DaveORD
Member
I've seen several references to the regen braking and using 'low' in slippery conditions. I'm a little confused about this. In slippery conditions, you mainly slide when applying the brakes (or cornering). Regen isn't doing this, just slowing the car using the motor(s), right? So why would you be concerned about slipping if you're not actually braking?
Slowing down via braking or regen is the same when it comes to tires meeting the road and trying to stop. Regen is braking by not using your brake pads and rotors, but by using the motor as a generator. Both have the same effect to apply a force to slow down the wheels. With the brake pedal at least you can modulate and control how much or little to apply the brakes, as everybody who has driven an ICE knows. However when the regen kicks in you have next to no control over that process, it is linked to how much you lift off the accelerator, so lift a little and a little regen kicks in, lift all the way suddenly to react to something and it would be like jamming on your brakes, depending on the battery temp and state of charge. Hopefully it is as good as anti-lock brakes if that ever happens.
Regen works very well when there is great traction between tire and road. When that traction starts to go away, as with standing water or snow or ice, strong regen is not the best choice and it could get you into trouble. That is why we want the low setting for winter time or wet weather so we can coast and apply as much brake as we feel safe doing. Sure we do not get some power back, but in the winter regen may not be worth much anyway if the battery is too cold. I'd give up that little bit of energy return for more control over slowing down when traction may not be ideal. I have almost 40 years experience driving an ICE, and less than 6 months with a BEV and regen. I'd like to stick with something I am comfortable with for the first winter or so, no surprises.
The first thing they teach you to do if you hydro plane is what? Ease off the accelerator and coast to gain back control, do not apply the brakes. Well with strong regen, if you hydro plane and lift off the accelerator, what is going to happen when regen kicks in? It would be like hitting the brakes.
I want that low setting, and I'm glad that my MY is old enough to maintain and have it, so I can switch back and forth depending on road conditions.