Harsh Cruise Control?

[Q-V]

I drive a 2005 Sport (V6/5-speed auto) and just used the cruise control for the first time. I was surprised by its harsh behavior. Going up any hill or incline would cause unexpected, abrupt shifting. Also, if I slowed down from 65mph to 30/40mph, then re-engaged cruise control, the 4Runner would accelerate like a bat out of hell until it hit 65 again. I had to make sure there was a lot of distance between me and the car in front of me before engaging it.

I never experienced anything like this in my previous vehicle (99 Jeep TJ/Wrangler). It only had a 3-speed auto, yet its cruise control felt so much more refined and predictable. It would accelerate to the set speed smoothly and would go up and down hills without a hickup or any change in RPM.

Is this normal for 4Runners?

 

[tkr128]

Yup, that's normal. My 4Runner does it as well as our Corolla. Maybe it's a Toyota thing.

 

[Solice]

Yeah, mine does it too. I was a little surprised at first too. The reason your Jeep seemed smoother and shifted less is because it only had 3 gears, opposed to our 5. This way it's able to ride at a lower RPM then your previous Jeep at the same speed.

 

[gsr2is300]

I drive a 2005 Sport (V6/5-speed auto) and just used the cruise control for the first time. I was surprised by its harsh behavior. Going up any hill or incline would cause unexpected, abrupt shifting. Also, if I slowed down from 65mph to 30/40mph, then re-engaged cruise control, the 4Runner would accelerate like a bat out of hell until it hit 65 again. I had to make sure there was a lot of distance between me and the car in front of me before engaging it.

I never experienced anything like this in my previous vehicle (99 Jeep TJ/Wrangler). It only had a 3-speed auto, yet its cruise control felt so much more refined and predictable. It would accelerate to the set speed smoothly and would go up and down hills without a hickup or any change in RPM.

Is this normal for 4Runners?

This is one of the few complaints that I have about the 4Runner. I have had other cars that slowly increased the speed to resume the cruise control speed. I wonder if the Lexus GX470 does the same?

 

[tipotex]

Same here, 4Runner and Celica GT-S. Both will seemingly put the pedal to the floor when resuming cruise. I typically avoid that by getting close to the set speed on my own, then re-engage ...

 

[centex]

Lexus too Was trying to break it in easy. Found dont
use the cruise to do that

 

[AlexJet]

Same as mine. I was driving up north for this weekend. We had two vehicles: mine 4Runner and friends

 

[jharris2]

Same as mine. I was driving up north for this weekend. We had two vehicles: mine 4Runner and friends

 

[BenSD]

Same here, 4Runner and Celica GT-S. Both will seemingly put the pedal to the floor when resuming cruise. I typically avoid that by getting close to the set speed on my own, then re-engage ...

That's exactly what I do. Also, before I disengage the CC, I will hit the gas a little so it does not abruptly turn off.

 

[IIIBradIII]

I actually like it. I've always been a bit bothered by vehicles that took forever to resume to the set speed - I'd always end up giving it a little gas manually to help it along. My company Jeep does that. On the other hand though, that Jeep will also get away from me going up a hill and by the time I'm at the top and start going down it's 5+ mph over the set speed - good way to get a ticket!

And on a somewhat related note, anyone noticed that when the cruise is active, the Runner fights you if you press the accelerator? Sometimes it's necessary to accelerate momentarily above your set cruise speed, especially when some joker that you are about to pass decides to match your speed right when you pull in his blind spot, and that's when I notice the Runner fighting me. I've never noticed this on my Jeep or Honda.