How well does the Adaptive Cruise Control work?

It works better than the auto-dimming headlight feature.

 

Yes definitely. This is in the owners manual, but a quick press of the button results in DRCC, but holding the button in for a few seconds, will then enable classic cruise control, and yes, you notice the different symbols in the dash, signifying which one is on.

 

Yes, I heard about this TSB, but I think it completely disables the entire TSS system and not just DRCC. I actually like the PCS part of it, but just hate the DRCC module. And I DO have the aftermarket TRD Pro grill, and the PCS system has worked fine since turning over 6000 miles. I now have just over 32,000 miles.

 

The adaptive cruise is excellent and I use it a lot. It helps me to dislike the transmission all the more since I'm not pushing the gas peddle as much.

For two lane roads I leave it set at 3 (the default), and usually 1 on the highway when other vehicles are around me. Unfortunately my 2018 4Runner doesn't have it.

 

Yeah, it does have its quirks. But it is much better than earlier systems. The earlier systems would slam on the brakes when another car merged into your lane just in front of you. Toyota's is at least smart enough to know not to do that. My biggest complaint is that it will stay locked on to a vehicle that moved over one lane, into a turn lane for instance, and will start applying your brakes as the other vehicle slows down. But I've learned to either press on the gas or turn off CC temporarily to avoid that.

 

I like it.
I would never use it in traffic which usually isn't a problem here.
I use the largest gap setting because I like that bubble of space around me.
Like others, I'll momentarily turn it off to get around slower vehicles. Its a little harsh on dropping gears to get back up to speed as fast as possible.

As far as the system goes, I feel it works well.

 

I love it and use it a lot on the highway. One thing my fiance's Subaru does that I wish Toyota would adopt is allow it to speed up when you signal for a lane change. For instance, we will be following someone in her Subaru with speed set at 70mph, car ahead is only doing 65mph so it slows down. However, as soon as I turn on the turn signal it begins to accelerate before I move into the next travel lane. Super nice on a 12hr drive to Florida.

 

The only time I use the cc is on interstate it does work as described slows the truck down when traffic is moving slower then the set speed. It has 3 settings but I find the lowest setting starts slowing down too soon.
For me personally I don’t like the adaptive function and turn it off whenever I use cc. I think I just prefer old school cruise control

 

When using CC and the RPM's are reving high you can tap the gas pedal and it will switch the gears and drop your RPM's while maintaing your set CC speed.

 

That's been my experience ^^. Not a fan. It'll accelerate hard to get up to speed or while climbing a hill, then when it gets in range sensing a slower vehicle it will slam on the brakes. It would be a much better system if it would ease off the throttle to slow rather than brake hard.

I had a Sienna minivan rental on vacation a couple years back which had a much better system. We'd be cruising on the interstate with cruise set at 75, and look down and realize we were going 65. WTH? We'd gotten behind a slower vehicle and not even noticed the minivan slowing to match its speed. That was annoying in itself but not nearly as annoying as the hard braking and accelerating.

Thanks to those who pointed out you can turn the adaptive cruise off. I'll definitely be trying that.

 

That's about my opinion as well. I have an MT so no complaints about the auto trans (I traded my 2017 AT for a 2018 MT Pro). I use in on long trips on the freeway only, but often switch to the standard CC often when the traffic gets thick.

 

Just used this for the first time on a 14 hour drive. I absolutely love the adaptive cruise. I was amazed at how well this works on my 2018. I did turn it off in stop and go traffic, but at highway cruising speeds this works amazingly well. For me this is game changing on long highway drives.

 

Yep, I made a 600 mile mostly interstate round trip last month and the adaptive cruise is a game changer one you learn when to use it and to momentarily disable it when passing a slower car to avoid revving high, makes for a much more relaxed drive!

 

Frankly, I would rather my new Tacoma didn't have cruise control. It's just a waste as far as I'm concerned. I've never used it when available, and I would never use it.

At my age (I'm 75), staying alert while driving is very important. One way to stay alert is to maximize driver input. That's why I'm a fan of the manual transmission, and not a fan of cruise control.

 

Although I highly prefer cruise control for long trips, you have a point that these driving aids give us the reason to pay less attention to driving.

 

Overall I like it and use it for highway driving with moderate traffic.

Similar to what other people have said, it can accelerate hard when people change out of your lane and will also brake hard when someone cuts in front.

I like the ability to change the distance between cars.

The biggest problem I have is when it slows down for cars in front of me gradually and I don’t realize I’m going 5-10mph under the limit for a while..


Update: I just finished another 2,000 mile trip and as others mentioned, when a car changes out of your lane it accelerates hard and tends to stay in 4th gear for way longer than if you were accelerating yourself. It’s a little annoying

 

Disagree. Adaptive cruise is much less fatiguing on long drives. You’re safer being less fatigued and able to react than you are getting tired from constant reactions and adjustments to speed.

 

I drove a new Toyota Corolla rental with the adaptive cruise about 3 to 4 years ago. I loved it! It was very smooth with no braking or hard acceleration.

I hate the Adaptive CC on my new Tacoma. Way too aggressive!

 

Probably, but the smallest gap at 80mph is big enough for a semi to feel comfortable changing lanes into ...

 

when it hangs in a gear too long, which seems like just about always, if you blip the throttle (and you’re at speed and on level road) it will drop to 6th. It will stay in 4th at like 3500-4000rpm for 15-20 seconds while maintaining the set speed before it eventually shifts, or blip the throttle as soon as you hit your speed and it will instantly drop from 3500 to 2100.

I can easily get 2mpg better driving myself than I do with ACC, but it is nice to set it and not have to worry about creeping too fast, and it maintaining distance behind the car ahead of you.