Mx5racer said:
Is there any way to tell the max point of regen vs. mechanical braking
Is that a question
Missing question mark notwithstanding, see Owner's Manual, page 2-7: "Instruments and controls"/"Meters and gauges"/"Power meter".
You get max regen when all four dots on the left light up.
When dots on the left have single-line circle around them instead of double-circle, it means that regen is being limited to prevent overcharging the battery. For example, when the battery is fully charged, all four dots on the left have single-circle border.
Mx5racer said:
Do the mechanical brakes not start being applied until after all the brake dots are full?
The brake control module controls the amount of hydraulic brake assist by operating a pump in the master cylinder, coordinating between the traction motor's regeneration and signal from the brake pedal travel sensor (LEAF Service Manual, page BR-12). The brake control module does a gradual transition between regenerative braking force and hydraulically assisted braking force.
That said, I can always feel the cut-over point when the regenerative braking cuts out completely and braking becomes 100% hydraulic, when slowing down from speed to a near crawl. As I slow to a walking/jogging speed, I can feel a sudden twitch in the brake pedal and the pedal sinks a tiny bit.
Mx5racer said:
I wish there was a light that showed the point that you were pushing too hard.
If all four dots on the left light up like a Christmas tree, there's probably regenerative energy being lost. (The "Energy Usage" screen of the "Energy Info" display in the center panel shows power used or regen'ed by the motor: navigation system owner's manual, page IT-3. Regen is at its max when the display shows -30kWh.) It's a bit of a game for me to gauge my braking distance/force/time to get max regen up until the moment I come to a stop.