Adaptive cruise control works like regular cruise control if there are no vehicles around. It uses sensors and cameras to see the car in front and speed up and slow down with it. It can bring itself to a complete stop. It is not a self-driving system. The driver still needs to pay attention to the road and intervene if necessary, including controlling the steering or bringing the car to a complete stop if there is a traffic signal. Controls are on the left side of the steering wheel. Pushing one button turns the system on; that button will light up on the dash. This is the cancel button, but if you push and hold it, it switches to regular cruise. There is a button on the wheel that can adjust the following distance between you and the vehicle in front. Once you want to set your speed, you bump down to set the speed, and then bump up toward the plus to increase your set speed. If you need to resume because the car brought itself to a complete stop, or you had to hit the brake, bump up RES to resume. This is when it is most useful for heavy stop and go traffic on the freeway. Using the shortest following distance is best, so people don't just get in front of you. If I am out like on a longer drive and there's not very much traffic, then I may use one of the longer following distances. Be diligent and vigilant watching the road and ready to intervene. If you're using this on surface streets, this system does not read traffic lights or stop signs, so you need to manually control it. Also, if someone cuts you off from the side, it is important to hit the brakes and take control. In snowy or icy conditions, it is best not to use the adaptive cruise control system and always drive safely. The car will accelerate to keep up with the car in front of you, up to your maximum speed.
