Speed Control: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The TCM (on SBEC vehicles) (PCM on NGC vehicles) first senses that the speed control is set. If the set speed is exceeded by more than 4 mph (6.5 km/hr) and the throttle is closed, the TCM (on SBEC vehicles) (PCM on NGC vehicles) causes the transaxle to downshift to THIRD gear. After downshifting, the automatic speed control resumes normal operation. To ensure that an upshift is appropriate after the set speed is reached, the TCM (on SBEC vehicles) (PCM on NGC vehicles) waits until the speed control system opens the throttle at least 6 degrees before upshifting to OVERDRIVE again.

If the driver applies the brakes, canceling automatic speed control operation with the transaxle still in THIRD gear, the TCM (on SBEC vehicles) (PCM on NGC vehicles) maintains this gear until the driver opens the throttle at least 6 degrees to avoid an inappropriate upshift. The upshift is also delayed for 2.5 seconds after reaching the 6 degrees throttle opening in anticipation that the driver might open the throttle enough to require THIRD gear. This will avoid unnecessary and disturbing transmission cycling. If the automatic speed control RESUME feature is used after braking, the upshift is delayed until the set speed is achieved to reduce cycling and provide better response.

When speed control is activated by depressing the ON switch, the PCM allows a set speed to be stored in RAM for speed control. To store a set speed, depress and release the SET switch while the vehicle is moving at a speed between 30 and 85 mph. In order for the speed control to engage, the brakes cannot be applied, nor can the gear selector be indicating the transmission is in Park or Neutral (ATX) or 1st/2nd gear (MTX). The speed control can be disengaged manually by:

Stepping on the brake pedal
Depressing the OFF switch
Depressing the CANCEL switch.
Depressing the clutch pedal
Operating in 1st or 2nd gear (autostick, if equipped)

NOTE: Turning the system off by depressing the OFF switch or turning off the ignition switch will erase the set speed stored in the PCM.

For added safety, the speed control system is programmed to disengage for any of the following conditions:

An indication of Park or Neutral
A rapid increase RPM (indicates that the clutch has been disengaged)
Excessive engine RPM (indicates that the transmission may be in a low gear)
The speed signal increases at a rate of 10 mph per second (indicates that the coefficient of friction between the road surface and tires is extremely low)
The speed signal decreases at a rate of 10 mph per second (indicates that the vehicle may have decelerated at an extremely high rate)
If the actual speed is greater than 20 mph over the set speed.
Autostick shifts into 1st or 2nd gear (autostick, if equipped)

Once the speed control has been disengaged, depressing the RESUME switch when speed is greater than 20 mph allows the vehicle to resume control to the target speed that was stored in the PCM.

While the speed control is engaged, the driver can increase the vehicle speed by depressing the ACCEL switch. The new target speed is stored in the PCM when the ACCEL switch is released. The PCM also has a "tap-up" feature in which target speed increases by 2 mph for each momentary switch activation of the ACCEL switch. The PCM also provides a means to decelerate to a new lower target speed without disengaging speed control. Depress and hold the COAST switch until the desired speed is reached, then release the switch.

The PCM also has a "Tap Down" feature in which target speed decreases at 1 mph for each momentary switch activation of the coast switch.