Hybrid Brake Lights

[Old Man]

Nope, it's the hybrid drivers drafting trying to get to the mythical 1,000 miles per tank of gas.

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[PlantMan]

I swear we're becoming lazier and lazier as drivers.

 

[BradnChristine]

I swear we're becoming lazier and lazier as drivers.

Exactly. When I first let the ACC and lane-keeping steer me through a corner, my thought was "Ain't that cute...but not for me. I like to drive." If I wanted a self-driving vehicle, that's what buses and trains are for.

I was almost killed by an idiot in a Tesla in Nevada where the car was making really stupid driving decisions and playing chicken with a large semi as it ever-so-slowly passed me in the oncoming traffic lane, then it pulled right in front of me at the last second. The car must have realized how close the semi was at that point, as once he got back into my lane, a car length in front of me, in the 55 MPH zone, the car slammed on its brakes and PLANTED itself. Thank goodness one of us was actually paying attention and properly reacting to the road conditions.

ACC is "cute" and that's all it is to me after nearly 60 years of driving. It's bad enough half the population no longer can use a clutch.

If you are too tired to drive, get off the road...don't use artificial technology to let you keep going.
/rant.

 

[Waterick]

A quick Google for EV brake lights came up with this:
https://www.greencarreports.com/new...on-ev-brake-lights-to-communicate-brake-regen

I like the accelerometer idea in the attached article, if the rate of deceleration reaches a certain threshold, the brake lights would illuminate. This would work for downshifts in conventional vehicles as well as for accidents causing sudden stops.

 

[Hardening2753]

This may have been answered else where but it's been bugging me to know if the brake lights come on in regen mode - answer: no they don't. They only come on when the brake pedal is pressed and when brake hold is on.
I unscrewed the CHMBL assembly to remove the cargo light bulbs (it's annoying that you can't turn them off with the interior light switch). I left it hanging down so I could see the brake light in the mirror.
The brake lights do not come on when in regen going down hill or when slowing without using the brake pedal, I've been using the 'L' button to slow without using the brakes but realize that following drivers don't get a warning.

Thanks for the information, I don't have the truck yet but it is a question I had

 

[K5Blazer]

We are also on the third generation of people who grew up thinking they are super, excellent drivers because they have been practicing for this get-behind-the-wheel moment on their video game consoles since they could crawl.

Ever seen anybody coast, or keep a safe distance, in a video game? Nope, pedal to the metal and hope you don’t crash before setting anew high score.

And, they have learned all the wrong things watching their parents drive recklessly.

And, they’re stupid.

 

[BradnChristine]

Thanks for the information, I don't have the truck yet but it is a question I had

I've always paid attention to my rearview mirror, trying to avoid being rear-ended by some inattentive driver. I've only had 2 accidents in my life, one a person backed into me while I was stopped at a light, and I ran into a deer. I fear that ACC would not let me keep that record if I used it a lot.

Folks get "in the zone" while driving automatically, and seeing the brake lights ahead trigger an automatic response and that brings you out of the zone. Or seeing a car that you are fast approaching. But in the case of a smaller car following a Maverick with regenerative braking, you get zero warning that something is happening.

The regen brakes are very efficient, and I pretty instantly dropped 20 mph, giving no warning to the car behind me. We stayed on the phone for most of the trip (hands-free, of course) so I got to hear all the reactions. I won't be using ACC in the traffic we have here. So if you are one of the folks with an order where the dealer screwed up and dropped the 360 Co-pilot Assist package, it sure wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me. The rear-parking sensor part of the package isn't that big of a deal to me either, because you do have a camera back there. If I had to do it over, I'd save the $750 cost.

 

[Silver23]

Gee, I though a lot of people were rear ending other drivers because they were looking at their phones and tailgating.

Silly me.

exactly!

 

[Hardening2753]

I've always paid attention to my rearview mirror, trying to avoid being rear-ended by some inattentive driver. I've only had 2 accidents in my life, one a person backed into me while I was stopped at a light, and I ran into a deer. I fear that ACC would not let me keep that record if I used it a lot.

Folks get "in the zone" while driving automatically, and seeing the brake lights ahead trigger an automatic response and that brings you out of the zone. Or seeing a car that you are fast approaching. But in the case of a smaller car following a Maverick with regenerative braking, you get zero warning that something is happening.

The regen brakes are very efficient, and I pretty instantly dropped 20 mph, giving no warning to the car behind me. We stayed on the phone for most of the trip (hands-free, of course) so I got to hear all the reactions. I won't be using ACC in the traffic we have here. So if you are one of the folks with an order where the dealer screwed up and dropped the 360 Co-pilot Assist package, it sure wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me. The rear-parking sensor part of the package isn't that big of a deal to me either, because you do have a camera back there. If I had to do it over, I'd save the $750 cost.

I decided to go with the blind spot detection and the backup sensor even though I am used to not having that since my current car is older than that tech. I am like you and when I stop at a light I check to see that the car behind me is stopping and I'll pump my brakes to flash the light if needed. I'll be adding a tailgate light soon but I'm going to hardwire it to the tail lights itself so it doesn't trek the computer into thinking that it's in tow haul mode.

I'm also looking for LEDs that are actually DOT approved just to get some more light out there but without blinding everyone. But I may stick to LASfit or F-150 LEDs if needed

 

[Montana]

I find it odd they don't illuminate with the DRL's on either the Ecoboost or the Hybrid.

It makes no sense. The whole point of the DRL's is for safety. I can think of hundred of times where I wouldn't need the headlights on, like during a light drizzle or shallow fog, or even at dusk, and the DRL's would be plenty for rear illumination. But knowing the rears do not light up, I switch from auto to the headlights every time.

I also live in a state where half the morons on the road don't use their headlights when it's pouring down rain and snow.

FFS... get your together and keep the taillights on when the DRL's are on.

 

[Maui]

I have been in three rear end collisions in the last three years, two of those were totals. My eyes are glued to the rear view mirror when I apply the brakes always! I am now one of those idiots that turn on the 4 ways if I am the last car at the end of a traffic jamb in an attempt to prevent any more shoulder belt broken ribs.

I like the regen, but only use it when there are no other vehicles nearby, only around town. (no longer a city boy) No brake lights when in use.

 

[dhill59]

Nope, it's the hybrid drivers drafting trying to get to the mythical 1,000 miles per tank of gas.

The computer only registers 999.9 MPG . . . and you’re scratching your head. How does he know that?

 

[rivermaverick]

Rear fog lights are maditory in Europe but they are swiched on maually. I don't know if the Maverick is sold in any markets that require rear fogs - Canada?

 

[Robert C]

I've always driven manual transmission cars and am aware of the 'no brake lights' issue when slowing.
When I was taught to drive (a looong time ago) the decree was 'look ahead, anticipate, downshift' the last thing to do was use the brakes. I'm told that that is no longer taught.

I'm old enough to have driven many "standard" manual shift cars from the 60s and 70s.
I just never did it that way.
I would downshift yes for safety to be in the correct gear if I had to release the clutch - but never to use my transmission to slow down. Too cheap I guess.
I'd rather use my brake pads than my transmission and clutch to slow down.
Brake pads are cheap, transmissions not so much.
Same with my current Maverick, I'm not touching the "L" button, just use the brakes like normal and tell the people behind me I am doing so.
It's bad enough they are playing with their phones without me playing games "drafting" or whatever you call it in low without hitting the brakes or brake lights.

 

[jtfitz57]

My Chevy Bolt applies the brake lights when letting off the accelerator in Low mode. I definitely appreciate that. Especially when I don't anticipate the stopping distance correctly and apply the paddle on the steering wheel to regen more aggressively or when getting off the highway and switching from drive to Low. As always, though, defensive driving is your best bet.

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