Hello! Just wondered if someone could give me a quick answer to what could be a silly question

 

Can I fit cruise control to my 63 fabia vrs?

 

If so could I do it myself? What would I need to buy? And if I can't do it myself does anyone know how much it would approximately be?

 

Thanks! Luke

I had it fitted by the dealer as part of a deal so didn't pay. They advertise it in the accessories brochure at something like £179, not sure if that is fitted or not. I believe it is just a different left stalk and some programming. They told me it took them nearly a day to sort out...

Yup. New left stalk and vcds programming i think.

This might help:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/272718-retrofit-cruise-control-fabia-2/

It is both stalks that need to be replaced

 

Also it requires a wiring harness with 5x wires from the steering plug to the BCM

with 1x wire to the ECU which is protected with anti-tamper bolts that need to be cut off

 

It is not a job for someone with limited skill

 

I've done 2x now, and it is a PITA compared to other models like the Octavia, Golf etc

Many Fabias MK2 can be fitted with cruise control if not all but first you need to check whether your Comfort ECU supports Cruise Control - if not then you first got to purchase a new one and they are not cheap if new. Other then that the installation of the Cruise control unit itself can be done by a skilled car electrician as the manual is very clear on how you need to install it. 

What do people feel about cruise control?  I used it many years ago on a Saab Convertible and have had it on cars I have driven in the the USA & Canada and absolutely hated it, I always felt that it made driving too soporific.  I really can't see much point to it in the UK and to be honest, I consider it to be dangerous.

What do people feel about cruise control?  I used it many years ago on a Saab Convertible and have had it on cars I have driven in the the USA & Canada and absolutely hated it, I always felt that it made driving too soporific.  I really can't see much point to it in the UK and to be honest, I consider it to be dangerous.

 

I use mine where there is (hpefully) not going to be a need for major changes of speed i.e. motorways and A-roads but usually I prefer the choice of planting the right foot (where applicable)!

it is great when you drive in an average speed camera area

I use mine to and from work every day! 70 miles on the M4 each way at 60-65mph (5:30am going... and 4pm coming home!) 

 

Makes for a much less stressful journey!

Might get it fitted to mine at some point. Seems a good idea .

+1 for Cruise, I use mine whenever I get the opportunity . I even set off very early if I'm doing a motorway journey just to have the road to myself and use Cruise. Love it!

What do people feel about cruise control?  I used it many years ago on a Saab Convertible and have had it on cars I have driven in the the USA & Canada and absolutely hated it, I always felt that it made driving too soporific.  I really can't see much point to it in the UK and to be honest, I consider it to be dangerous.

 

Absolutely love it and wouldn't buy a car without it nowadays. With the proliferation of speed cameras I find it the easiest method of ensuring you stay within limits. As for your comment about cruise control being dangerous, almost everything on a car is safe if operated properly. If something is unsafe it tends to be because the person operating it is doing so in an unsafe manner.

Cruise control is great,you just need to get used to using it.

Using cruise control doesn't cause sleepiness on long journeys but failing to keep you eyes moving scanning front ,sideways and the three mirrors won't help.

If you are still sleepy you need to park up and sleep!!

I wouldn't buy a car without cruise control. Use it everyday on my motorway commute.

 

I find the little rocker on the Fabia's stalk a little fiddly but the BMW's controls on the steering wheel aren't much better. The Passat has a big separate stalk and you can preprogram speeds in then engage them. Much easier.

 

I'll be looking for Radar Adaptive Cruise on my next car.

 

Cheers

Lee

I find the little rocker on the Fabia's stalk a little fiddly but the BMW's controls on the steering wheel aren't much better. The Passat has a big separate stalk and you can preprogram speeds in then engage them. Much easier.

 

Ford have the cruise controls on the steering wheel and are easily operated by the thumb; works very well and much easier than the Fabia's stalk.

Ford have the cruise controls on the steering wheel and are easily operated by the thumb; works very well and much easier than the Fabia's stalk.

 

Yep Ford have big cruise buttons which are good. The BMW's have little fiddly buttons and tiny rocker switches on the steering wheel. And if you hit the rocker and knock 10mph of your desired speed the cars slams the brakes on!

 

Cheers

Lee

My only criticism of the Fabia or VW system (if they are all the same) is that when you deactivate it, for example have it set at 70mph, then get on to a slower road, press the up or + button to reactivate it, it suddenly wants to take you back up to 70mph. It's probably just me not being used to it but it took a week or so to get used to after the much easier Fiat set up with a 3rd stalk. I've learnt now to hold the - button instead or press the + but hold it for a few seconds to reset the new speed.

Edited 10 March, 201412 yr by austenw90

On VW's with separate stalk pulling the stalk towards you will resume to the previous speed, pressing the end of the stalk programs in the new speed, pushing the stalk away disengages cruise.

 

When using cruise pulling the stalk towards you increases speed by 1mph, pushing the stalk up increases speed by 5mph, pushing the stalk down decreases speed by 5mph. Pushing the stalk up and holding it increases speed until you release, holding the stalk down decreases speed until you release it.

 

With cruise off you can program in a preset speed by flicking the stalk up or down, say program in 80mph when approaching motorway, a quick pull on the stalk and the car will accelerate up to the preset speed.

 

On downhill sections the dsg will change down to try and maintain a speed but ultimately you can exceed your programmed speed.

 

The BMW will apply the brakes if the car exceeds the programmed speed, I don't like this, it wastes fuel and other drivers think you are an idiot braking downhill and powering up the other side.

 

Cheers

Lee

My only criticism of the Fabia or VW system (if they are all the same) is that when you deactivate it, for example have it set at 70mph, then get on to a slower road, press the up or + button to reactivate it, it suddenly wants to take you back up to 70mph. It's probably just me not being used to it but it took a week or so to get used to after the much easier Fiat set up with a 3rd stalk. I've learnt now to hold the - button instead or press the + but hold it for a few seconds to reset the new speed.

 

It's way better in the current models than it used to be; in '04 Octavia 1.8T auto it would literally go to 100% to return you to the previously selected speed.