Have B Mode as Deflaut Drive Mode

[lorenfb]

Since range for me is most critical and also for other Leaf owners with B Mode,
having to always double select drive should not be necessary to enter B Mode.
Ideally if one could define thru one of the menus whether one or two drive selections
was required for B Mode would be easier. Then if the deflaut were B Mode,
one would just select D a second time for normal D Mode. Thus the driver
would have the option of selecting this feature or not.

[DarrenG]

Isn't ECO a better default choice? I'd also read that neither ECO nor B Mode can unlock any magic extra range, it's all about driving style at the end of the day?

[lorenfb]

"Isn't ECO a better default choice?"

ECO is set that way which is good. Now we also need B Mode set as default.

"I'd also read that neither ECO nor B Mode can unlock any magic extra range, it's all about driving style at the end of the day?"

There have been many times where B Mode & driving care (with ECO) have gained extra needed miles to
reach a charging station. If regen (B Mode) had no value, then just coast and use the brakes always.
Let the brakes always 'burn-up' the kinetic energy.

[DarrenG]

There have been many times where B Mode & driving care (with ECO) have gained extra needed miles to reach a charging station. If regen (B Mode) had no value, then just coast and use the brakes always. Let the brakes always 'burn-up' the kinetic energy.

But coasting may well be better than gaining regen. Regen is great but it isn't a wholly efficient use for all cases. And you still have regen available in non ECO or B-Modes so there is no 'burn-up' of kinetic energy. As I understand them, these modes simply bring regen in earlier and prevent any coasting, is that always a benefit? I don't think it's as clear cut to claim they are always the better option.

A careful driver, using the best hypermiling techniques should be able too extract just as much milage from a Leaf in normal modes. Feathering the throttle to coast where possible, and using regen where unavoidable is the bets option surely?

[lorenfb]

The real benefit from B Mode occurs when not driving in the city at the ideal speed of 35-40 mph,
but on hilly highways and/or at speeds of 55-60. B Mode can help 're-capture' lost range at the higher
speeds and some which was lost going up the hill. That's the reason Nissan supplemented ECO
with B Mode, i.e. greater re-gen from the higher speeds. When climbing some hills here in southern
California for a distance of 5 miles the range loss was 12 miles. Using B Mode on the downhill side,
the resulting net range loss was only 7 miles, i.e. B Mode helped 're-capture' 5 miles. Obviously
some 're-capture' would have occurred without B Mode and just ECO, but not as much.

[GIBBER]

The killer of range is drag. Be it from wind resistance or drivetrain (regen). I wish I had the option to have the car coast when I lift the throttle as LEAFs roll very well. This single feature would do more to increase range than any other step and it could be done via programming.
Default mode could be driver selectable from coasting when throttle is lifted, normal D regen, Eco regen thru B mode.

[ledve]

great idea

[aarond12]

In the city with stop-and-go driving, I've found the "B" mode* increases my range significantly, more so than coasting. I can easily get 1/3 more range than EPA rating using B mode.

*I don't have a LEAF (yet) but I always drive my EV in its highest regenerative braking mode. This is why I won't consider a LEAF S. Even with the 6.6kW charger upgrade, B mode is not available.

[nerys]

you can control how much regen in the lesser direction.

just apply accelerator pressure gently. it will "lessen" even "zero" the regen if you do it right and it is not hard to do at all

I like aggressive regen but there are cases where I need more "coast" so feather the pedal.

[lorenfb]

you can control how much regen in the lesser direction.

just apply accelerator pressure gently. it will "lessen" even "zero" the regen if you do it right and it is not hard to do at all

I like aggressive regen but there are cases where I need more "coast" so feather the pedal.

That's the best of both 'worlds'.