Super Cruise 101: Everything You Need to Know About GM’s Hands-Free Driving System
GM’s Vision for Smarter Driving
General Motors (GM) is at the forefront of revolutionizing the driving experience. The company envisions a future where driving is smarter, more convenient, and accessible to everyone. With advancements in hands-free driving technology, GM aims to enhance comfort and reduce the stress of everyday commutes and long road trips.
One of GM’s most groundbreaking innovations is Super Cruise, the world’s first truly hands-free driver assistance technology, introduced in 2017. Over the years, Super Cruise has undergone continuous enhancements, expanding its availability to more drivers, vehicle models, and roadways. Today, this state-of-the-art system is offered on over 20 models from Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC, with even more to come in the future.
By the end of 2025, Super Cruise is expected to be available on approximately 750,000 miles of roads across the U.S. and Canada. One of its standout features—unmatched in the industry—is its ability to function while towing a trailer on properly equipped vehicles, providing an added layer of convenience for those who frequently tow boats, campers, or other trailers.
How Super Cruise Works
Super Cruise leverages a combination of advanced technologies to enable hands-free driving under specific conditions. These include:
- Real-time cameras
- Computers and sensors
- GPS data
- Precision maps
By utilizing Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) as its foundation, Super Cruise automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead. The system only functions on compatible roads, ensuring an optimal balance of convenience and safety.
Driver Attention System
Despite being a hands-free system, Super Cruise still requires an attentive driver. GM has implemented a Driver Attention System that ensures drivers stay focused on the road. If inattentiveness is detected, the system initiates a series of alerts, including:
- Visual warnings on the instrument cluster
- Haptic feedback (if equipped)
- Audio alerts
In cases where the driver fails to respond, Super Cruise can gradually bring the vehicle to a controlled stop, activate the hazard lights, and initiate an OnStar call to provide assistance.
Automatic and Manual Lane Changes
On properly equipped vehicles, Super Cruise can execute automatic lane changes, allowing the vehicle to pass slower-moving traffic or merge seamlessly when a lane is ending. Additionally, drivers can initiate a lane change manually by activating the turn signal, and the system will check for blind spots before executing the maneuver.
A Collaborative Driving Experience
Super Cruise is designed to work alongside the driver, rather than replacing them. If a driver needs to make slight adjustments—such as shifting slightly within a lane to avoid a pothole—they can do so, and the system will automatically resume control once the maneuver is complete.
Additionally, Super Cruise slows down or stops for traffic when necessary. If the driver wants to take back full control, they can do so by either disabling the system or lightly tapping the brake pedal.
How to Use Super Cruis
Activating Super Cruise is a simple three-step process:
- Turn on Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Press the ACC button on the steering wheel to enable cruise control and take your feet off the pedals.
- Wait for System Confirmation: When Super Cruise determines that all conditions are met (compatible road, clear lane markings, GPS available, and driver paying attention), the Super Cruise symbol will illuminate white on the instrument cluster.
- Engage Super Cruise: Press the Super Cruise button on the steering wheel. When the steering wheel light turns green, the system is fully engaged, and the driver can remove their hands from the wheel.
Understanding Super Cruise Alerts
- Flashing blue steering wheel light: The driver is steering manually. Stay centered in the lane until the light turns green, signaling that Super Cruise has resumed control.
- Flashing red steering wheel light: Immediate driver intervention is required. This could be due to poor visibility of lane markings, construction zones, or the driver not paying attention.
- Disengaging Super Cruise: Drivers can exit Super Cruise mode at any time by either pressing the Super Cruise button or tapping the brake pedal.
Continuous Improvement and Expanding Capabilities
GM is committed to continuously enhancing Super Cruise to ensure its reliability, accuracy, and availability on more roadways.
Google Maps Integration
Some Super Cruise-equipped vehicles feature Google Maps integration, displaying which portions of a planned route are Super Cruise-enabled. This feature allows drivers to anticipate where they can engage hands-free driving and estimate how much of their trip can be completed without manual steering.
Hands-Free Trailering
For those who frequently tow trailers, Super Cruise offers Hands-Free Trailering on select vehicles. This unique capability adjusts for the size, weight, and turning radius of the attached trailer, allowing for safe, hands-free driving even when towing.
Expanding Road Coverage
GM is actively working to expand Super Cruise-enabled roadways across the U.S. and Canada. Each newly added road segment is made available to eligible vehicles through over-the-air software updates, ensuring drivers have access to the latest Super Cruise capabilities without needing a dealership visit.
Safety Reminders and Usage Requirements
While Super Cruise enhances driving convenience, it is crucial to remember that it is not an autonomous driving system. Drivers must remain attentive at all times and be prepared to take control when necessary.
Key safety reminders:
- Always pay attention to the road while using Super Cruise.
- Do not use a handheld device while driving.
- Super Cruise requires an active subscription plan or trial.
- Automatic Lane Change and Lane Change on Demand are not available while towing.
For more details on compatible roadways and vehicle eligibility, visit:
The Future of Hands-Free Driving
GM’s Super Cruise technology is redefining the driving experience by providing a hands-free system that prioritizes safety, convenience, and innovation. With its continuous expansion, increasing compatibility, and enhanced features like automatic lane changes and hands-free trailering, Super Cruise is paving the way toward a smarter and less stressful driving future.
Whether you’re commuting to work, embarking on a road trip, or towing heavy loads, Super Cruise is designed to make every journey more enjoyable. Keep an eye out as GM continues to push the boundaries of hands-free driving technology!
