Controls guide
ETS2 Cruise Control Guide: Speed, Hills, Retarder, and Safe Use
Learn when to use cruise control in ETS2, how to adjust speed, when to turn it off, and how it works with hills, traffic, and retarder use.
UpdatedJul 1, 2026
Read6 min
LevelBeginner
ByETS2Hub

Quick answer
Use cruise control in ETS2 on steady roads when traffic, weather, and curves are predictable. Set a safe speed, adjust it before hills or towns, and turn it off near junctions, tolls, cities, and delivery yards. Cruise control helps consistency, but it does not replace braking or route awareness.
Cruise control makes long ETS2 routes calmer, but it can also carry you too fast into hills, towns, toll booths, and traffic. Use it as a steady-road tool, not an autopilot.

When To Use It
Use cruise control on:
- Motorways.
- Long straight roads.
- Light traffic.
- Familiar routes.
- Jobs where steady speed matters more than fast acceleration.
Turn it off before cities, depots, tolls, sharp descents, and heavy traffic.
Map The Controls
Map:
- Cruise on/off.
- Increase speed.
- Decrease speed.
- Retarder increase/decrease.
- Service brake.

Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Leaving cruise on into cities | Turn it off early |
| Setting speed at the limit in rain | Leave safety margin |
| Ignoring hills | Lower speed before descents |
| Using cruise in tight traffic | Drive manually |
What To Read Next
Pair this with the Retarder and Engine Brake Guide and Traffic Fines Guide.
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