Regen braking signals to trigger brake lights.

[The Real Maverick]

ECO mode has aggressive regen braking. I only use my brakes for the finial complete stop and it is can be an issue to those following. I like the idea of brake lights based on deceleration, I see no drawbacks to that at all.

Eco mode is on the edge of where I'd want brake lights to come on. Since slippery mode is the gentlest mode and nets the highest MPG of any mode, I usually use slippery. No worries. Maximum MPG. Nothing to modify.

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[Ozarkbeard]

Eco mode is on the edge of where I'd want brake lights to come on. Since slippery mode is the gentlest mode and nets the highest MPG of any mode, I usually use slippery. No worries. Maximum MPG. Nothing to modify.

Same here.

In my driving, slippery mode also results in the best MPG. If I need more regen braking in Slippery mode, I push on the brake pedal slightly. Brake pads are not used, unless brake pedal is pushed much harder. But the brake lights are illuminated as soon as the brake pedal is touched.

This is another advantage to Slippery mode; you have more frequent brake light illumination than in eco mode, but without "crying wolf" frequent brake lights if you rigged up some sort of system to make the lights come on every time regen is engaged.

 

[The Real Maverick]

^Exactly. 100%.

 

[EffNo50]

...If I see a vehicle with the brake lights constantly on or flickering a lot I stay far away from them ...

Sounds great to me, if only all the other drivers also stayed away from me

 

[2seater]

Would you like to learn more about how your hybrid actually works?

It likely works the same as yours but I would guess my driving pattern is different? Based on what I have read on the forum, I have tried the various modes and while it is a close call between ECO and SLIPPERY, I do better mileage in ECO. Much of my driving is a mix of urban and two lane highway. Small towns and a handful of traffic signals. Eco is pretty aggressive in the regen, but Low sustains the regen at a higher level and comes as close to one pedal driving as possible in this system. I do use it for downhill if there is a speed reduction or stop at the bottom. I do not drive in LOW normally as the engine engages much more quickly on acceleration. As I stated before, I do pay attention to trailing vehicles to be sure they aren't taken by surprise, but it really isn't a lot different than aggressive downshifts with a manual transmission. One last thing; my Maverick is a summer only vehicle, no winter snow, ice to contend with.

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