Re: Speed limiters

On Sat, 6 Jul 2024 09:59:13 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

Here, cruise control (once enabled) maintains the set speed -- accelerating
to overcome added drag/load and using the engine for braking when the terrain
would have the vehicle accelerating of its own accord.  The driver can always
coerce the vehicle to higher speeds (and, tapping the brake in any way will
automatically disengage the control -- though leave the setpoint intact).

Yes, that's how it works in the normal cruise control mode.

Does the second mode NOT maintain speed but, rather, just act as a warning
mechanism?

Yes, that's correct. It allows me to let off the gas, or even brake,
when approaching a tight corner.

So, you have to call for *hard* acceleration to overcome its setting.

Yes, as an alternative to pressing the button to turn it off, of
course. I assume it is intended as a safety or emergency feature.
Imagine you are starting to overtake and forgot that you have the
limiter engaged. Maybe you will slightly panic and not think to press
the button or maybe not be able to find the button quickly enough. You
can just "floor it" and off it goes instantly.

I can increase the vehicle's speed beyond the setpoint with any
pressure on the accelerator; letting up on it will bring the car back to
the setpoint (using engine braking).

Yes, in normal cruise control mode, that's how mine also works. Mine
will even engage the friction brakes if the speed is much over the set
speed.

The article referenced "new regulations" that will require the feature to
be reenabled, by default, with each start of the vehicle.

I don't doubt that it will happen in the future. Laws are governed
mostly by politics and bureaucracy, and only very little by science.

Most US cars won't allow the cruise control to be set below, e.g., 40MPH.
I think the reasoning is that you should be actively controling the
vehicle in those settings where regulators have decided the speed limit
should be low.

Sounds like a terrible idea to me. Keeping a very low speed is
actually quite difficult, and requires some attention. I'd rather
spend that attention on the traffic situation around me.
--
RoRo