Cruise control

[freddyg]

Q?

Which type of cruise control system do you have?

The basic one is a common VAG fitment & has the controls built into the indicator / flasher stalk & should be easy / simple to operate but there is also another version with a separate L/H stalk under the steering wheel.

 

I find the basic version quite easy to use, but it's been standard on our last 4 cars, so we should be quite used to it!

I've been using my Mondeo recently & the cruise on that is operated with unlit buttons on the spokes of the wheel, + different control logic, & not especially easy to use.

 

 

DC 

.

 

This is my first VAG car and I paid for the standard cruise control.

 

I was out in it a fair bit over the weekend and, while I'm getting more used to it, I still find it counter intuitive.  I've got the car for another two years, so I have no doubt it'll be fine.

 

Of the previous motors I've driven with CC, the best system has been the additional stalk on my last two beemers.  The Ford system was okay too.

[Gabbo]

FYI - Using the cruise control before the engine is fully run in is not recommended, as it could lead to glazed bores due to the constant engine speed. Even on the motorway the minor variations in engine speed under manual control are a benefit to the engines running in process.

Ted

 

 

you're joking right?

[aki78]

Odd one.  Just got back from a long trip to the Pyrenees (1600 miles round trip) so was pleased to have the cruise control (standard version, not ACC) for the first 2 hours or so..... and then it cancelled itself.  I thought maybe I'd accidentally touched the brake pedal as the white CC light was still on but the green 'active' light was not lit.

 

After another hour or so it happened again about 4 times within a few minutes, then it was fine again for the next 3 - 4 hours until we were closing in on Toulouse where it happened several more times.  

 

On the way back via Bordeaux where we had a clear 120 miles of open road it did it twice more then again as we approached Nantes for an overnight stop. The following day on the way up to St Malo it was fine apart from a 5 minute period heading towards Rennes when it happened twice.

 

Each time it happened I am sure my feet were nowhere near the brake so it wasn't that and the road was smooth so it wasn't a bump that caused it.

 

I will be taking it into the dealer but I suspect they will struggle to find the problem on a small island with a 35mph limit and no roads longer than 3 miles without having to stop.

 

So my question is 'has anyone else had this problem and had it solved?' 

Hi from Hungary,

We have 3 brand new O3 Combi (Estate) Elegance 2.0 CR-TDI 150 with DSG as company cars.

They arrived a few weeks ago.

From the first time they all suffer from the cruise control issue.

The symphtoms are similar, 1-200 km drive with cc and it suddenly cancels itself. It happens randomly.

The previously set speed remains on maxi dot in grey colour...and with the RES button the car accelerates again to the set speed.

So far the dealer tried to fix it 2 times - but they failed, the problem still exist.

First attempt: computer diagnose - showed no error, the car did not register any error.

Second attempt: they changed the complete lever - did not help, but they mounted back the steerting wheel in wrong position :S

Now we wait for the third attempt, no more infos at the moment.

(Sorry for my english )

[Smeghead]

Hi from Hungary,

We have 3 brand new O3 Combi (Estate) Elegance 2.0 CR-TDI 150 with DSG as company cars.

They arrived a few weeks ago.

From the first time they all suffer from the cruise control issue.

The symphtoms are similar, 1-200 km drive with cc and it suddenly cancels itself. It happens randomly.

The previously set speed remains on maxi dot in grey colour...and with the RES button the car accelerates again to the set speed.

So far the dealer tried to fix it 2 times - but they failed, the problem still exist.

First attempt: computer diagnose - showed no error, the car did not register any error.

Second attempt: they changed the complete lever - did not help, but they mounted back the steerting wheel in wrong position :S

Now we wait for the third attempt, no more infos at the moment.

(Sorry for my english )

Nothing wrong with your English

 

I think from your description your 3 cars have the exact same fault as mine - I too can hit resume and it goes back up to speed.  It's like you pressed the brake, only you didn't!

 

Mine's going into the dealer next Thursday (20th).  When I spoke to them they said they were not aware of the issue but would first look for ECU fault codes and if that doesn't find anything they will order a complete CC module and replace it.  I'll let you know what happens.

Edited 15 March, 2014 by Smeghead

[classic]

FYI - Using the cruise control before the engine is fully run in is not recommended, as it could lead to glazed bores due to the constant engine speed. Even on the motorway the minor variations in engine speed under manual control are a benefit to the engines running in process.

Ted

I disagree, a diesel engine running at constant speed, within its torque band, at normal operating temperature is in its happiest place. Running at light load such as idling, particularly from cold, causes bore glazing. It is not something to worry about with a modern car engine.

[aki78]

Nothing wrong with your English

 

I think from your description your 3 cars have the exact same fault as mine - I too can hit resume and it goes back up to speed.  It's like you pressed the brake, only you didn't!

 

Mine's going into the dealer next Thursday (20th).  When I spoke to them they said they were not aware of the issue but would first look for ECU fault codes and if that doesn't find anything they will order a complete CC module and replace it.  I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks in advance. And when I know something i will share it, too.

At the moment I have no exact date for the next "try".

I asked them to contact the hungarian distributor or the factory. Maybe they know something.

It's better than "shooting in the air"...

I hope they will find the solution soon...I love the car, but this issue with cc is annoying.

[C4miles]

FYI - Using the cruise control before the engine is fully run in is not recommended, as it could lead to glazed bores due to the constant engine speed. Even on the motorway the minor variations in engine speed under manual control are a benefit to the engines running in process.

 

Second your comment on this, classic.

 

Diesel cylinder glazing is typically a problem on sailing boats, when the engine is run under little or no load, such as charging the batteries when at anchor.

 

I would have thought that cruise control, whilst giving a constant speed, still imposes a significant load. However, it is recommended to vary the speed during running-in, for reasons unconnected with cylinder glazing.

[Smeghead]

I can understand the varying load bit but not the speed.  It's not like the pistons move further at higher speeds.  Sorry if I'm being a thicky but why does the speed matter?

[C4miles]

I can understand the varying load bit but not the speed.  It's not like the pistons move further at higher speeds.  Sorry if I'm being a thicky but why does the speed matter?

 

Is it more to do with the benefits to a tight engine of a variation in RPM?

[classic]

The cruise control ecu will be constantly varying the load / rpm for inclines up & down etc as it tries to maintain the set speed.

Edited 17 March, 2014 by classic

[Neily03]

The cruise control ecu will be constantly varying the load / rpm for inclines up & down etc as it tries to maintain the set speed.

If it's doing it's job properly and staying at a set speed the RPMs will stay constant.

[Smeghead]

Thanks in advance. And when I know something i will share it, too.

At the moment I have no exact date for the next "try".

I asked them to contact the hungarian distributor or the factory. Maybe they know something.

It's better than "shooting in the air"...

I hope they will find the solution soon...I love the car, but this issue with cc is annoying.

I noticed another odd thing on my way to work this morning which I would ask you to try please......

 

I live on a small island where CC is not used very often (no point really, but it is useful when I drive in Europe). The car has the Stop/start system and on the DSG I find this is utterly useless as it only kicks in at the most inappropriate moment so I now always turn it off at the start of every journey.

 

This morning I got to the first set of traffic lights on my way into town and the engine stalled when I put my foot on the brake.  I am 99% sure I turned S/S off so I am wondering if either I forgot (possible) or maybe this is linked somehow to the CC reset issue. This has happened once before (that I have noticed) but on that occasion I just assumed I'n forgotten to turn off S/S.

 

Could you try turning off the S/S and see if it resets itself when the CC resets please?

 

I have to admit this is a very long shot but if the 2 are indeed linked it might help finding the fault.

[classic]

If it's doing it's job properly and staying at a set speed the RPMs will stay constant.

If it was that good, and able to maintain the set speed exactly, then yes the rpm would be constant. However it can only react to a an actual change of the inputs it receives, the main one being speed. So it detects an increase in speed and reduces power to return to its set speed, it detects a reduction and increases power. Therefore the speed/rpm are changing with cruise control, although only by fractions of mph which are mostly not visible on the speedo. The advantage an ecu has over the driver is the ability to make very fast and very fine control inputs and never lose concentration. The driver's advantage is that he/she can see the approaching road, perceive its gradient and alter the power setting as required to maintain the speed.

Smeghead - sorry not much help with your fault. If your cruise is being disconnected by an erroneous signal from the control switch or a sensor such as brake pedal switch, this will be hard to find as the ecu will recognise the command as valid and not record a fault. I don't know the latest skoda/vag system in detail, it may be designed to disconnect given certain ESC conditions, as mentioned, or even steering angle. It may disconnect if unable to maintain speed within certain tolerance due to gradients etc.

Edited 17 March, 2014 by classic

[aki78]

I noticed another odd thing on my way to work this morning which I would ask you to try please......

 

I live on a small island where CC is not used very often (no point really, but it is useful when I drive in Europe). The car has the Stop/start system and on the DSG I find this is utterly useless as it only kicks in at the most inappropriate moment so I now always turn it off at the start of every journey.

 

This morning I got to the first set of traffic lights on my way into town and the engine stalled when I put my foot on the brake.  I am 99% sure I turned S/S off so I am wondering if either I forgot (possible) or maybe this is linked somehow to the CC reset issue. This has happened once before (that I have noticed) but on that occasion I just assumed I'n forgotten to turn off S/S.

 

Could you try turning off the S/S and see if it resets itself when the CC resets please?

 

I have to admit this is a very long shot but if the 2 are indeed linked it might help finding the fault.

Hi,

 

I always turn off Start/Stop when I start the car as you do. (I also think that this system is not good for a car with DSG.)

When the cc cancels itself, the Start/Stop system stays switched OFF on my car. I'm 99,99% sure...

On workdays I travel 7x80 km on highway, and once or twice a day the cc cancels itself on the highway.

After the highway there're another few kms to my house/workplace in city roads so I'm sure the S/S stays OFF.

Yesterday and once earlier it also cancelled itself in city, after ~30 seconds...it is rarely but happens. It was set to 55 km/h.

Things I tried to make the "cancel" happen:

-kickking the brake pedal from sideways ("testing" brake pedal switch)

-slightly turn the switch on the lever towards "CANCEL"

-turning on/off ESC system in the menu

...and nothing happened. The "self cancel" happened even with ESC off.

I noticed (and my colleagues too) that the car looses speed very fast on highway when this happens. The car almost "jumps".

If you switch to "CANCEL" by hand this is slower.

I think this is a software error or the cc system gets some wrong signal from somewhere.

Hopefully they'll find it.....I asked for a mobile device plugged into my car to see what's happening but no answer till now.

[Smeghead]

Hi,

 

I always turn off Start/Stop when I start the car as you do. (I also think that this system is not good for a car with DSG.)

When the cc cancels itself, the Start/Stop system stays switched OFF on my car. I'm 99,99% sure...

On workdays I travel 7x80 km on highway, and once or twice a day the cc cancels itself on the highway.

After the highway there're another few kms to my house/workplace in city roads so I'm sure the S/S stays OFF.

Yesterday and once earlier it also cancelled itself in city, after ~30 seconds...it is rarely but happens. It was set to 55 km/h.

Things I tried to make the "cancel" happen:

-kickking the brake pedal from sideways ("testing" brake pedal switch)

-slightly turn the switch on the lever towards "CANCEL"

-turning on/off ESC system in the menu

...and nothing happened. The "self cancel" happened even with ESC off.

I noticed (and my colleagues too) that the car looses speed very fast on highway when this happens. The car almost "jumps".

If you switch to "CANCEL" by hand this is slower.

I think this is a software error or the cc system gets some wrong signal from somewhere.

Hopefully they'll find it.....I asked for a mobile device plugged into my car to see what's happening but no answer till now.

This is good info, thanks.  Mine's going in for inspection in 3 days.  It would be very helpful if you could PM me the VIN numbers from the 3 cars so the dealer has something to reference.  I will do likewise if it helps you.

[aki78]

This is good info, thanks.  Mine's going in for inspection in 3 days.  It would be very helpful if you could PM me the VIN numbers from the 3 cars so the dealer has something to reference.  I will do likewise if it helps you.

TMBJJ7NE4E0147167 - this is my VIN

Hopefully I can tell you the other 2 VIN tomorrow.

New record: the last two day (320 km on highway) the cc worked well, no self cancel. Maybe the warmer weather (15-20 C instead of 0-10)?

My total kms so far: 6000.

By the way did you notice how slowly accelerates the cc when resumes? Today I measured 10 seconds from 140 to 150 km/h. This is a joke.

My previous car (Golf mk5 with manual transmission) made it much much faster...

...or is it a "feature" with DSG?

[themanwithnoaim]

Are all the affected cars DSG diesels ? if so, is this cc cancel error coming from a coasting error when in Eco Mode, another known problem with the diesel.

 

Regards

T

[Smeghead]

Mine's a TDI DSG but never been used in Eco mode other than for about 2 mins once and I hated it.  I tend to use Normal all the time.  I tried Sport a couple of times but it revs too much before changing if you're not on the gas.  

 

Is there a way to change when the DSG changes up, by the way?  Normal changes gear a little too early for my liking (what I would call Eco if I didn't know better) and Sport is probably OK if you are giving it the berries but not good for mixed driving.  IMO  Normal should be a little more sporty than it is now, Eco where Normal is and Sport... er.... ????.

[aki78]

Are all the affected cars DSG diesels ? if so, is this cc cancel error coming from a coasting error when in Eco Mode, another known problem with the diesel.

 

Regards

T

All our 3 cars are 2.0 CR-TDIs with DSG.

I never used ECO mode so far.

I tried Sport, but I use only when needed.

A also tried Individual, and the cc self cancel happened, too.

99% I use Normal mode.

[aki78]

Mine's a TDI DSG but never been used in Eco mode other than for about 2 mins once and I hated it.  I tend to use Normal all the time.  I tried Sport a couple of times but it revs too much before changing if you're not on the gas.  

 

Is there a way to change when the DSG changes up, by the way?  Normal changes gear a little too early for my liking (what I would call Eco if I didn't know better) and Sport is probably OK if you are giving it the berries but not good for mixed driving.  IMO  Normal should be a little more sporty than it is now, Eco where Normal is and Sport... er.... ????.

DSG is new for me...and I'm still learning it.

And the DSG learns my style

They said, this will happen, and I can say it is true.

If you kick hard it will react faster (for a while).

I also noticed it learns fast but also forgets fast. If you drive like a my grandfather it reacts slower.

You can search the net for "DSG tricks" you'll find some things. For example accelerator pedal kicking before you need a fast gearing back.

(As I know the DSG system is also s/w programmable, there are specialists for that).

Ooops, this topic is about cruise control...so yours also accelerates so slowly...?

[andyvee]

Just for the record, CR150 DSG and no issues with CC, but plenty of other issues.......

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

[Smeghead]

DSG is new for me...

 

so yours also accelerates so slowly...?

Me too and yes, too slow  when you want instant acceleration.  

[Smeghead]

..... no issues with CC, but plenty of other issues.......

 

Oooh 'eck :(

[Smeghead]

TMBJJ7NE4E0147167 - this is my VIN

 

Thanks. Mine's TMBKK9NE8E0133253

[andyvee]

Yep, ongoing with SUK and the dealer. Monday is last chance saloon as it goes in for a service, software update on Columbus and a reoccurring issue with Start Stop. The small matter of the trim they have damaged whilst fixing the wiring loom behind the dash will have to wait until parts become available.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling