Anyone utilize the "L" on the shift dial? and what for?

[adsandiego]

Sponsored

 

[MakinDoForNow]

It's good for several things it makes driving in creep mode easier to get into garage. If you have a 1-2" bump or slight uphill you can more easily pull in with less aggressive pedal and hydraulic brakes work smoother. As always do not rest foot on brake pedal as after several seconds computer will think you are trying to stop and may slam on the hydraulic brake.
Low is good for in town stop and go and the regen is increased so you don't have to work the brake pedal as much and to some extent almost one pedal drive. On the down side it may rapidly bring the HVB up to 70%-72% soc where engine braking will occur. Low is good in tow/haul pulling trailer.

 

[Maverickman74]

I use it when I am towing and offroad at the same time.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

... it may rapidly bring the HVB up to 70%-72% soc where engine braking will occur...

I am supposed to get my Hybrid any day now. I plan to use "L" for regen braking in the very hilly terrain where I live. How do you know when the HVB has charged to the max amount the system will allow?
Thanks.

 

[Tim d]

It's good for several things it makes driving in creep mode easier to get into garage. If you have a 1-2" bump or slight uphill you can more easily pull in with less aggressive pedal and hydraulic brakes work smoother. As always do not rest foot on brake pedal as after several seconds computer will think you are trying to stop and may slam on the hydraulic brake.
Low is good for in town stop and go and the regen is increased so you don't have to work the brake pedal as much and to some extent almost one pedal drive. On the down side it may rapidly bring the HVB up to 70%-72% soc where engine braking will occur. Low is good in tow/haul pulling trailer.

I did recently pulling a loaded trailer up a distance of about 40 yards during a steep incline. Assuming low is the same in this truck as vehicles in the past.

 

[GPSMan]

I did recently pulling a loaded trailer up a distance of about 40 yards during a steep incline. Assuming low is the same in this truck as vehicles in the past.

Low in the hybrid is vastly different that low in the EB.

 

[GPSMan]

I am supposed to get my Hybrid any day now. I plan to use "L" for regen braking in the very hilly terrain where I live. How do you know when the HVB has charged to the max amount the system will allow?
Thanks.

Low in the Hybrid is mostly for going downhill.

It will give double the strength of "drag" from generating power, but for only 10 to 30 seconds, until the battery is at maximum charge.

Then your engine RPM will go to like 4000 RPM and it will sound like low gear in a traditional vehicle.

It's a hot topic, but it is 100% personal preference. There is no mechanical, electrical, or MPG benefit from it compared to using the brake pedal.
It's for "lazy" people mostly.

It has one big DISADVANTAGE.

NO BRAKE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED IN L POSITION BUT YOU STOP REALLY FAST ON FLAT GROUND. It's mainly for maintaining speed on steep down slopes. But some people "abuse" this feature. I've done it myself. Then figured out there's no advantage to it but there is the increased risk of getting rear-ended. No confirmed cases of this. But the odds are greater and it will happen sooner or later.

 

[GPSMan]

I use it when I am towing and offroad at the same time.

Low in the hybrid is a lot different than low in an EB.

Low does not help the hybrid go uphill, only slows it.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

... Low in the Hybrid is mostly for going downhill...

...NO BRAKE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED IN L POSITION BUT YOU STOP REALLY FAST ON FLAT GROUND...

Of course the brake lights won't be on if the foot isn't on the brake pedal. Same as downshifting with a manual on a steep grade.

I live in a very isolated area and am traffic-aware.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I am supposed to get my Hybrid any day now. I plan to use "L" for regen braking in the very hilly terrain where I live. How do you know when the HVB has charged to the max amount the system will allow?
Thanks.

The engine braking will occur which can easily be heard and if you are at 35mph or more when you let up on the accelerator it will get your OMG response the first few times. The battery is fairly small and will fill up quickly and be used up quickly. If battery gets to a certain temp charge and discharge may be reduced to help cool battery. Member @GPSMan has a scanguage lll installed in his OBD2 port that shows 72 or so items temps, charge, etc. Search for his threads. I plan on getting one myself soon.

 

[TheWizziard]

In hybrids, the "L" is also for Temporary Neutral Mode"

 

[MetalsGeek]

The hybrid will automatically use a lot of regen braking when going downhill to maintain your initial speed. I have not used L mode a lot, but it facilitates 1-pedal driving in heavy freeway traffic. I totally agree with GPSMan in his assessment of braking safety because the vehicle slows a LOT without brake lights ever coming on. I predict that NHTSA will soon act on this feature of electrified vehicles and mandate illumination of the brake lamps based on energy absorption, regardless of the underlying reason for it.

 

[GPSMan]

Some (most?) EV's will turn on the brake lamps based on negative G force. (Deceleration rate).

All cars have this sensor for Air Bag deployment. So it's just a matter of connection.

 

[Decayed]

I use it every time I go through a school zone. Makes it easier to keep the speed down.

 

[Montana]

Nope. I personally have no use for it.

Sponsored