Asterix2112
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- John
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2020
- Threads
- 19
- Messages
- 144
- Reaction score
- 227
- Location
- Vienna, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- Wrangler 4xe
- Thread starter
- #1
(Disclaimer: I had a BMW i3 that only had heavy regenerative braking, and now have a Chevy Bolt, which not only has a good max regeneration mode, but also has a paddle behind the steering wheel that when pulled gives you extra heavy regenerative braking which is great for when you're coming to a stop light and need that little extra breaking to stop without having to use the physical brake)
After a week with the 4xe I can't help but say that I am disappointed with the max regenerative braking mode. Besides the fact that it doesn't stay enabled when the car is turned off (unlike what the manual states) the actual regenerative braking itself is just way too wimpy. And this of course means I'm not getting as much charging back into the batteries as I could, and that I am using up my brake pads more than I should. (Now it is better than my friends RAV4 Prime which has no max regen mode - a dealbreaker for me)
In max regen the 4xe seems to operate differently depending on your speed. When cruising at highway speed when you lift off the pedal it barely slows the car. Compared to my Bolt I am finding situations where traffic on the interstate slows a little in front of me where on the Bolt I would just lift the gas pedal and I would slow down enough no problem, but with the 4xe it just doesn't slow enough and I find myself having to apply a little physical braking.
When going slower the 4xe does apply the regen more powerfully, but still not as much is my Bolt, even without using the paddle. I am finding that just coming to stops at traffic lights I am using my brake pedal more on the 4xe than the Bolt. Especially if you're coming in at a good clip like 50mpg, the fact that it barely slows you in the beginning and then still is not as powerful at the end means you're really using the brake pedal a lot more.
It's a shame because with such a small battery range I want as much regen braking as possible to get juice back into that battery. Plus it's awfully nice essentially not having to ever worry about changing your brake pads!
I hope this can be fixed with a software upgrade. Maybe giving us the option in the display of selecting how strong we want the max regen to be, and if we wanted to be of variable amount of regen or the same strength regardless of speed. I am sure it's all computer controlled, so should be something that can be easily implemented with a software upgrade.
After a week with the 4xe I can't help but say that I am disappointed with the max regenerative braking mode. Besides the fact that it doesn't stay enabled when the car is turned off (unlike what the manual states) the actual regenerative braking itself is just way too wimpy. And this of course means I'm not getting as much charging back into the batteries as I could, and that I am using up my brake pads more than I should. (Now it is better than my friends RAV4 Prime which has no max regen mode - a dealbreaker for me)
In max regen the 4xe seems to operate differently depending on your speed. When cruising at highway speed when you lift off the pedal it barely slows the car. Compared to my Bolt I am finding situations where traffic on the interstate slows a little in front of me where on the Bolt I would just lift the gas pedal and I would slow down enough no problem, but with the 4xe it just doesn't slow enough and I find myself having to apply a little physical braking.
When going slower the 4xe does apply the regen more powerfully, but still not as much is my Bolt, even without using the paddle. I am finding that just coming to stops at traffic lights I am using my brake pedal more on the 4xe than the Bolt. Especially if you're coming in at a good clip like 50mpg, the fact that it barely slows you in the beginning and then still is not as powerful at the end means you're really using the brake pedal a lot more.
It's a shame because with such a small battery range I want as much regen braking as possible to get juice back into that battery. Plus it's awfully nice essentially not having to ever worry about changing your brake pads!
I hope this can be fixed with a software upgrade. Maybe giving us the option in the display of selecting how strong we want the max regen to be, and if we wanted to be of variable amount of regen or the same strength regardless of speed. I am sure it's all computer controlled, so should be something that can be easily implemented with a software upgrade.
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