Anyone drive their hybrid in low?

[Silver23]

What is the difference? It slows the truck quicker when you let off the gas with what seems to be regen braking I see. Any other things it's doing?
The manual just says it slows you down quicker and to use it in hilly terrain or while towing. Any reason not to drive it in low all the time to take advantage of the regen?

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[jwilson]

Not sure on normal use, but using L is near one foot driving mode; I can slow all the way down to less than walking speed. Though the drivers behind me don't take too kindly to the long slow runway to a light...

 

[Tailender]

Probably would kill your fuel economy which is the point of a hybrid.

 

[K5Blazer]

Funny this subject got brought up.

I used that feature for the first time yesterday going down from a 12% mountain pass.
It definitely slowed the truck way down, too much really. You definitely wouldnt want to use it just cruising around on public roads.

I was surprised how well the system worked without using the L button. It seemed to know how much regen braking to use depending on the steepness of the road. The flatter sections, which were probably still over 7%, saw the “transmission” easing up, allowing faster coasting.

I still used my brakes occasionally but much less than driving a standard automatic in Drive.

I have no idea how this works but the system seemed a lot smarter than I had read about, or seen, on YT videos.

 

[Silver23]

Probably would kill your fuel economy which is the point of a hybrid.

but why? It sure seems to use regen braking more, more than in ECO mode even. Kind of reminds me of a Tesla in one foot driving mode.
I'm seriously wondering if it actually helps MPG.

 

[Vaportrail]

I've been using L as a pushbutton brake in town-

I can usually stay off the brakes and just focus on feathering the gas pedal to keep it in the blue "Electric" zone as much as possible...

 

[ryan2366]

Use it all the time when coming to a red light or slowing to make a corner

 

[jsus]

Funny this subject got brought up.

I used that feature for the first time yesterday going down from a 12% mountain pass.
It definitely slowed the truck way down, too much really. You definitely wouldnt want to use it just cruising around on public roads.

I was surprised how well the system worked without using the L button. It seemed to know how much regen braking to use depending on the steepness of the road. The flatter sections, which were probably still over 7%, saw the “transmission” easing up, allowing faster coasting.

I still used my brakes occasionally but much less than driving a standard automatic in Drive.

I have no idea how this works but the system seemed a lot smarter than I had read about, or seen, on YT videos.

That's Grade Assist. It uses regenerative braking to maintain your speed on a descent. If that is not enough to keep your speed in check, it will spin up the engine to help slow you down - this doesn't use any gas.

See this video for more about Low vs. Grade Assist:

https://www.ford.com/support/vehicl...ow-mode-grade-assist-and-hill-descent-control

WHAT IS GRADE ASSIST

Provides additional grade braking with a combination of engine motoring and high-voltage battery charging to help maintain vehicle speed when descending a grade.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...ingEnabled=False&userMarket=USA&buildtype=web

 

[K5Blazer]

Very good!
I can attest that this system, grade assist, works extremely well.
My last two cars had paddle shifters which I liked for these situations.

I don’t think I am going to miss them at all.

 

[Silver23]

I think I've got it figured out.
Low mode does give more regen but also seems to let the ICE engine rev a little higher. That's what it sounds and feels like anyway.

 

[Montana]

Uh... as someone who has always owned and operated 4x4's, I'm almost certain L should not be used these ways. I could be wrong, I have been once before... but if it's anything like 4LO... this isn't the right application for it. It's not a brake.

Read your manual for specifics maybe? I'm certain there is more to it than "slows you down quicker". I'm almost certain it's to keep the wheels moving slower while keeping the revs up just like it is with 4LO. Possibly even engages the AWD in a sort of constant mode like other drive modes do? If not, it's like every other Low mode in gearing. Disabled overdrive and choses a lower gear to keep the RPM's up.

If it is just a tranny thing, then down grade may be applicable, but then again - you are in a Maverick - not an 80,000 pound 18 wheeler. Towing would make sense to have a lower gear down grade... but some of you using to around corners and coming to a stop light - no.

You might want to read that manual because I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be going over 40 in low.

 

[K5Blazer]

Yup. it is similar to 4Lo.

I will only use L when on an extremely steep road or in slippery conditions like a snow packed mountain pass where you are trying not to use the brakes for fear of losing traction.

You could also use this mode for very steep, loose surfaces while ascending.
.
Daily driving is not what this feature is designed for.

 

[Vince30]

Uh... as someone who has always owned and operated 4x4's, I'm almost certain L should not be used these ways. I could be wrong, I have been once before... but if it's anything like 4LO... this isn't the right application for it. It's not a brake.

Read your manual for specifics maybe? I'm certain there is more to it than "slows you down quicker". I'm almost certain it's to keep the wheels moving slower while keeping the revs up just like it is with 4LO. Possibly even engages the AWD in a sort of constant mode like other drive modes do? If not, it's like every other Low mode in gearing. Disabled overdrive and choses a lower gear to keep the RPM's up.

If it is just a tranny thing, then down grade may be applicable, but then again - you are in a Maverick - not an 80,000 pound 18 wheeler. Towing would make sense to have a lower gear down grade... but some of you using to around corners and coming to a stop light - no.

You might want to read that manual because I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be going over 40 in low.

4low in a 4x4 will physically change the gearing in the transfer case. In those cases, it's meant for very low speed and high torque applications, not for driving down the road, even towing. Traditionally automatic cars with a L on the selector just prevents the transmission from shifting to the overdrive gear. Mainly if you're towing something, going up a steep hill, or anything that would cause the car to hunt between gears. The hybrid can technically change gearing with the ecvt to have higher revs make less output, which is probably what it's doing. So probably not going to get better mileage using it, but not hurting it the same as 4low in the 4x4s you're used to

 

[Montana]

4low in a 4x4 will physically change the gearing in the transfer case. In those cases, it's meant for very low speed and high torque applications, not for driving down the road, even towing. Traditionally automatic cars with a L on the selector just prevents the transmission from shifting to the overdrive gear. Mainly if you're towing something, going up a steep hill, or anything that would cause the car to hunt between gears. The hybrid can technically change gearing with the ecvt to have higher revs make less output, which is probably what it's doing. So probably not going to get better mileage using it, but not hurting it the same as 4low in the 4x4s you're used to

That's what I thought. Not a 4LO but it is a Low gear that disables OD. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[TedTX]

I use it with slippery mode for roads with a bunch of curves and speed changes. This mode buffers the abrupt speed changes caused by L mode. Keeps from having to using brakes a lot.

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