Rumour on Regenerative Braking

[jthspace]

When I was test driving the PHEV, the dealer warned me about people too close behind not appreciating the braking capability of the car and the fact that there are no brake lights.

The dealer told me that this had been a discussion with Mitsubishi and he had heard a rumour that for B4 to B5, the brake lights may come on under regenerative braking. He also thought this "may" be a software upgrade capable of being used on earlier versions.

Maybe . . . .

Jeff

 

[geoffshep69]

My understanding is that the 2016MY version does indeed activate the brake lights when in B4 or B5. that's what the dealer told me a couple of weeks ago when I had a test drive of the current model, and I've also read it on a couple of other sites.

 

[CCCUK]

For 16 MY PHEV
High Level Regenerative Brake Light - Standard across the PHEV Range
At higher speeds when the regenerative braking level is set to B4 or B5 the brake lights will now automatically be activated to alert the drivers behind once the accelerator is released.

 

[maby]

That makes sense - would be a useful update to current models on the road.

 

[jthspace]

The dealer "thought" it may be possible to update the existing <2015 models, but he wasn't sure as he had not been told anything officially.

 

[user 816]

If I had a 2016 I would want the dealer to disable it!

But I bet you can't. Regen. is not that strong, no more than engine braking in a diesel in some gears. It should be up to the driver to control the regen. and brake/brake lights not some software designer.

 

[Ozukus]

I've actually been behind a PHEV that I reckon had B5 set, found it quite disconcerting when he lifted off the accelerator, felt a bit like driving behind someone that you know the brake lights are out, so personally I actually think this is a good thing.

 

[Neverfuel]

If you look behind and see someone too close behind - you can always use the brakes instead of the paddles as the car will use varying degrees of regenerative braking anyway. You can check this on the power meter. It's great to be able to drive by just using the accelerator most of the time - but your awareness of the road conditions has to come first I personally would not like the brake lights coming on in b4 or b5 without me wanting that to happen. It must be bad enough following a PHEV when it is in ACC or using the speed limiter as the brake lights are applied under these conditions, and it sometimes makes me think that people behind must have the impression I am a nervous driver

 

[anko]

A bit off-topic but B0 + brakes will not regen as much as B5 + brakes.

On topic: once you are aware the car in front of you doesn't have break lights you automatically keep more distance. So, it is a good thing :mrgreen:

 

[user 816]

If you look behind and see someone too close behind - you can always use the brakes instead of the paddles as the car will use varying degrees of regenerative braking anyway. You can check this on the power meter. It's great to be able to drive by just using the accelerator most of the time - but your awareness of the road conditions has to come first I personally would not like the brake lights coming on in b4 or b5 without me wanting that to happen. It must be bad enough following a PHEV when it is in ACC or using the speed limiter as the brake lights are applied under these conditions, and it sometimes makes me think that people behind must have the impression I am a nervous driver

That is exactly how I see it and drive.

On B4 in some conditions it will look like your a nutter if every time you ease off it shows a brake light!

 

[NAPpy]

It must be bad enough following a PHEV when it is in ACC or using the speed limiter as the brake lights are applied under these conditions, and it sometimes makes me think that people behind must have the impression I am a nervous driver

I have actually tested this and posed the results.

In ACC the brake lights do not come on under light/moderate deceleration however the brake lights did come on with a perceived retardation from the ACC of about B3 or a little higher.

I was also concerned about being a fake brake hence why I tested it on the freeway at 100kmh.

NAPpy

 

[DazzyB]

I've been trying to see whether the lights are coming on under B4 or B5 braking (simply by looking in mirror on dark roads). I can confirm that they always seem to come on with B5 selected but I can't confirm that they do with B4. Maybe they will above a certain speed or where deceleration is higher (e.g. going up hill), in which case I think it's a useful safety feature and could help stop someone running into the back of you.

 

[jaapv]

If you look behind and see someone too close behind - you can always use the brakes instead of the paddles as the car will use varying degrees of regenerative braking anyway. You can check this on the power meter. It's great to be able to drive by just using the accelerator most of the time - but your awareness of the road conditions has to come first I personally would not like the brake lights coming on in b4 or b5 without me wanting that to happen. It must be bad enough following a PHEV when it is in ACC or using the speed limiter as the brake lights are applied under these conditions, and it sometimes makes me think that people behind must have the impression I am a nervous driver

That is exactly how I see it and drive.

On B4 in some conditions it will look like your a nutter if every time you ease off it shows a brake light!

Better look like a nutter than having a shorter car...

 

[greendwarf]

If you look behind and see someone too close behind - you can always use the brakes instead of the paddles as the car will use varying degrees of regenerative braking anyway. You can check this on the power meter. It's great to be able to drive by just using the accelerator most of the time - but your awareness of the road conditions has to come first I personally would not like the brake lights coming on in b4 or b5 without me wanting that to happen. It must be bad enough following a PHEV when it is in ACC or using the speed limiter as the brake lights are applied under these conditions, and it sometimes makes me think that people behind must have the impression I am a nervous driver

That is exactly how I see it and drive.

On B4 in some conditions it will look like your a nutter if every time you ease off it shows a brake light!

Better look like a nutter than having a shorter car...

Must be the way the Dutch drive - even in Sarf Lundun I have no worries about being rear-ended by using Regen braking :lol:

 

[jaapv]

My commute takes me on the Motorway from/to the truck UK ferry terminal . British truckers speeding to make Stena Line... Or still sleepy after a tax-free evening.

 

[Regulo]

Oi!!! Don't slag off our truckers, knights of the road, we call them. BONK!. Ooops, just laughed my head off!

 

[greendwarf]

I liked the discussion about FCM which demonstrated that you will always run into the back of a truck in an emergency and he will always run into you if the other way round. - irrespective of brake lights etc.

 

[Mitsyphev]

Hi. I have just received, from Colt Cars, some more detailed information about regenerative braking and auto brake light operation. I too was concerned because I didn't know when my brake lights were on and whether I was causing confusion/annoyance to following vehicles.
According to Colt Cars, for MY16, the brake lights only come on when in B4 at speeds of 81mph and above and when in B5 at speeds of 25mph and above.
These are approximate figures because other factors like battery SOC, battery temperature, road surface, slope, load etc affect the operation.
Hope this helps.

 

[Neverfuel]

I liked the discussion about FCM which demonstrated that you will always run into the back of a truck in an emergency and he will always run into you if the other way round. - irrespective of brake lights etc.

Thanks Greendwarf