Kiihdytyssäätö

Kiihdytyssäätö, known in English as cruise control, is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. It maintains a selected speed without the driver needing to operate the accelerator pedal. This feature is commonly found in modern cars and can contribute to fuel efficiency and driver comfort on long journeys.

The basic principle of kiihdytyssäätö involves a control unit that receives input from various sensors, such as the vehicle's speed sensor and accelerator position sensor. When the driver sets a desired speed, the control unit monitors the current speed. If the speed drops below the set point, the system will automatically increase the throttle opening to accelerate the vehicle back to the desired speed. Conversely, if the vehicle exceeds the set speed, the system will reduce the throttle opening.

More advanced versions of kiihdytyssäätö, often referred to as adaptive cruise control (ACC), incorporate radar or lidar sensors to detect vehicles ahead. ACC systems can automatically adjust the vehicle's speed to maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front, braking and accelerating as needed. This further enhances safety and reduces driver workload in traffic.

To disengage kiihdytyssäätö, the driver can typically press the brake pedal, the clutch pedal (in manual transmissions), or a dedicated disengage button on the steering wheel or dashboard. Resuming the previously set speed is usually possible with a "resume" button.