What should be remembered is the on/off STATE of the thing - not the setting. I'm pretty sure that's what was meant. And for sure the indicator should not be when it is armed, but when it is engaged! In my honda, I'd just leave it "on" all the time, and only engage it when I wanted.
I believe what was meant was that: after being at a dead stop; accelerating normally (using accelerator); then once achieving "activation speed" (~ 25 mph); setting RESUME will allow CC to take control again and bring car back up to it's previously set speed.
The way my Honda Odyssey works is this. It remembers the last set speed until the engine is shut off. However when coming to a full stop one can't reengage the cruise until the car speed is over about 20-25mph. At that point it will resume the last set speed. This is very handy when driving on roads with traffic signals placed far enough apart to make use of the CC. I regularly drive 25 miles one way where about 10 miles of it is at 40 or 45 mph with signals placed 1/2 to 1 mile apart. In this case if the car would remember the last set speed and I could reengage at 25 mph it would be very handy - as in the Honda. The Prius forces me to watch my speed and re-set the speed when I get back up to the speed I wish. It's just a bother. I wish there was a way to reprogram the control to my desired modes of operation. If it were up to me I'd want to hit the cruise from a stop and have the car resume the last set speed.
You know what I find more annoying? The cruise control in my work car, a Holden Commodore (GM) which requires I take a hand off the steering wheel to twist the end of the indicator stalk to set the speed, increase or decrease the setting. How stupid is that? It can not be done with one finger like my wonderful Toyota Prius!!
I haven't tested all other models...seems like so on Honda and Nissan. It was not the case on my '06 VW Jetta. Of course, I wasn't as interested in mpgs at that point!
This doesn't only apply to Toyotas since I have the same problem in my girlfriend's Honda, but does anyone find it annoying that the cruise control lever is on the right side of the steering wheel, while all the other steering wheel mounted buttons are on the left side? (I have a base model) Especially when combined with the uncomfortable center armrest, I would much rather do all my cruising with my left hand resting on the driver side armrest, so that I can control speeds, the car, audio and temperature with just one hand. It seems like most of the cars I look at have CC on the right side though - is there a reason for this?
The strangest thing about the Prius' cruise control (at least on mine) is that it does not move the accelerator pedal. When you engage the control and release foot pressure, the pedal comes all the way up to its resting position. When a little extra speed is needed the accelerator pedal must sometimes be depressed considerably before the vehicle reacts, and even in polite driving situations the extra delay is unwelcome. This is probably a safety issue, however minor it may seem to some people. All other vehicles I have owned with CC always kept the accelerator pedal depressed to the current "throttle" positon. If you depressed it further you would immediately go faster. Not so with the Prius. Also, I have found the CC stick, which seems to be pretty convenient while driving, can interfere with my knees on entry and exit from the vehicle if the steering wheel position has the stick pointing downward.
Is there a mileage advantage in the Prius using cruise control? I almost never use it on my cars--but I don't take long trips more than 150 miles or so.
This is because all of your other vehicles used a crude servo motor system for throttle input from the cruise control. The Prius uses drive by wire for the throttle system, so it would be silly to use a motor to move the pedal. Tom
While signing my paperwork for mine, to be delivered this week (supposedly), they first printed the wrong VIN car but same package 2 (and same price). It stated: "Pkg 2 includes: vehicle stab, Dynamic Laser Cruise" under the additional equipment section of the P&S. As this isn't listed as a separate Prius option either stand alone or in a package, I figured it is the standard cruise system. I had no idea the Prius uses this system that adjusts your position relative to the car ahead of you so that you don't get too close. What are the distance settings and how well does it work. On another note, I agree if the pedal doesn't move with the relative throttle position, that is very very annoying. The reason is obvious, but its just doesn't feel right.
Totally know what you mean about the cruise control lever disappearing when you turn the steering wheel, or better yet, park with the wheel turned. Sure enough, the next day I'll get in and want to pull the lever for my EV activation, then I'm like, "Hey! Where's my CC lever?"