Hybrid Brake lights

[AutobahnSHO]

That Hill Descent Control is a good example of not needing auto-brake lights.

I disagree, because the truck IS BRAKING pretty aggressively down the hill.

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[HeyBales]

I disagree, because the truck IS BRAKING pretty aggressively down the hill.

I got the wrong phrase - that indeed is using brakes and below 20 mph so pretty quick on the slow down when it happens.

Switching Hill Descent Control On and Off

Press the button on the center console. The indicator illuminates when the system is active.

Surprised it doesn't throw the brake lights on though since it does apply the brakes.


I was referring to the hybrid version Grade Assist that only uses regen, or engine braking, to maintain speed. Looking forward to taking it on the hills from Springfield to Branson, MO.
In which case same speed is attempted. This has limited ability if steep enough, it can lose and brakes will be required to maintain speed.

Grade Assist

How Does Grade Assist Work?
This feature helps maintain vehicle speed when driving down a slope. The system uses a combination of engine motoring and regenerative braking to maintain vehicle speed.
Note: You could hear engine speed increasing and decreasing. This is normal operation.
The system activates when all the following occur:

• Your vehicle is on a downhill slope.
• The selector is in drive (D).
• You release the accelerator pedal.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm referring to grade assist. I'm pretty sure it doesn't turn on the brake lights even though everyone else is braking all the way down the same hill.

It's 8 blocks downhill with no light or stop sign, you can see the slope from this building. https://maps.app.goo.gl/TRGW7wqJqjvCQNUeA

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Some EV's use a decelerometer - 0.3 negative G's and the brake lights come on when using "one pedal drive".

There is a G sensor for the air bags. So if sensitive enough it could be used to trigger brake lamps at 0.3 negative G.

Maybe Ford actually did this for 2025 based on consumer feedback.

 

[cyberdog]

I wonder if we can turn that on in some way using Forscan in the 22-24 models? That's actually pretty useful, as it would let the following vehicle know you're slowing when coasting to lights, stop signs, or down-hill grades where it prevents unwanted acceleration.

Of course many don't even notice a brake light, being too consumed with other things when driving. I see people using face-time/video chat all the time, and could write tickets all day if I were a policy officer. I swapped my 3rd brake light for an LED that brighter, and gives 5 flashes before going steady on when applying the brakes to just maybe get their attention.

 

[HeyBales]

I've coasted to lights under Eco and it's more aggressive regen, right behind an ICE vehicle that may or may not have been coasting but matching my slow down - they didn't have brake lights on until almost the end, or the light went green and we didn't stop so no lights.

Brake lights being shown down a hill when you are keeping the speed - not sure why that would be needed. You are keeping the speed, not slowing down.

So many vehicles have their own rate of coasting, or drivers dropping the OD gear, or going into 4th/3rd, ect - to maintain speed, not even slow down - why would a brake light be useful except to know that car is using brakes to maintain speed, that car is not?
Both of them could jamb on their brakes to actually slow quickly and create havoc to anyone not watching.

Auto-brake lights if slowdown rate is enough - great idea.
That would do nothing for maintaining speed on a downhill though.

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