Autron Cruise In GU III Patrol - What's Normal?
Submitted: Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 08:30
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P.G. (Tas)
Hi all,
I had an Autron Cruise Control fitted to my GU III/manual/3.0 Patrol and I am not happy with its operation.
Having had cruise in two of my BA Falcons (drive by wire) the Autron unit is SLOW to react to changing conditions, ie when going up a steep
hill, it drops 10-15 kph before it kicks in and picks up the speed, then after you crest the top it will accelerate down the other side by about 10-15 kph before backing off the throttle.
In normal running the speed fluctuatates +/- 5kph at 80-90 kph.
The other thing I don't like is the operation of the steering wheel mounted control. I have a section of road I travel where I press the accelerate button on the steering wheel control and it takes better than 12 seconds to accelerate from 60 to 80 kph, and this is downhill! Using the accelerator it takes about 7 seconds.
I have returned the vehicle to the only authorised dealer in Southern Tasmania and the first time they changed the internal settings to the fastest possible, took it for a
test drive on the highway at 100 kph and it performed flawlessly, but on secondary roads between 60 and 90 kph it's terrible.
I have had the vehicle back a total of 3 times and they assure me it is getting full throttle when needed and intimated I am being podantic and saying there were no more settings to adjust.
What have been your experiences and what's my best course of action from here?
Cheers,
Peter
Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 08:43
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 08:43
Hi Peter,
I have the Autron cruise control on my manual 3.0TD and agree its slow to react. But I haven't been bothered by it enough to have any of the settings adjusted from standard. I find the speed doesn't fluctuate by more than +/- 2 km/hr unless its really hilly. But agree it takes off after cresting a steep
hill.
I have a Dtronic so this probably makes the engine more response and being in WA there is FAR more
long flat stretches where the cruise is simply holding a constant speed very
well. But I guess in Tassie you have far more hills than flat stretches and I suppose this could get annoying.
I suppose it all depends on how fussed you get. I don't mind touching the throttle going up a
hill, but the bit I don't like is the overshoot once crseting the
hill.
But having said that, I am very happy with it, would put it on again, and find it HEAPS better than the cruise (aftermarket) I had on my 80 series.
Cheers
Captain
AnswerID:
213356
Follow Up By: P.G. (Tas) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 08:50
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 08:50
G'day Captain,
I got used to driving by the steering wheel controls in the BA Falcons (6 & V8), and they were superb, very responsive. In comparison, the Autron feels like a dead, wet, sponge.
The engine doesn't lack power, the Autron just doesn't use it unless you are travelling everywhere at 100kph+.
Cheers,
Peter
FollowupID:
473670
Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 08:56
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 08:56
Hi Peter,
Its rare I engage my cruise under a 100 km/hr hence probbaly why I find it very good ;)
Compared to my wifes cruise control on the Trajet, which is very good, your descrition of a wet sponge is very adapt in comparison!!!
Cheers
Captain
FollowupID:
473672
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 09:32
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 09:32
I have had 2 BA's and the Autron on the Patrol 3.0 GU and the Falc cruise control is THE best I have ever driven with, I would
hazard a guess and say not to measure the Autron by the BA cruise. That said the Autron in the Patrol is very good, it reacts reasonably
well, better than the AP50 I had in the XW Falcon I used to adore, and it gets excited at the end of a big climb too and over compensates but its quite acceptable to me.
FollowupID:
473681
Follow Up By: Leroy - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 09:56
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 09:56
Agree with what's been said by Captain and Bozo....err Bonz! (ducking) as I also have the same vehicle with the cruise. It's heaps better than the cable pull POS that Nissan originally supplied but I certainly don't compare it with my factory fitted Crapolladore cruise.
I think you also have to remember that a falcon is a lighter car, more powerful motor etc and the patrol has to wind up a bit to move it's weight and as a result there is a bit of latency in the cruise's response when you crest hills etc. I have a dtronic and the characteristics of the cruise didn't change after fitting.
Just my 5c.....Leroy
FollowupID:
473689
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 09:58
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 09:58
I know where you live Leroy, dont ever forget that hehehehehe
Made me laugh out loud, thanx for that, the kids think I am more deranged than I was yesterday hahhaha
FollowupID:
473690
Follow Up By: Leroy - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 10:06
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 10:06
that's why I now have to move and go deep....deep....deep....under cover.....
Leory
FollowupID:
473699
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 10:10
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 10:10
It wont help I have a GPS tracker/transmitter just to
check on you, no-one else, oh
well Lucy too, in case he is in the vicinity threatening to drop by.
FollowupID:
473704
Follow Up By: P.G. (Tas) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 14:45
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 14:45
I guess what is sticking is my neck is the $800 I paid for this wonderful labour saving device that doesn't really save that much labour!!! NOT HAPPY !!!
FollowupID:
473778
Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 15:00
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 15:00
Just to make you feel better, I paid $500 installed - sorry :(
Cheers
Captain
FollowupID:
473788
Follow Up By: Leroy - Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 15:04
Friday, Jan 05, 2007 at 15:04
I now feel cheated at $600 Lol. Peter if its any consilation it works a treat on open roads like the Hume hwy so when you're over this way and travellling on it you will be prepared lol
Leroy
FollowupID:
473789