Cruise Control

[Kimberley Scott]

Finally after seven weeks, been able to take my car for a decent drive, Mk11 ar6t manual. Set cruise and it drove brillianely. However when gonig down the steeper declines, the speed stayed pretty much the same but a slight shudder was felt by me the driver, not passengers. Wondered if it was the brakes being applied on and off by the cruise or if it was no fuel being injected into the cylinders by the cruise. Any help to satisfy my couriosity would be much appreciated.

[BA_Turbs]

The shuddering was possibly the car being in too higher gear fo rthe number of revs it was doing. If you have the manual, I believe the car will disengage cruise control before it does damage to your vehicle when the speed/revs get outside the safe range for the gear you are in.

The latest (or next to latest, can't remember) generation of Mercedes' are just coming out now with "active" cruise control that will not only bring a car up to speed, but it will hold it there even on a steep descent.

If you read through the owner's manual it explains quite well how the limitation of the cruise control system and what input is required from you, if any, when it is functioning.

[Kimberley Scott]

Mate I think you missed the point. Open freeway in 6th gear cruise set to 110 km/h. About 2100 rpm. Pulls nicely even up hill. Going down steeper decents ther is a shudder. Brakes going on and off very quickly as only a computer could do, or no fuel being injected to cylinders on a rotated basis to slow vehicle down by making the cylinders push air. I know that some of the more up to date engines do this in limp mode and when overheating. Did not think that Ford did this. Not in what is the closet thing to an Ozzie built car.

If anyone has any real insight I would appreciate it. Having said that though feel free to continue to take the piss if required.

Scotty

[FORDTECH]

Scotty,

What you're describing sounds like some sort of decent control(If the ABS unit is actually operating to slow the vehicle).To my knowledge there is nothing like this available on these vehicles.Would probably suggest you take it to your dealer and get it looked at.Would make it easy to find something wrong if you say it does it everytime.

Hope this helps.

I know it's tempting guys,but please don't turn this into yet another "Dealership Mechanics Don't Know F... All about anything" threads.

[Mondie]

Our T used to shudder going down steep hills at 100kmh, it was slack in the driveline ala driveline shunt. Given that yours is a 6spd and probably even more overdriven than the 5spd this could be what you are feeling.

Do you have the diff clunk driving around town?

[Kimberley Scott]

seriousely I think all you guys are missing the point. The shuder has nothing to do with the drive line. Not a mechanic, but have done enough k,s indifferent cars over the years to tell. The shuder is in the front somewhere, lets call it a hesitation, because I think shudder is leading you guys down the wrong path.

Its only very slight and not in a pattern, therefore it seems controlled by the cruise control. I am guessing it is something to do with the engine and its firing, whether no fuel is injected or something.

Scotty

[tab]

SERIOUSLY these guys are not taking the piss and are only trying to assist.

However, with an attitude like yours one could fully understand if the piss-taking commenced!

Trent.

[BlueXR6Turbo]

This issue was discussed ages ago. It's my understanding that the cruise control basically can't keep the speed constant when you're going down hill. I'm probably not doing a good job of explaining, but the cruise control applies throttle and this increases the speed, so then it reduces throttle and the speed drops, so it increases throttle and so on. Only happens at high speed and when going down hill.

[Buf-Phoon]

  Mondie said:

Our T used to shudder going down steep hills at 100kmh, it was slack in the driveline ala driveline shunt. Given that yours is a 6spd and probably even more overdriven than the 5spd this could be what you are feeling.

Do you have the diff clunk driving around town?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Point taken or not, I still reckon it is drivelnie related.

[Turbo6man]

  Kimberley Scott said:

Finally after seven weeks, been able to take my car for a decent drive, Mk11 ar6t manual. Set cruise and it drove brillianely. However when gonig down the steeper declines, the speed stayed pretty much the same but a slight shudder was felt by me the driver, not passengers. Wondered if it was the brakes being applied on and off by the cruise or if it was no fuel being injected into the cylinders by the cruise. Any help to satisfy my couriosity would be much appreciated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's not the brakes being applied. This doesn't happen ... as you would know if you read your handbook.

The cruise control does not cut fuel supply to the injectors. The ECU controls fuel supply. Having no fuel being supplied to the injectors will not cause shuddering - does it shudder when you take your foot off the throttle going down hill when cruise control is not turned on? Thought not.

So having said those things, as people have done, they have then offered you other suggestions in line with your own request to have your curiosity satisfied. In return you have responded with anything but appreciation.

You said you aren't a mechanic. Hell that's obvious ... you can't even read! You came here asking for help and suggestions. If you aren't happy with the responses go see your Ford dealer. Simple really.

Now, off to get my pills ... think I need the RED ones this morning. Bloody cricket!!