Self-installed cruise control question

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Sean Elkins - 17 Aug 2007 02:54 GMT

I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really
need to install it. After all, I can't ever recall disengaging the
cruise by pushing the clutch in first---at the very least I would be
depressing the break at the same time wouldn't I?

Anybody aware of any real downside to just forgetting about the clutch
switch?

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Don Fearn - 17 Aug 2007 03:02 GMT

Sean Elkins <sean_elkins@yahoo.com> opin'd thus:

>I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
>speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Anybody aware of any real downside to just forgetting about the clutch
>switch?

OK, you're driving down the road with the cruise control engaged. You
decide you want to upshift or downshift. You push in the clutch pedal.
Your engine revs to past the redline. The engine is destroyed. Don't
you wish you had put the clutch switch in now??

Signature

Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off

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mrsteveo - 17 Aug 2007 04:03 GMT

> Sean Elkins <sean_elk...@yahoo.com> opin'd thus:
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> --
> Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off

Well, in addition to this...

You probably would be voiding the warranty of the item you bought.
You're also likely voiding any and all warranties that may be on the
car now too.

I would strongly suggest installing it whether you feel you need to or
not. Probably all kinds of safety implications by not installing it
that you, I, and/or anyone else in this newsgroup don't even know of.

Good luck, no matter which route you take. :)

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Sean Elkins - 18 Aug 2007 00:38 GMT

> Sean Elkins <sean_elkins@yahoo.com> opin'd thus:
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Your engine revs to past the redline. The engine is destroyed. Don't
> you wish you had put the clutch switch in now??

See, that's what I thought at first...but I'll be darned if I can ever
remember wanting to shift while the cruise was engaged that I didn't tap
the breaks first.

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Jeff Strickland - 17 Aug 2007 04:13 GMT

Yes, you need to install it. It's a fail-safe device that prevents the
engine from running sway if the Cruise is activated AND the clutch is
depressed.

Maybe YOU don't need the switch, but the moron you sell the car to that
comes up behind me and depresses the clutch, then lets it go when the engine
starts screaming will make me wish it was there. Install the switch.

>I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
> speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Anybody aware of any real downside to just forgetting about the clutch
> switch?

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mack - 17 Aug 2007 04:30 GMT

>I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
> speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Anybody aware of any real downside to just forgetting about the clutch
> switch?

I know I'll be sorry for asking this, but if you bought the Corolla new, why
on earth didn't you order it with a factory installed cruise control?

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Sean Elkins - 18 Aug 2007 00:43 GMT

> >I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
> > speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> I know I'll be sorry for asking this, but if you bought the Corolla new, why
> on earth didn't you order it with a factory installed cruise control?

Dunno why you would be sorry for asking.

Because of the way Toyota packages their options for the Corolla (CE vs.
LE) I would have had to pay $1000 more and get a bunch of options I
didn't want in order to get one with cruise. You can't just say "I want
the base model with a 5-speed and cruise control as the only option."

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Ray O - 17 Aug 2007 08:04 GMT

>I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
> speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Anybody aware of any real downside to just forgetting about the clutch
> switch?

As several people have mentioned, the clutch switch is needed to keep the
engine from over-revving or burning out the clutch when you re-engage the
clutch.

Factory cruise control systems have a switch on the clutch pedal, and it
comes in handy if you want to disengage the cruise without activating the
brake lights - just tap the clutch pedal enough to disengage the cruise.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

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Hachiroku ハチロク - 17 Aug 2007 10:41 GMT

> I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
> speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really need
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Anybody aware of any real downside to just forgetting about the clutch
> switch?

All the other people that answered this are just overly cautious.

Look at it this way: if you have the cruise control on, chances are the
only time you're going to depress the clutch is when a Bull Moose runs
into your path, and three things are going to happen:

1. You'll press the clutch pedal to the floor.
2. You'll press the brake pedal to the floor.
3. You'll end up with a Moose as your co-pilot:

http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_076135729.html

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mrsteveo - 17 Aug 2007 15:42 GMT

On Aug 17, 2:41 am, Hachiroku <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote:

> > I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
> > speed). It has a clutch switch with it, but I wonder if I even really need
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_076135729.html

You might have all kinds of insurance implications as well. I would
also venture to bet if you sold a vehicle with cruise control but
didn't note you failed to completely install it, you might have some
liability if someone were to wreck in the vehicle.

I think to save myself legal, liability, moral, and ethical issues
down the road, I would install it.

You don't want to be charged with criminally negligent homicide.

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Sean Elkins - 18 Aug 2007 00:40 GMT

> On Aug 17, 2:41 am, Hachiroku <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote:
> > > I bought one of the Rostra cruise control kits for my 07 Corolla (5
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> You don't want to be charged with criminally negligent homicide.

I'm not going to sell it, but I take your point.

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