Something I discover accidentally

[NicoleLusts4BMW]

I was driving to work yesterday and I was in cruise control. I was coming up to a slower driver and wanted to simply reduce my cruise control through the steering wheel lever on the left. Well the driver decided to slow down (for what reason I will never know) which made me panic. So I pressed down and held the cruise lever trying to slow down quickly. While holding down the lever the car actually started to seem to brake. I not sure if anyone has discovered this or this is a normal part of the cruise control system. In either case I was glad it did slow the car down substantially. Just wanted to share with the community.

[southern6er22]

Interesting. Did it brake more than the 5 mph decrease that you get by going beyond the resistance point? I may have to play with that tomorrow - assuming traffic allows.

[itinj6]

The standard Cruise Control is labeled as "Dynamic Cruise Control.". Not sure what the "Dynamic" means but it may have some adapting capabilities.

Why didn't you just hit the brakes in a moment of panic?

[Dwn2Race]

Nothing new. My 2002 330ci can increase speed and decrease speed depending if im pushing the cruise control forward or backwards. And how does a car decrease speed(brakes).

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Dwn2Race

Nothing new. My 2002 330ci can increase speed and decrease speed depending if im pushing the cruise control forward or backwards. And how does a car decrease speed(brakes).

No, the E46 doesn't decelerate using the brakes via the cruise control stalk. It is a combination of engine braking, rolling resistance, and air resistance. These factors are the same ones that make you slow down if you lift off the throttle (aka coasting). It is very noticeable when the car is braking vs coasting.

OP: Yes the cruise control will brake for you if you hold down on the cruise control stalk. It is quite handy as it slows you down quickly without turning off cruise control.