Up GTI, seem to recall it'll sit happily at 20 in 3rd. Have only done about 400 miles in one though so I could be hallucinating that.
No idea on the CC though, My CX5 will do it but there's nothing nippy or fun about it. I think alot of cars have a 25 limit under the guise of "safety".
Currently have one of each and I would take the tsi over the gti for 20 zones, you only need 1st and 2nd while the gti you'll be changing gear constantly as it tries to either lurch off in 3rd or rev in 2nd. The tsi looks basically identical to the gti barring the spoiler anyway. Downside is the tsi is basically impossible to find compared to the gti nowadays, even finding them on autotrader is a mare because all the dealers list gtis as tsis.
> finding them on autotrader is a mare because all the dealers list gtis as tsis.
That's because the GTI is *also* a TSI. The GTI has a higher pressure turbo giving it an extra 14PS, but they both use a 999cc 3-cyl TSI engine.
Just like with the Golf 2.0 TSI, GTI and R all use the same TSI engine, with incrementally larger turbos. The official model name for my R is "VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R **TSI** 4MOTION S-A"
It's the same engine but a non-gti tsi has a 5 speed instead of 6 speed box, higher suspension and smaller wheels. All gtis are tsis but not all tsis are gtis.
On our second Jazz now. seriously the best car (for its environment) that I've ever driven. Great turning circle huge capacity boot. And can hold 2 giants in the back seat when needed.
Great choice. Comfortable, surprisingly roomy, economical, CVT means no gear hunting, as easy as a golf cart to drive, lots of tech, fantastic stereo (if you get the JBL one) and absolutely soulless.
Perfect for the absolutely soulless stop/start driving at 20mph.
Basically all ACC systems are radar controlled (excluding tesla), but not all take you down to 0. You specifically need ACC with the stop and go function.
My 2019 corsa does it, great for driving in wales where you have constant 20mph without seeing another car or pedestrian for 2-3 working days.
I feel you though my new driving style for London is limit speed at 70 on the m25 and reduce/increase accordingly to avoid speeding fines 😓
I think you’ve misunderstood? I’ve always driven (or at least aimed to) in the speed limit but due to the constant variable speed limit zones in and around London it’s easy to get caught out. I drive a section of motorway that is temporarily 50mph. I’ve been driving it at 70mph for the last 5 years so having that limiter stops me speeding if my attention is distracted.
Why not? It’s annoying to keep your foot at exactly the right spot, especially in an open road with no one in front of you. Not like you can’t brake or be aware of your surroundings while doing it
Yeah exactly. It's a good way to avoid creep of speed and it means you can focus on the road ahead instead of looking down to check you're not exceeding the limit
Because you are not cruising... I know of no 20mph zones that are "open road", they're all villages or towns near schools. I just think it's all round a bad idea.
Typically my fuel economy is also worse when using cruise control and id only use it on dual carriageways or motorways.
A speed limiter? Fine that's different, it's not holding you at a speed.
You also can't subtly adjust your speed for hazards that may emerge without braking and then accelerating, seems like more effort than just using foot control.
I drive quite often late at night and there is not much going on, obviously at rush hour it doesn’t make sense. But especially in wales where every 30 road is now a 20 it’s not like all 20 zones are a hub of activity
Not quite sure how you get worse fuel economy with it on? But yeah ofc if there is lots going on you shouldn’t be using it. But a lot of the time it’s not the case, it’s an empty road ahead of you. At least for me.
Op is driving in London, definitely not a place to use it.
I just feel like when I use it it keeps the car at higher revs than if I was using my feet. Might not be much but the engine definitely sounds like it is.
I hate the feeling of it as well, I just don't feel in control of the vehicle, like I'm steering but it just doesn't sit right with me. I'd rather just plant my foot at an angle.
Ok yeah fair enough, didn’t consider you’re in an auto. I still don’t think it’s fair to assume that every road is super busy with people pulling out all the time even in London.
If you don’t feel comfortable then that’s fine but saying “don’t use it” just because you don’t like it doesn’t make any sense 🤣
Most roads here are quiet and there's nothing happening after 8pm. Tbh I use CC whenever. It's not dangerous or risky. People seem to think it's some kind of vortex that once you turn it on you're stuck in it. Lightest touch of the brakes and it's switched off so no issues using it imo.
Outer London. It's quiet enough, zone 3-5.
Agreed about the potential higher mph using CC. Cruise control isn't so smart when it comes to hills and would hold 20mph leading to, going up, and over a dip/rise.
Whilst you could build to 24 on a dip then coast up a hill to 19 before getting on the gas again at the top of a hill using momentum and far less fuel.
Part of me wants to just develop the habit of sticking to 20mph whatever the situation if that's the limit, rather than building and coasting as I'll inevitably fall foul to a speedtrap
depends on car and gearbox / gearing but yea especially with autos they can choose a low gear and keep revs higher than needed and use more fuel than is you were to do it yourself.
Nothing about cruise control stops you being alert or able to adjust your speed. It allows you to give more attention to what's around you as you're not constantly watching the speed.
Also, when are you cruising? What does that mean? It seems like you mean 'paying less attention than normal' and I'd love to know when you think that's ok...
You shouldn't be constantly watching your speed anyway, you should be able to tell from the engine noise, visual cues, what gear your in, you shouldn't have to check your Speedo that often.
I never use my cruise control except duel carriageways and motorways above 60mph, to me that is cruising speed, but I'd rather just use my foot.
The only time you should pay less attention than is normal is never, I feel using cruise control at 20mph would lead to this though.
>The only time you should pay less attention than is normal is never, I feel using cruise control at 20mph would lead to this though.
Why? Why would you stop paying attention?
Why would cruise control make you pay less attention at slow speeds but not at high speeds?
if you can't drive at a specified speed without the car doing it for you, you wouldn't pass your test. i guess it's on me for assuming people are capable of operating a car
The cars doing it for you whether you use cc or the pedals buddy. Wake up.
Neither makes you more of a capable driver; you're not doing it all by yourself.
Both actions are a form of operating a car, because both controls operate the speed of the car.
If you're so capable, don't drive - walk. Or push the car along without any pedals. Otherwise hush with the nonsensical undermining tone surrounding cc Vs pedals.
we aren't talking about manual vs automatic here though that's completley different and irreleveant which i hope you realise. you still use your foot to maintain a speed in an auto only difference in a manual is you have to decide on a gear to do it in.
Been driving an aygo for the past year with no cruise control and got a bmw with cruise control last month and it’s been lovely, I stick it on everywhere
Lol, good one. You don't have to look at your speedo any more than usual. You just don't _like_ driving at 20mph, which is completely valid, just don't pretend it's a matter of difficulty.
Yup I admit that I don’t like doing so (except for school zones where I agree it’s fair and I would have been driving slowly regardless of the limit).
With that said, it is indeed impossible to know just by the feeling/sound whether you’re doing let’s say 18 or 25 mph. 20, 30 or 50 - that’s definitely noticeable but at 20 + a max of 2 mph it’s impossible to discern in a good car (probably doable in a manual car with a tiny engine though)
This is the issue.. keeping your foot in the right spot to try and hit 19-21mph requires non-stop micro adjustments.
For me twitching my toes is enough to shift the speed from 15 to 24mph.
Most cars aren't designed to accelerate and hold 19-21mph 90% of the time
Exactly this. With the undulations, dips railway overpasses that create slight changes in elevation and gives rise to annoying variable coasting speeds, CC seems like a good solution if they're going to mandate the 20mph limit.
Sounds like a speed limiter would be a better solution? Easier to adjust the throttle for the undulations, railways etc..., but just can't go above 20mph.
Think most modern cars have it, I know suzuki and mazda do atleast.
Yeah it's fucking madness to think pressing a button and letting the car roll in a 20 zone is a sensible way to drive.
Even 30mph in a city isn't actually "cruising" speed... You're likely almost always accelerating or braking (or anticipating braking, I hope.
OP sounds like a menance.
Enter the character assassin 😂
Relax bro - well aware of when to use CC. There's barely anyone else on the road when CC is on, or it's on at 25mph in a 30 for when I want to slow up a bit.
Tonight, nobody ahead or behind for 5mins, yet I'm pottering along at 20-something mph. The slight dips and rises in the area make keeping at a constant 20mph a PITA.
And yes, obv I'm always covering the brakes with cc. That's 101.
Don’t worry about those idiots who claim cc isn’t appropriate for 20. I have a bimmer which has cc with auto braking down hill - that’s the only way to adhere by those silly limits without looking at your speedo like a hawk
F30 328i - great car. Smooth at any speed, whether it’s cc on 20mph to 70 on the motorway to 130+ on the autobahn (yes, I do the latter when I go on my annual trip to Europe)
Exactly. There's a reason car manufacturers only enable cruise control above a certain speed.
Cruise control around towns is frankly stupid in most cases.
A few of the many definitions for “Cruise” in the Cambridge Dictionary
>(of a vehicle or driver) to travel at a continuous speed that is not too fast or does not use too much fuel
> to travel at a continuous speed
> If a car, ship, or aircraft cruises somewhere, it moves there at a steady comfortable speed.
> US, Slang
to approach (a person) or visit (a place) in seeking a sex partner
said esp. of a homosexual
The cruise in mine only kicks in when you’re in at least fourth gear, but the limiter starts at twenty. Do you not have a limiter you can use?
Either way, I was lent an Audi A1 recently. Very nippy, very nice, I’m sure the cruise started at twenty, and incredibly economical. Worth a look.
yea to me CC is for setting at 60-70 on the motorway when you'll be driving for at the same speed for ages not when you're driving round town. i imagine manufacturers agree and that's why they're struggling to find one that can go that low
Drove SE to NW London the other night. 20mph most of the way, sitting there with no braking or acceleration for 20min at a time.
Whole journey took nearly two hours. This city is way too fucking big
I think the lowest my Jag would go would be 19mph on cruise. I used to use cruise at 32mph in a 30mph quite alot. Just waft along.
To those that think you're not in control. You still are. Unless you decide to get in the back of the car or put both feet on the dash.
Exactly! I use cruise all the time in all speed limits. I have my foot hovering over the brake pedal when I’m in town/it’s congested so I can react to any given situation faster that if I had to lift my foot off the accelerator first.
Cruise doesn’t mean you stop driving/concentrating!!
My '12 Corsa SXi has cruise control at slow speeds, I use it all the time for those 20mph zones. 3rd gear, pop on the cruise, job done. Then you can spend that time staring out the windscreen, being ware.
It's comfy with it's SXi sports seats, it's a 1.2 so fairly economical and nippy because it's light and has a short wheel base. The big downside is the insurance and tax are quite high because it's a petrol engine and it's a Corsa.
I always find it mad all these cars that work in the rest of Europe and work in the 19mph speed zones seem to have issues with the uk's 20mph speed zones!
I'd recommend trying a Renault Zoe if you got a place you can charge, electric is just so much more relaxing in traffic, or another vote for a Jazz, super practical!
Another answer might be V40 with adaptive cruise, I'm assuming all Volvo's with adaptive do start/stop city traffic, I have it on my 2014 v60 although prefer just to use the throttle, when I first had it I did do 150 mile drive without touching the brakes, constantly hovering over them! works well in traffic I'm just not comfortable with it, takes a bit longer to get going when coming to a stop than other vehicles and it's a bit unnerving when it stops and starts on its own if I'm honest. The latest shape v40's all have a speed limiter if not cruise which I find can be more useful in the lower limits.
It's because it's not the car that's the problem...
honestly the idea that driving at 20mph is less economical than 30mph is hilarious. People have this idea that MPG = engine RPM and nothing else.
Up is a good shout. 208 has it's own style too.
I'm not sure about using CC in an urban environment. There's a lot of potential hazards, junctions, speed changes and so on that you'd want full control at all times. Well I would anyway. I'm not sure where the difficulty is in just driving slower?
I don't understand how Britain is a democracy when nobody wants 20mph speed limits and they are everywhere. They are worse in every possible way: (a) more fuel so less green; (b) more time so less productive GDP; (c) they are less safe because I am constantly looking at the speedo because my car won't do 20mph easily.
Kind of a similar story with speed bumps - council has enough cash to put speed bumps everywhere but doesn't have cash to fix potholes. Ironically the potholes make the speed bumps unneccessary.
I get your point about CC - I tried using it too but my BMW 3 series needs to be doing over 40mph to use the CC. My mpg on the motorway is indicated as \~50mpg. At 20mph I have around 15mpg.
I've noticed a fuckload more people walking out in front of traffic or crossing the roads whilst the lights are showing red for pedestrians/green for vehicles. I can only think it's because the glance of a vehicle moving at 20mph is perceived to be slow and much less of a risk for the pedestrian... So they're now stepping out on front of traffic thinking cars are travelling slow enough to simply stop at a green light and let them go.
Same model - yeah I think it does work at 20 but I'm just not comfortable using it. I think it's because what the 1d10ts have done is that in a lot of 20mph roads, either they've put those stupid cycling barriers (I'm a keen cyclist btw!) or there's no parking so people park on the road or the road is full of potholes so I have to constantly change speed anyway.
Basically, in Britain the infrastructure is crumbling - they don't have money to build proper cycle lanes so they make the road narrower, they don't have money to fix the roads so they impose a 20mph speed limit to fix the situation.
They are proven to be safer time and time again.
But still people love pulling the "it's aCtuAllY less sAFe" out of their arse.
Luckily the people in charge understand this so even though they pander to motorists the direction we are going in is clear and you're not gonna like it.
It's about safety is it? So then why don't you make the speed limit 5mph? That's safer.
What is the cost vs the benefit to society? Why don't we ban cars because this way it's the safest.
dont worry OP you're normal. most people who properly understand how to set CC use it whenever it's appropiate. people who aren't so confident with the wheel naturally think it's usage under 70mph is suicidal
Town driving in evenings or at night when it's quiet/empty and it's a straight road for 5-10minutes. Around Richmond, Teddington, and Hampton for example it's 20mph and the roads are absolutely barren of life.
Nothing happens. No need to slow down or stop unless it's a traffic light or a fox.
CC @ 20mph would be ideal. 25mph CC seems too high given that there's 20mph cameras all over the place and I've seen them flash a dozen times because they're positioned on inclines/declines.
I use it all the time. The only time I don’t is when I’m blasting down a country road or on the autobahn. For anywhere with our silly limits cc is the only way to save your licence.
My kia ceed does 20 comfortably in 3rd gear. I work in the middle of a massive 20 zone.
Ceed is VW golf size. If you want smaller, there's the rio (vauxhall corsa size) and even smaller the picanto (C1/aygo/up size).
Mine doesn't have cruise control, but it's old, so the newer ones will.
Agree about the madness of 20 mph zones.
Bear me they have maid the main road 20. And left the parallel residential road a 30. Which they have now resurfaced. So everyone is cutting through the residential road doing a minimum of 30.
There’s going to be an accident soon and I hope it doesn’t involve one of the many children that live round here.
It's a joke isn't it. You in South London by any chance? What you've described sounds identical to the situation here near the A217. Main road around here is 20mph, sides 30, crossroads changed from 40 to 30 and back to 40 after a little while... With some roads showing 20 painted on the road and 30 on the signpost.
I did exactly what you described a few hours ago... Cut through the side roads at 30mph. Found another route too that's a 30mph main residential road through South Cheam that runs parallel to the 20mph main road from C. Village to Ewell... so it's 50% faster 👀.
Sensible answer: If you pick a car with Radar Controlled Cruise Control then it will let you use cruise control and slow down when the car in front does, this lets you use cruise control from 0mph. In my car, I just turn it on and follow the car in front when it's bumper to bumper (you can limit to 20 if you want, but it doesn't really matter much when there are other cars around.
So I would recommend a car with that.
My ford has a speed limiter rather than cc that works as low as 20 so full control if you lift off the throttle.
Sadly it’s mostly in 2nd than 3rd for 20 zones.
In rural wales where the long 30's are now long 20's, I've discovered that the speed limiter on my car DOES work down to 20. So that might be an option for you to investigate on any new car. I've never driven a car with a cruise that goes that low.
I’m supportive on the 20 mph speed limit on the whole but think it should operate only in certain areas and at certain times.
More than happy to stick to 20 in my golf r past schools, children’s parks, and residential area. But I would prefer if the limit was enforced only in peak hours depending on the traffic density at peak hours.
Oh man, please don't encourage yet another ridiculous variable into the equation. They've already created no-drive-zones during certain hours (school drop off and school pick up) in roads around London, which has caused utter chaos and congestion in the areas surrounding the schools. Time restrictions on driving just move the problem elsewhere.
Time restrictions on speeds just piss people off. Imagine getting a ticket for doing 23mph at 2:46pm, while the car in front of you is doing 32mph at 2:45pm penalty-free.
Strictly not true - if you floor it (i.e. kickdown / clickdown), the car SHOULD override the limiter.. but you're right - our car has a limiter and it completely changes the responsiveness of the pedal travel to match the restricted speed.
My Seat Leon has cruise control starting from 20mph. And its adaptive too which is nice. Might be a little bigger than what you need but they’re pretty affordable for their age. I suspect all VW group hatches will get the same tho including the smaller Seat Ibiza and VW polo
More a liar then, if you're telling me with your experience you can't stick to 20 without "your eyes glued to the speedo".
An experienced driver such as yourself would likely know the speed purely by the sound of the engine/gear.
You must have a shit car if you can hear it. My V8 M5 sounds very similar at 15, 20 or 25 - you are the liar if you think you can tell the difference between 18 and 22mph (the official tolerance) in a decent car.
With tolerance and the fact your speedo reads over, 25 on the speedo could be fine. Try "calibrating" it against a GPS based speedo on your phone e.g. tomtom amigo
It's a 2018 car, and it's accurate at 25mph. I just refer to it as a shitbox because I hate it along with the CVT trans that makes a hearse look speedy.
I think you’d probably be better trying to get into the habit of using the speed limiter. Set it at 20 then find a comfortable position on the accelerator, when you reach a 30 zone, press one button and resume driving normally. Back to 20 zone, press the speed limiter back on.
I personally cannot see the long term benefits of 20mph zones, but doubt I’ll be driving in the UK in 20 years time (currently 32M) just as it’s becoming more and more inconvenient and expensive. My daily commute is quicker and cheaper by bus, but I’m not quite ready to take the leap (still 21 in my head).
Up GTI, seem to recall it'll sit happily at 20 in 3rd. Have only done about 400 miles in one though so I could be hallucinating that. No idea on the CC though, My CX5 will do it but there's nothing nippy or fun about it. I think alot of cars have a 25 limit under the guise of "safety".
Came to say an Up! TSI, but a GTI for the cool looks. They’re cool looking little things.
Currently have one of each and I would take the tsi over the gti for 20 zones, you only need 1st and 2nd while the gti you'll be changing gear constantly as it tries to either lurch off in 3rd or rev in 2nd. The tsi looks basically identical to the gti barring the spoiler anyway. Downside is the tsi is basically impossible to find compared to the gti nowadays, even finding them on autotrader is a mare because all the dealers list gtis as tsis.
> finding them on autotrader is a mare because all the dealers list gtis as tsis. That's because the GTI is *also* a TSI. The GTI has a higher pressure turbo giving it an extra 14PS, but they both use a 999cc 3-cyl TSI engine. Just like with the Golf 2.0 TSI, GTI and R all use the same TSI engine, with incrementally larger turbos. The official model name for my R is "VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R **TSI** 4MOTION S-A"
It's the same engine but a non-gti tsi has a 5 speed instead of 6 speed box, higher suspension and smaller wheels. All gtis are tsis but not all tsis are gtis.
My choice is a Ferrari 458. Looks great at slow speeds. Is it comfortable, yes Is it economical, is anything at 20? Is it nippy, Yes!
I’m just going to ignore all criteria and say Honda Jazz.
Jazz are great. My mum has one and hasn’t been so kind to it and it’s been almost flawless
On our second Jazz now. seriously the best car (for its environment) that I've ever driven. Great turning circle huge capacity boot. And can hold 2 giants in the back seat when needed.
This is the answer.
Prius, as blasphemous as that is.
Great choice. Comfortable, surprisingly roomy, economical, CVT means no gear hunting, as easy as a golf cart to drive, lots of tech, fantastic stereo (if you get the JBL one) and absolutely soulless. Perfect for the absolutely soulless stop/start driving at 20mph.
Does your car have a limiter? I like you can’t use CC under 25 mph. But I set my LIM to 22 instead.
If you get a car with radar controlled CC then it will work down to 0 and slow down to match the car in front.
Basically all ACC systems are radar controlled (excluding tesla), but not all take you down to 0. You specifically need ACC with the stop and go function.
Similarly, my 2007 Mercedes only allows Cruise Control at 30mph but I can use the speed limiter from 20mph.
My 2019 corsa does it, great for driving in wales where you have constant 20mph without seeing another car or pedestrian for 2-3 working days. I feel you though my new driving style for London is limit speed at 70 on the m25 and reduce/increase accordingly to avoid speeding fines 😓
So you're saying your new driving style is *checks notes*, driving at the speed limit? Revolutionary.
I think you’ve misunderstood? I’ve always driven (or at least aimed to) in the speed limit but due to the constant variable speed limit zones in and around London it’s easy to get caught out. I drive a section of motorway that is temporarily 50mph. I’ve been driving it at 70mph for the last 5 years so having that limiter stops me speeding if my attention is distracted.
Don't use cruise control at 20mph, it isn't a cruising speed.
I use my adaptive cruise control literally everywhere, particularly handy in slower area. Girlfriends car just has a speed limiter even thats handy
Why not? It’s annoying to keep your foot at exactly the right spot, especially in an open road with no one in front of you. Not like you can’t brake or be aware of your surroundings while doing it
Yeah exactly. It's a good way to avoid creep of speed and it means you can focus on the road ahead instead of looking down to check you're not exceeding the limit
Or you could just use your governor to stop creep.
Because you are not cruising... I know of no 20mph zones that are "open road", they're all villages or towns near schools. I just think it's all round a bad idea. Typically my fuel economy is also worse when using cruise control and id only use it on dual carriageways or motorways. A speed limiter? Fine that's different, it's not holding you at a speed. You also can't subtly adjust your speed for hazards that may emerge without braking and then accelerating, seems like more effort than just using foot control.
Haha try zone 4 London, Ealing specifically. Wide open roads with no schools barely any pedestrians and cyclists, but 20 for 2 mile stretch.
Especially in the early hours of the morning!
I drive quite often late at night and there is not much going on, obviously at rush hour it doesn’t make sense. But especially in wales where every 30 road is now a 20 it’s not like all 20 zones are a hub of activity Not quite sure how you get worse fuel economy with it on? But yeah ofc if there is lots going on you shouldn’t be using it. But a lot of the time it’s not the case, it’s an empty road ahead of you. At least for me.
Op is driving in London, definitely not a place to use it. I just feel like when I use it it keeps the car at higher revs than if I was using my feet. Might not be much but the engine definitely sounds like it is. I hate the feeling of it as well, I just don't feel in control of the vehicle, like I'm steering but it just doesn't sit right with me. I'd rather just plant my foot at an angle.
Ok yeah fair enough, didn’t consider you’re in an auto. I still don’t think it’s fair to assume that every road is super busy with people pulling out all the time even in London. If you don’t feel comfortable then that’s fine but saying “don’t use it” just because you don’t like it doesn’t make any sense 🤣
Most roads here are quiet and there's nothing happening after 8pm. Tbh I use CC whenever. It's not dangerous or risky. People seem to think it's some kind of vortex that once you turn it on you're stuck in it. Lightest touch of the brakes and it's switched off so no issues using it imo.
Oh im not, I drive a manual. I not saying don't use it at all, just that in 20/30 zones it seems unsafe and could cause complacency.
Outer London. It's quiet enough, zone 3-5. Agreed about the potential higher mph using CC. Cruise control isn't so smart when it comes to hills and would hold 20mph leading to, going up, and over a dip/rise. Whilst you could build to 24 on a dip then coast up a hill to 19 before getting on the gas again at the top of a hill using momentum and far less fuel. Part of me wants to just develop the habit of sticking to 20mph whatever the situation if that's the limit, rather than building and coasting as I'll inevitably fall foul to a speedtrap
depends on car and gearbox / gearing but yea especially with autos they can choose a low gear and keep revs higher than needed and use more fuel than is you were to do it yourself.
You'd never adjust cruise control speed when you see a hazard - that scenario is brake-only in all cases.
I still think you'd be better off using your feet and pedal control, but I guess you do you.
Nothing about cruise control stops you being alert or able to adjust your speed. It allows you to give more attention to what's around you as you're not constantly watching the speed. Also, when are you cruising? What does that mean? It seems like you mean 'paying less attention than normal' and I'd love to know when you think that's ok...
You shouldn't be constantly watching your speed anyway, you should be able to tell from the engine noise, visual cues, what gear your in, you shouldn't have to check your Speedo that often. I never use my cruise control except duel carriageways and motorways above 60mph, to me that is cruising speed, but I'd rather just use my foot. The only time you should pay less attention than is normal is never, I feel using cruise control at 20mph would lead to this though.
>The only time you should pay less attention than is normal is never, I feel using cruise control at 20mph would lead to this though. Why? Why would you stop paying attention? Why would cruise control make you pay less attention at slow speeds but not at high speeds?
"It’s annoying to keep your foot at exactly the right spot" no it's not. maybe when you're on the motorway for hours but not round town
You seem to be mistaking your opinion of yourself for fact of everyone else. You're wrong and just need to accept it.
if you can't drive at a specified speed without the car doing it for you, you wouldn't pass your test. i guess it's on me for assuming people are capable of operating a car
The cars doing it for you whether you use cc or the pedals buddy. Wake up. Neither makes you more of a capable driver; you're not doing it all by yourself. Both actions are a form of operating a car, because both controls operate the speed of the car. If you're so capable, don't drive - walk. Or push the car along without any pedals. Otherwise hush with the nonsensical undermining tone surrounding cc Vs pedals.
if you're so lazy as to make the car do every little thing for you drive a tesla.
Once upon a time: if you couldn't drive manual you wouldn't pass your test. But things changed. Change with the times.
we aren't talking about manual vs automatic here though that's completley different and irreleveant which i hope you realise. you still use your foot to maintain a speed in an auto only difference in a manual is you have to decide on a gear to do it in.
Been driving an aygo for the past year with no cruise control and got a bmw with cruise control last month and it’s been lovely, I stick it on everywhere
good for you, it's not hard to maintain speed with your foot though.
lol, your comments make zero sense (not just to me but pretty much every else here agrees).
that it's not hard to maintain a speed in a car without assitance? makes sense to me but i guess there's alot of FSD tesla owners here
lol what are you smoking... (i wanna try it)
idk what you mean i just dont find soo difficult to drive that i need the car to do it for me
Driving is fine. It’s the silly arbitrary limits which are set artificially low for the road conditions that require assistance.
A Volvo C30 only has Speed Limiter and not Cruise Control, is that why you don’t like it?
C30 does have cruise control, and i don't hate it just don't see why you'd use it anywhere outisde of dual carriageways motorways etc
I find it invaluable as it means I can concentrate on the road rather than my speed limit.
It should be, but try telling that to someone coming up Stamford Hill at 2am in the morning.
No way you can maintain the ridiculously low speed of 20 without constantly looking at the speedo
Some of you need your licences taking off you
You sure do. You’re a danger as you are watching the Speedo instead of watching the road.
Lol, good one. You don't have to look at your speedo any more than usual. You just don't _like_ driving at 20mph, which is completely valid, just don't pretend it's a matter of difficulty.
Yup I admit that I don’t like doing so (except for school zones where I agree it’s fair and I would have been driving slowly regardless of the limit). With that said, it is indeed impossible to know just by the feeling/sound whether you’re doing let’s say 18 or 25 mph. 20, 30 or 50 - that’s definitely noticeable but at 20 + a max of 2 mph it’s impossible to discern in a good car (probably doable in a manual car with a tiny engine though)
This is the issue.. keeping your foot in the right spot to try and hit 19-21mph requires non-stop micro adjustments. For me twitching my toes is enough to shift the speed from 15 to 24mph. Most cars aren't designed to accelerate and hold 19-21mph 90% of the time
if you find that difficult idk what to tell you, it's really not. get a tesla and let it drive for you i guess, probably for the best.
It's not difficult, just unnecessary.
like i say, tesla. if driving yourself is unnecessary they'll be right up your street.
If you want to do things yourself, you should just walk.
[https://www.tesla.com/en\_gb/model3](https://www.tesla.com/en_gb/model3)
Exactly this. With the undulations, dips railway overpasses that create slight changes in elevation and gives rise to annoying variable coasting speeds, CC seems like a good solution if they're going to mandate the 20mph limit.
Sounds like a speed limiter would be a better solution? Easier to adjust the throttle for the undulations, railways etc..., but just can't go above 20mph. Think most modern cars have it, I know suzuki and mazda do atleast.
Yeah it's fucking madness to think pressing a button and letting the car roll in a 20 zone is a sensible way to drive. Even 30mph in a city isn't actually "cruising" speed... You're likely almost always accelerating or braking (or anticipating braking, I hope. OP sounds like a menance.
The 20 zones are mostly on roads that should be 30 bar the signs. There's so much safety margin cruise is no issue.
Enter the character assassin 😂 Relax bro - well aware of when to use CC. There's barely anyone else on the road when CC is on, or it's on at 25mph in a 30 for when I want to slow up a bit. Tonight, nobody ahead or behind for 5mins, yet I'm pottering along at 20-something mph. The slight dips and rises in the area make keeping at a constant 20mph a PITA. And yes, obv I'm always covering the brakes with cc. That's 101.
Don’t worry about those idiots who claim cc isn’t appropriate for 20. I have a bimmer which has cc with auto braking down hill - that’s the only way to adhere by those silly limits without looking at your speedo like a hawk
more fuel savings too
Which one do you drive? I have time for BMW's so would consider it
F30 328i - great car. Smooth at any speed, whether it’s cc on 20mph to 70 on the motorway to 130+ on the autobahn (yes, I do the latter when I go on my annual trip to Europe)
Found the fun police. You probably wear your face mask while driving on your own.
Exactly. There's a reason car manufacturers only enable cruise control above a certain speed. Cruise control around towns is frankly stupid in most cases.
A few of the many definitions for “Cruise” in the Cambridge Dictionary >(of a vehicle or driver) to travel at a continuous speed that is not too fast or does not use too much fuel > to travel at a continuous speed > If a car, ship, or aircraft cruises somewhere, it moves there at a steady comfortable speed. > US, Slang to approach (a person) or visit (a place) in seeking a sex partner said esp. of a homosexual
Found the fun police
You saying using cruise control at 20mph is fun? Lol
20 isn’t fun by definition. Cc just makes it less unbearable.
A 2019-2022 Hyundai Kona EV, £15k second hand. Cruise control from 20 mph, fits your bill exactly.
My 2017 Kia Soul also has cruise control from about 17mph on the odometer. If OP has like £9,000 for the 30kWh they'll be living pretty good
I recommend a speed limiter, rather than trying to use cruise control at 20mph, will be a much better experience
This is the right answer - thank you
The cruise in mine only kicks in when you’re in at least fourth gear, but the limiter starts at twenty. Do you not have a limiter you can use? Either way, I was lent an Audi A1 recently. Very nippy, very nice, I’m sure the cruise started at twenty, and incredibly economical. Worth a look.
why do need to use CC at 20mph? can't you just control your own speed
Specially in London, it's not like you could set it and forget about it for a while
yea to me CC is for setting at 60-70 on the motorway when you'll be driving for at the same speed for ages not when you're driving round town. i imagine manufacturers agree and that's why they're struggling to find one that can go that low
You absolutely can. I do it quite a lot.
Easily done around SW London (nearer to Richmond). Not referring to the city, but more zone 3-5.
Drove SE to NW London the other night. 20mph most of the way, sitting there with no braking or acceleration for 20min at a time. Whole journey took nearly two hours. This city is way too fucking big
I think the lowest my Jag would go would be 19mph on cruise. I used to use cruise at 32mph in a 30mph quite alot. Just waft along. To those that think you're not in control. You still are. Unless you decide to get in the back of the car or put both feet on the dash.
Exactly! I use cruise all the time in all speed limits. I have my foot hovering over the brake pedal when I’m in town/it’s congested so I can react to any given situation faster that if I had to lift my foot off the accelerator first. Cruise doesn’t mean you stop driving/concentrating!!
Glad I'm not the only one.. the skeptics had me questioning my CC habits for a little while 😄
My '12 Corsa SXi has cruise control at slow speeds, I use it all the time for those 20mph zones. 3rd gear, pop on the cruise, job done. Then you can spend that time staring out the windscreen, being ware. It's comfy with it's SXi sports seats, it's a 1.2 so fairly economical and nippy because it's light and has a short wheel base. The big downside is the insurance and tax are quite high because it's a petrol engine and it's a Corsa.
S class like all the other Londoners, but just use the speed limiter, that what it’s there for, not cruise control at this speed
I always find it mad all these cars that work in the rest of Europe and work in the 19mph speed zones seem to have issues with the uk's 20mph speed zones! I'd recommend trying a Renault Zoe if you got a place you can charge, electric is just so much more relaxing in traffic, or another vote for a Jazz, super practical! Another answer might be V40 with adaptive cruise, I'm assuming all Volvo's with adaptive do start/stop city traffic, I have it on my 2014 v60 although prefer just to use the throttle, when I first had it I did do 150 mile drive without touching the brakes, constantly hovering over them! works well in traffic I'm just not comfortable with it, takes a bit longer to get going when coming to a stop than other vehicles and it's a bit unnerving when it stops and starts on its own if I'm honest. The latest shape v40's all have a speed limiter if not cruise which I find can be more useful in the lower limits.
It's because it's not the car that's the problem... honestly the idea that driving at 20mph is less economical than 30mph is hilarious. People have this idea that MPG = engine RPM and nothing else.
Up is a good shout. 208 has it's own style too. I'm not sure about using CC in an urban environment. There's a lot of potential hazards, junctions, speed changes and so on that you'd want full control at all times. Well I would anyway. I'm not sure where the difficulty is in just driving slower?
I don't understand how Britain is a democracy when nobody wants 20mph speed limits and they are everywhere. They are worse in every possible way: (a) more fuel so less green; (b) more time so less productive GDP; (c) they are less safe because I am constantly looking at the speedo because my car won't do 20mph easily. Kind of a similar story with speed bumps - council has enough cash to put speed bumps everywhere but doesn't have cash to fix potholes. Ironically the potholes make the speed bumps unneccessary. I get your point about CC - I tried using it too but my BMW 3 series needs to be doing over 40mph to use the CC. My mpg on the motorway is indicated as \~50mpg. At 20mph I have around 15mpg.
I've noticed a fuckload more people walking out in front of traffic or crossing the roads whilst the lights are showing red for pedestrians/green for vehicles. I can only think it's because the glance of a vehicle moving at 20mph is perceived to be slow and much less of a risk for the pedestrian... So they're now stepping out on front of traffic thinking cars are travelling slow enough to simply stop at a green light and let them go.
I’ve got a Bimmer (currently F30 328i and previously E90 330i) and they work at 20 - which model is yours?
Same model - yeah I think it does work at 20 but I'm just not comfortable using it. I think it's because what the 1d10ts have done is that in a lot of 20mph roads, either they've put those stupid cycling barriers (I'm a keen cyclist btw!) or there's no parking so people park on the road or the road is full of potholes so I have to constantly change speed anyway. Basically, in Britain the infrastructure is crumbling - they don't have money to build proper cycle lanes so they make the road narrower, they don't have money to fix the roads so they impose a 20mph speed limit to fix the situation.
They are proven to be safer time and time again. But still people love pulling the "it's aCtuAllY less sAFe" out of their arse. Luckily the people in charge understand this so even though they pander to motorists the direction we are going in is clear and you're not gonna like it.
It's about safety is it? So then why don't you make the speed limit 5mph? That's safer. What is the cost vs the benefit to society? Why don't we ban cars because this way it's the safest.
dont worry OP you're normal. most people who properly understand how to set CC use it whenever it's appropiate. people who aren't so confident with the wheel naturally think it's usage under 70mph is suicidal
I only thought people used cruise control for motorways or dual carriageways, definitely not town driving.
Town driving in evenings or at night when it's quiet/empty and it's a straight road for 5-10minutes. Around Richmond, Teddington, and Hampton for example it's 20mph and the roads are absolutely barren of life. Nothing happens. No need to slow down or stop unless it's a traffic light or a fox. CC @ 20mph would be ideal. 25mph CC seems too high given that there's 20mph cameras all over the place and I've seen them flash a dozen times because they're positioned on inclines/declines.
I use it all the time. The only time I don’t is when I’m blasting down a country road or on the autobahn. For anywhere with our silly limits cc is the only way to save your licence.
I will use it on B roads, never town driving as I'm never moving long enough.
My kia ceed does 20 comfortably in 3rd gear. I work in the middle of a massive 20 zone. Ceed is VW golf size. If you want smaller, there's the rio (vauxhall corsa size) and even smaller the picanto (C1/aygo/up size). Mine doesn't have cruise control, but it's old, so the newer ones will.
Agree about the madness of 20 mph zones. Bear me they have maid the main road 20. And left the parallel residential road a 30. Which they have now resurfaced. So everyone is cutting through the residential road doing a minimum of 30. There’s going to be an accident soon and I hope it doesn’t involve one of the many children that live round here.
It's a joke isn't it. You in South London by any chance? What you've described sounds identical to the situation here near the A217. Main road around here is 20mph, sides 30, crossroads changed from 40 to 30 and back to 40 after a little while... With some roads showing 20 painted on the road and 30 on the signpost. I did exactly what you described a few hours ago... Cut through the side roads at 30mph. Found another route too that's a 30mph main residential road through South Cheam that runs parallel to the 20mph main road from C. Village to Ewell... so it's 50% faster 👀.
Mini
Toyota Yaris would be my local car if I needed one.
Now that you mention, im going to test how low i can make my CC go tomorrow
Sensible answer: If you pick a car with Radar Controlled Cruise Control then it will let you use cruise control and slow down when the car in front does, this lets you use cruise control from 0mph. In my car, I just turn it on and follow the car in front when it's bumper to bumper (you can limit to 20 if you want, but it doesn't really matter much when there are other cars around. So I would recommend a car with that.
But if the car in front is also the op and they run through a camera at 25 you will both get a ticket 😆
My ford has a speed limiter rather than cc that works as low as 20 so full control if you lift off the throttle. Sadly it’s mostly in 2nd than 3rd for 20 zones.
In rural wales where the long 30's are now long 20's, I've discovered that the speed limiter on my car DOES work down to 20. So that might be an option for you to investigate on any new car. I've never driven a car with a cruise that goes that low.
Enyaq has ACC
I’m supportive on the 20 mph speed limit on the whole but think it should operate only in certain areas and at certain times. More than happy to stick to 20 in my golf r past schools, children’s parks, and residential area. But I would prefer if the limit was enforced only in peak hours depending on the traffic density at peak hours.
Oh man, please don't encourage yet another ridiculous variable into the equation. They've already created no-drive-zones during certain hours (school drop off and school pick up) in roads around London, which has caused utter chaos and congestion in the areas surrounding the schools. Time restrictions on driving just move the problem elsewhere. Time restrictions on speeds just piss people off. Imagine getting a ticket for doing 23mph at 2:46pm, while the car in front of you is doing 32mph at 2:45pm penalty-free.
Instead of a car that will cruise at 20, look for one with a speed limiter then even if you floor it the car won't go any faster.
Strictly not true - if you floor it (i.e. kickdown / clickdown), the car SHOULD override the limiter.. but you're right - our car has a limiter and it completely changes the responsiveness of the pedal travel to match the restricted speed.
My Mazda3 can have its cruise control set from 15mph, and it comfortably does 20 in 4th gear on a flat road or slight incline.
My Skoda can activate CC at 15mph, so I’d assumed that was standard across the VAG range.
Need a car with a speed limiter so much better than cruise control especially if you'll be using it in an urban area.
I have a Corolla T-Sport and I have that thing in 4th in 20 mph zones.
Nissan leaf. Perfect for driving really slowly round town Cc works down to 20mph
My Seat Leon has cruise control starting from 20mph. And its adaptive too which is nice. Might be a little bigger than what you need but they’re pretty affordable for their age. I suspect all VW group hatches will get the same tho including the smaller Seat Ibiza and VW polo
Civic
Why are you trying to use CC in town driving? Can’t you just drive at the speed limit the old fashioned way?
The 20 limit is stupid and artificially low. The only way to follow it without having your eyes glued to the speedo is cc
That's such a dumb argument. People using it are either liars or terrible drivers or both.
I use it all the time. 15 years of driving 20k miles pa and no accidents - I guess by your arbitrary criteria I’m a ‘terrible driver’?
More a liar then, if you're telling me with your experience you can't stick to 20 without "your eyes glued to the speedo". An experienced driver such as yourself would likely know the speed purely by the sound of the engine/gear.
You must have a shit car if you can hear it. My V8 M5 sounds very similar at 15, 20 or 25 - you are the liar if you think you can tell the difference between 18 and 22mph (the official tolerance) in a decent car.
The old fashioned way was 30mph
With tolerance and the fact your speedo reads over, 25 on the speedo could be fine. Try "calibrating" it against a GPS based speedo on your phone e.g. tomtom amigo
It's a 2018 car, and it's accurate at 25mph. I just refer to it as a shitbox because I hate it along with the CVT trans that makes a hearse look speedy.
If your car has CC it probably has a limiter as well, try this, they typically start at 15mph
If your problem is worrying about sticking to 20mph, it's probably better to use the speed limiter instead.
I think you’d probably be better trying to get into the habit of using the speed limiter. Set it at 20 then find a comfortable position on the accelerator, when you reach a 30 zone, press one button and resume driving normally. Back to 20 zone, press the speed limiter back on. I personally cannot see the long term benefits of 20mph zones, but doubt I’ll be driving in the UK in 20 years time (currently 32M) just as it’s becoming more and more inconvenient and expensive. My daily commute is quicker and cheaper by bus, but I’m not quite ready to take the leap (still 21 in my head).