Cruise Control Query - Manual Gears

**Zenerdiode** · 08-01-2011,02:05 AM

The clutch pedal has a position sensor - rather than a switch, so now the car knows how far the clutch is depressed. Used for Hill Hold/Electric handbrake release and cruise control.

Clutch down will hold Cruise Control (for changing gear) but clutch up in neutral will release Cruise Control - the engine senses that no torque is being demanded.

**rd1** · 08-01-2011,01:46 PM

You could also argue that its preventing excessive wear on the gearbox as modern teaching is to not use the gears to slow down but only the brakes.

I took the IAM test a couple of years ago and found it very difficult to get out of my old habit of occasionally slowing by changing gear. Now trying to observe the IAM driving style, I like the cruise/clutch set up on the B8.

**ScottyUK** · 08-01-2011,10:48 PM

I can't see IAM every being compatible with Cruise Control

**Cavokk** · 09-01-2011,08:42 PM

Actually there is more to the behaviour of the cruisecontrol on th b8 a4.

Try to set it at ex 60 mph an then later on when you have stoped for the red light - prees resume when you are at slow speed, - then the cc will happily accelerate you up in the gears and you only have to stear and press cluch for changing the gears

Cheers

C

**Jason.S** · 09-01-2011,10:53 PM

But surely the revs rise as you put your foot on the clutch to change gear if its holding the throttle position??

**ScottyUK** · 10-01-2011,12:50 AM

Nope - remember the throttle's fly by wire of the computer takes care of it.

**Zafi** · 10-01-2011,01:11 AM

Its also the first car I have driven where the cruise control applies the brakes to keep the speed constant when going down a hill.

I thought it had amazing engine braking until I saw the brake light reflected in the rear window

**Jason.S** · 10-01-2011,01:22 AM

Originally Posted by Zafi

Its also the first car I have driven where the cruise control applies the brakes to keep the speed constant when going down a hill.

I thought it had amazing engine braking until I saw the brake light reflected in the rear window

Doesnt all cruise work that way though?

**johnloaderuk** · 10-01-2011,07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Jason.S

Doesnt all cruise work that way though?

Not at all. I had a 2008 A6 which braked with cruise on to stop speed increasing when going downhill etc, now have a 2010 Passat which doesn't, so it will pick up speed if the hill is steep and/or long enough.

**ScottyUK** · 10-01-2011,11:06 AM

The braking caught me out the first time it happened. A bit of surprise when the previous two Audi's relied on engine braking.

Zafi -you can see the brake light reflected in your rear window? Is that bleed from the high level brake light? That should be sealed around the edge.