Nissan "Out-of-Warranty" support for battery pack degradation

[SageBrush]

I'm curious, how do you document brakes overheating ?

There's probably a relatively easy way to measure the temperature of the rotors,

That is a good idea. You are going to need something more than common sense to prevail with Nissan.

IR thermometers are cheap. I have one that works great and cost $40 IIRC. It is shaped like a gun with a laser sight. I aim it where I want to measure the temperature and 'click.'

Alternatively, impress on the the LEAF technician the need to drive halfway up your mountain and then down before evaluating brake function and temperature.

[DaveinOlyWA]

I have a case number with Nissan's "EV hotline" and an appointment with the dealer down the hill. I intend to document my drive down the mountain, in terms of the braking behavior and my exact stops to let the brakes cool, and present this to the dealer.

I'm curious, how do you document brakes overheating ?

videotape the tech screaming when he touches the rotors to see how hot they are when you get to the bottom of the hill

[SageBrush]

I have a case number with Nissan's "EV hotline" and an appointment with the dealer down the hill. I intend to document my drive down the mountain, in terms of the braking behavior and my exact stops to let the brakes cool, and present this to the dealer.

I'm curious, how do you document brakes overheating ?

videotape the tech

Are you channeling your inner Trump ?

I wonder if rotors have a temperature range specification.

[abasile]

Alternatively, impress on the the LEAF technician the need to drive halfway up your mountain and then down before evaluating brake function and temperature.

I did advise when dropping off the car that the service department could reproduce the problem in exactly that manner.

That said, because the LEAF is parked down in the valley where the ambient air temperature is usually in the range of 10 - 30 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than at my elevated home, the battery won't be as cold and the regen won't be as bad. They'll also have to charge the LEAF first, as I dropped it off with five bars of charge, and that'll also raise the battery temperature. Still, the regen is so bad overall that I expect they'll see the issue regardless.

Don't worry - since I decided to start this process, I'm not going to let them off too easily.

[Valdemar]

I'm curious, how do you document brakes overheating ?

There's probably a relatively easy way to measure the temperature of the rotors, though I wasn't shooting for that level of rigor.

It's common sense to most people near big mountains that you need engine braking (or regen in the case of a BEV) to safely descend long grades. Imagine if engine braking were disabled on a popular ICE vehicle like the Versa. It would not go over well.

There is very limited engine braking in D on automatic transmission, I doubt most people that drive down the mountain care to shift to low gear, they are just riding the brakes.

[DaveinOlyWA]

I'm curious, how do you document brakes overheating ?

There's probably a relatively easy way to measure the temperature of the rotors, though I wasn't shooting for that level of rigor.

It's common sense to most people near big mountains that you need engine braking (or regen in the case of a BEV) to safely descend long grades. Imagine if engine braking were disabled on a popular ICE vehicle like the Versa. It would not go over well.

There is very limited engine braking in D on automatic transmission, I doubt most people that drive down the mountain care to shift to low gear, they are just riding the brakes.

downshifting is a lot more popular than you think

[Valdemar]

downshifting is a lot more popular than you think

Tell it to my wife and the bulk of female population out there, and probably 75% of male population too.

[GRA]

downshifting is a lot more popular than you think

Tell it to my wife and the bulk of female population out there, and probably 75% of male population too.

Yeah, I was amazed that a friend of mine who owns a 4Runner needed to be told to take the car out of OD and/or put it in 2 or 1 while making long, steep descents. As we were descending from Tioga Pass (9,941 ft.) through Yosemite via Old Priest Grade (17%) down to 1,000 ft. at the time, compression braking seemed an important bit of knowledge to pass on! The first time I rode (not drove) down it (Labor Day weekend 1975), someone had missed a turn and was 100+ feet down in the canyon off the side of the road: http://www.uniondemocrat.com/localnews/ ... iest-grade

Guess I was lucky to learn on a stick (and have a dad who drove trucks for a living). As he used to say, "if you break your transmission, you pull over and maybe it costs you a couple thou for a new one. If your brakes overheat and fail, you may not be around to buy replacements." The number of people who ride their brakes all the way down steep hills, with the attendant burning, continues to amaze me. With my last two cars with power disc brakes along with compression braking I've never had a problem stopping at the bottom of Old Priest, but in the '65 Impala (non-power drums all around) even with compression braking and as infrequent brake use as I could manage I'd have my back braced against the seat and putting my entire weight on the brake pedal to try and stop before I drifted past the stop sign at the bottom and out into traffic on 120. I always made it, but it was close a couple of times. I don't know if they still do this, but the family who lived at the bottom used to keep a hose in their driveway for people to use if their brakes were smoking or on fire, along with a guestbook to sign to show they'd used it. But Hwy 108 on the east side of Sonora Pass has an even steeper section, albeit shorter. It's either 25 or 26% (it's signed) with a couple of hairpin turns.

[Valdemar]

..Guess I was lucky to learn on a stick...

That. To be fair, those who drive on steep roads often most certainly know and use engine braking. Unfortunately they represent only a small fraction of the drivers on the roads.

[DaveinOlyWA]

..Guess I was lucky to learn on a stick...

That. To be fair, those who drive on steep roads often most certainly know and use engine braking. Unfortunately they represent only a small fraction of the drivers on the roads.

true and realize that the hills and slopes most people see are simply not enough to worry about. Even the Grapevine, I never downshifted. its STEEP and pretty long but not long enough (assuming your car was in good shape) . But Big Bear is a completely different story and the speeds are much lower.