Yes more regen is great. Go BMW. The Active-E is a VERY good looking car(I like the looks better than the Model S), that is the perfect size, BUT the range and performance are huge dealbreakers. Not to mention it's an ICE platform that is not available for sale. The Bmw I-vehicles are very ugly, IMO.
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Model S regen
- Thread starter Doug_G
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- Driving Dynamics Model S
SByer
'08 #383
In the Roadster, the input cap is what...85kW? What that means is that at speeds above ~40mph, the regen gets 'weaker and weaker'. At about 70mph, it's about the same as the engine breaking on the 911 I had. Under 30mph(?), the car starts reducing the power it's pulling, the curve seems fairly natural, but this is where those of us who want stronger regen would really like a steeper curve (plus, I think we'd all like more on the max input - but that is likely battery limited and can't be changed). While I very, very rarely 'goof up' anymore and need to use the friction brakes above 5mph, it still occasionally happens.
The way the regen kicks in once past the zero point of the go pedal is just as extremely smooth and natural as on the other side - smoother than any engine braking ever was. It's awesome for freeway traffic. And city streets. And you quickly get into asymmetric hypermiling - slowing down purely by regen, speeding up by stomping.
gg_got_a_tesla
Model S: VIN 65513, Model 3: VIN 1913
So, the brake lights do not come up on the Roadster when it's just the regen kicking in, right? I'm sure this has been asked before but, have you had any instances of cars behind you (tailgating or otherwise) not realizing that you are slowing down, probably fairly quickly on city streets? And, coming close to rear-ending you as a result? I've had that happen in my ICE even with the brake lights lighting up so, I'd be surprised if the regen-induced slowdown does not actually throw off cars behind (whose drivers might actually be too busy admiring the Roadster to realize that it might be slowing down quickly right in front of them)?!
Wrong. The Roadster's brake lights come on when your regen deceleration hits a certain level. They also come on immediately if you lift off quickly.
gg_got_a_tesla
Model S: VIN 65513, Model 3: VIN 1913
Oh, good to know! Then, I'm all in for aggressive regen in the Model S (am sure my wife will hate the 'difference' from conventional driving though).
If she cannot adjust to how a golf cart "works different" then yes, but in reality it's a 2 to 5 minute "oh, that's how it works (inside voice)" adjustment.
Another call for the third middle brake tailight to glow amber on regen braking. Just enough to signal a slowdown but not enough to make all the consecutive freeway drivers behind you to brake and slow down all traffic flow.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
I don't think I'm in favor of that idea. In a conventional ICE we are quite used to seeing a brake light come on when the brake pedal is pushed, independently of how hard it's being pressed. No need to further differentiate with an EV and possibly confuse the issue. Brake light means pay attention and be ready.
SByer
'08 #383
+1 to TEG's idea; amber only for turn, differing brightness on the brake lights - of course, ideally, I think slush box cars should have some sort of G sensor so they could do the same thing. I'm tired of the people in front of me in the diamond lane getting on their brakes because the people in the lane next to them or tapping on their brakes because their slush boxes don't drive right.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
strider
Active Member
I was following a bus on the freeway the other day and it had a set of amber lights that lit as it was slowing and then the reds came on when he actually hit the brakes. I couldn't figure out if the ambers were when he hit the "jake brakes" (compression brakes) or just when slowing or standard engine braking (I don't recall hearing the noise of compression brakes). But there are vehicles that have amber lights for slowing and red lights for braking. I thought about trying to get some video but traffic was pretty heavy. If I see it again I'll try.
I'm not sure where I come down on the whole thing but I agree we need something for slowing vs braking. Amber CHMSL when slowing and then all reds when braking? Idk.
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Flashing / strobing can be irritating, and even cause epileptic response at some frequencies for some people.
I thought of flashing, but decided not to suggest it based on that, and the fact that many cars already have flashing reds for turn signals. I wouldn't want to do anything more to confuse braking with turn signals. (In other words, I don't like amber brake lights, or flashing brake lights.) I still think brighter for heavier braking makes more sense. An alternative would be an array of brake lights where more elements start to come on as you brake harder.
I thought of flashing, but decided not to suggest it based on that, and the fact that many cars already have flashing reds for turn signals. I wouldn't want to do anything more to confuse braking with turn signals. (In other words, I don't like amber brake lights, or flashing brake lights.) I still think brighter for heavier braking makes more sense. An alternative would be an array of brake lights where more elements start to come on as you brake harder.
NigelM
Recovering Member
Amber lights for braking are not a good idea. Double amber is recognized as hazard lights or when the driver has double parked and just popped into a store for a few minutes.....
gg_got_a_tesla
Model S: VIN 65513, Model 3: VIN 1913
No, I don't think those amber lights came on "automatically" when the bus was slowing down. The driver must have hit the hazards button to get them going - as a rider, I've seen bus drivers do that when approaching a bus stop or a railroad crossing and such.
strider
Active Member
No they weren't flashing. The ambers would come on solid, bus would slow down. Then reds would come on solid in addition, bus would slow down more. Then lights would go out when bus accelerated. But the weird thing is it wasn't obvious what the trigger was. Sometimes when the bus had stopped (stop and go rush hour) and would begin to accelerate, they amber and red wouldn't go off at the same time. Idk. Like I said, I hope to catch him again and will try and get some video.
I think school buses can have special lighting not found on other vehicles.
Check out this picture:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zl194HVUNR8/TKVA9tt2AQI/AAAAAAAAAyo/HOw-K-y3idM/s1600/Bus.jpg
Some even have little stop sign that pops out when the bus is doing pick up / drop off:
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/globegazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/5/6a/420/56a420a2-7c57-11e0-b1b0-001cc4c002e0-revisions/4dcb6dc280106.image.jpg
Check out this picture:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zl194HVUNR8/TKVA9tt2AQI/AAAAAAAAAyo/HOw-K-y3idM/s1600/Bus.jpg
Some even have little stop sign that pops out when the bus is doing pick up / drop off:
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/globegazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/5/6a/420/56a420a2-7c57-11e0-b1b0-001cc4c002e0-revisions/4dcb6dc280106.image.jpg
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I seem to recall our local buses having a small amber light on the back that lit when a rider pulled the bus stop request cord. I haven't really looked in a long time so I couldn't even say if they're still using them (I almost never encounter buses on my commute).
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