruise set at 74 mph and at the exit ramp off the freeway it tracked down to a stop and when the car in front of me started to move when the light turned green my Rav 4 SE began to accelerate. The start was slow and I ended up turning it off because the car behind me got impatient. Russ

RussC said: I had my cruise set at 74 mph and at the exit ramp off the freeway it tracked down to a stop and when the car in front of me started to move when the light turned green my Rav 4 SE began to accelerate. The start was slow and I ended up turning it off because the car behind me got impatient. Russ Click to expand...

I have a 17 CRV and it does the same thing at a stop light. IMHO, a simple fix. Don't turn the DCC off, just step on the throttle to get it going Then the system kicks in and away you go.

I read on the Swedespeed forum a year or two ago that owners of current-generation Volvos were seeing much higher/faster brake-pad wear/degradation when using adaptive cruise control regularly.

Volvo doesn’t have a electric motor to slow the car down right ?

I stopped using cruise while in EV because it kicks on the gas engine if you slow down rapidly due to slow traffic ahead of your automobile.

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Available Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) lets you maintain a preset speed and distance from the vehicle ahead. 10 ACC with Stop-and-Go can even help you come to a complete stop. *If the vehicle is stopped for more than three seconds, the driver must intervene and press the "RES" button or accelerator pedal to resume system operation.
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Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
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What is Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and How Does it Work?
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PDF Robust cooperative adaptive cruise control design and implementation
model learning and control of complex distributed systems. This paper is a revised and expanded version of a paper entitled 'Robust cooperative adaptive cruise control design for connected vehicles' presented at Proceedings of the ASME 2015 Dynamic Systems and Control Conference, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 28-30 October 2015. 1 Introduction