Owner guide · Michigan City Hyundai · Michigan City, IN
Hyundai Smart Cruise Control (SCC) Explained
Smart Cruise Control is the Hyundai cruise control that keeps a set distance from the vehicle ahead, not just a set speed. This guide covers turning it on, the speed range, the four following distances, stop and go in traffic, when it cancels itself, and the limits Hyundai lists. It is based on the 2027 Tucson owner's manual, read October 26, 2026. SCC is listed "if equipped", and features vary by model, trim and year, so check the manual for your Hyundai.
0-110 mphoperating range with a vehicle ahead
4 distancesabout 82-172 ft. at 56 mph
20 mphlowest set speed
Driving Assist buttonturns it on and off
How does Hyundai Smart Cruise Control work?
Smart Cruise Control holds the speed you set and, when it detects a vehicle ahead with its front camera and radar, slows down to keep your chosen following distance, down to a stop in traffic. Press the Driving Assist button in D (Drive) to turn it on at your current speed. In the 2027 Tucson owner's manual it operates at 5-110 mph with no vehicle ahead and 0-110 mph with one, and the driver stays responsible for speed and distance.
What Smart Cruise Control does
The 2027 Tucson manual says Smart Cruise Control helps maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead. If there is no vehicle in front, your set speed is maintained; if there is one, your speed may decrease to keep the distance, and if that vehicle speeds up, yours accelerates back up to the set speed and then cruises steadily.
SCC uses two sensors, the front view camera and the front radar. The manual also describes Overtaking Acceleration Assist: when you turn on the left turn signal above 40 mph (60 km/h) with a vehicle detected ahead, SCC helps with accelerating, so the vehicle may speed up temporarily.
When Smart Cruise Control works
| Condition | Per the 2027 Tucson manual |
|---|---|
| Gear | D (Drive). |
| Speed, no vehicle ahead | 5-110 mph (10-180 km/h). |
| Speed, vehicle ahead | 0-110 mph (0-180 km/h). When stopped behind another vehicle, you can turn SCC on while pressing the brake pedal. |
| ESC and ABS | Electronic Stability Control or the Anti-Lock Braking System must be on. |
| It does not operate when | Engine RPM is high, the driver's door is open, the EPB is applied, ESC or ABS is controlling the vehicle, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist brake control is operating, or the hands-off warning for Lane Keeping Assist or Highway Driving Assist is on. |
If you press a SCC switch when these conditions are not met, "Smart Cruise Ctrl. conditions not met" appears and a warning sounds. From the 2027 Tucson owner's manual, read October 26, 2026.
Controls: set, change, pause, resume, off
| To do this | Do this |
|---|---|
| Turn on | Press the Driving Assist button. The set speed becomes your current speed; at 0-20 mph (0-30 km/h) it is set to 20 mph (30 km/h). |
| Raise set speed | Push the + switch up and release: +1 mph (1 km/h). Push and hold: +5 mph (10 km/h) steps, up to 110 mph (180 km/h). |
| Lower set speed | Push the - switch down and release: -1 mph (1 km/h). Push and hold: -5 mph (10 km/h) steps, down to 20 mph (30 km/h). |
| Pause | Press the cancel switch or press the brake pedal. |
| Resume | Push + or - to set your current speed, or press the resume switch to go back to the previous set speed. |
| Speed up briefly | Press the accelerator pedal; the set speed and distance blink on the cluster, and speed and distance are not controlled while you do. |
| Turn off | Press the Driving Assist button. With Manual Speed Limit Assist, press and hold it to turn SCC off; Manual Speed Limit Assist then turns on. |
Hyundai warns that speed may rise or fall sharply when you press resume or hold the + switch, so check the road first, and not to use the switches and buttons at the same time.
The four following distances
Press the distance button to cycle Distance 4 > 3 > 2 > 1 > 4. At 56 mph (90 km/h), the 2027 Tucson manual lists:
| Setting | About |
|---|---|
| Distance 4 | 172 ft. (52.5 m) |
| Distance 3 | 130 ft. (40 m) |
| Distance 2 | 106 ft. (30 m) |
| Distance 1 | 82 ft. (25 m) |
The last set distance is used after a restart or after SCC was temporarily canceled. Hyundai says to keep a safe distance for road conditions and speed; too close a headway at high speed can lead to a serious collision.
Stop and go in traffic
In traffic, the manual says your vehicle stops if the vehicle ahead stops, and starts again if the vehicle ahead starts moving. After the vehicle has been stopped for a certain time, the message "Use switch or pedal to accelerate" appears; press the accelerator pedal or operate the +, - or resume switch to start driving.
Hyundai also warns not to open a door or leave the vehicle while SCC is operating, even when stopped. If SCC is canceled while the vehicle is stopped with the function on, the EPB may be applied.
When SCC cancels itself
The 2027 Tucson manual says SCC is temporarily canceled automatically when the speed is above 120 mph (190 km/h), the vehicle is stopped for a certain period, the accelerator pedal is held down for a certain period, or the operating conditions are no longer met. The message "Smart Cruise Control deactivated" appears and a warning sounds, and the distance to the vehicle ahead is no longer maintained, so brake as needed.
If snow, rain or foreign material covers the front radar cover or sensor, SCC can be limited or disabled and "Driver Assistance system limited. Radar blocked." appears; it works again once the material is removed. If SCC is not working properly, "Check Driver Assistance system." appears with a warning light, and Hyundai says to have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealer.
Adjusting how SCC drives
With the engine on, go to Setup > Vehicle > Driver Assistance > Driving Convenience > Smart Cruise Control on the infotainment system to change the vehicle distance, the acceleration and the reaction speed manually. The manual notes the vehicle must be driven enough to reflect the driver's actual style, and in snow, rain, fog or on steep slopes it may not drive according to your style.
Limits and warnings Hyundai lists
| Topic | What the manual says |
|---|---|
| Driver responsibility | SCC does not substitute for proper and safe driving; the driver must always check the speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead, and set the speed under the speed limit. |
| Curves and hills | On curves or slopes, SCC may not detect a vehicle in your lane and may accelerate to the set speed, then slow sharply when the vehicle is detected. |
| Cut-ins and lane changes | A vehicle cutting in suddenly, or vehicles changing lanes often, can delay SCC or make it react to a vehicle in the next lane. |
| Weather and sensors | Heavy rain or snow, thick fog, a dirty or obstructed windshield or sensor, glare, and very bright or dark conditions can affect operation. |
| Places | Tunnels, iron bridges, interchanges, tollbooths, parking lots, construction zones, roundabouts and slippery roads are among the situations listed. |
| Towing | Turn SCC off when towing a trailer or another vehicle, and when your vehicle is being towed. |
| When not in use | Keep SCC off when you are not using it, to avoid setting a speed by accident. |
Shortened from the Smart Cruise Control warnings and limitations in the 2027 Tucson owner's manual; the manual's full list is longer.
Michigan City Hyundai service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Saturday | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
From Michigan City Hyundai's website, October 27, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Smart Cruise Control questions
What is Hyundai Smart Cruise Control?
Per the 2027 Tucson owner's manual, Smart Cruise Control (SCC) helps maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead. It uses the front view camera and front radar.
How do I turn on Smart Cruise Control in a Tucson?
Press the Driving Assist button. The speed is set to the current speed on the instrument cluster; if you are going 0-20 mph (0-30 km/h) when you press it, the set speed is 20 mph (30 km/h). The gear must be in D (Drive).
What speeds does Smart Cruise Control work at?
The 2027 Tucson manual lists 5-110 mph (10-180 km/h) with no vehicle in front, and 0-110 mph (0-180 km/h) with a vehicle in front. You can set the speed between 20 mph (30 km/h) and 110 mph (180 km/h).
Will Smart Cruise Control stop and go in traffic?
Yes. The manual says your vehicle stops if the vehicle ahead stops and starts again if it starts moving. After the vehicle has been stopped for a certain time, "Use switch or pedal to accelerate" appears; press the accelerator pedal or operate the +, - or resume switch to start driving.
How do I change the following distance?
Press the distance button repeatedly to cycle Distance 4 > 3 > 2 > 1 > 4. At 56 mph (90 km/h), the manual lists about 172 ft. (52.5 m) for Distance 4, 130 ft. (40 m) for Distance 3, 106 ft. (30 m) for Distance 2 and 82 ft. (25 m) for Distance 1.
Can I use Smart Cruise Control while towing?
No. The 2027 Tucson manual says to turn off Smart Cruise Control when you are towing a trailer or another vehicle, and when your vehicle is being towed.
Seeing a Driver Assistance warning?
If "Check Driver Assistance system." appears, Hyundai says to have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealer. Visit Michigan City Hyundai at 625 US 20 in Michigan City, IN, or schedule service online.
Sources
Smart Cruise Control operation, speeds, distances, controls, settings, messages and limits are from the 2027 Tucson owner's manual, read October 26, 2026. Other models and years can differ, so the manual for your Hyundai is the final word. Address and hours are from Michigan City Hyundai's own website. Image: Hyundai Motor America.
- 2027 Tucson Owner's Manual: Smart Cruise Control settings, operation, display, malfunction and limitations, Hyundai Motor America, read October 26, 2026
- Hyundai owner's manuals and warranties (manual downloads), Hyundai Motor America, read October 26, 2026
- Tucson (image), Hyundai Motor America, October 27, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Hyundai, October 27, 2026
- Hyundai service center at Michigan City Hyundai, Michigan City Hyundai, October 27, 2026
