Unclear on regenerative braking

[powersurge]

Congratulations on your new car. I know it is fun to experiment with your new car. I did the same thing when I got mine. I really don't think that playing with "coasting" with or without gears or eco really makes a difference.

I like just leaving it in eco mode, and just driving it without big accelerations and letting the car regen slowly when I see a red light in the distance. Anything more than that is really more mental work than I will allow myself for any car. Changing the efficiency by any small percent will save me..... What..... $25-50 cents?

PS - Regarding the heater, you should not suffer without a heater. I put it at 68 degrees, in recirculate mode, and with the fan at 1. While the car is never HOT, it keeps me comfortable, and I do not use a lot of the battery...

[LeftieBiker]

ECO: Usually leave it off as it is not economical to leave it on. I've done some test and regularly I get work miles/kWh

Eco is more efficient for most people, because it makes it harder to accelerate quickly unless you really mean it. It also limits heater consumption. Why do you say that it "it is not economical to leave it on"?

[seamasred]

Another "glitch" which can affect efficiency is at what elevation you start your car. My first three or four miles are all either level or downhill. After an overnight full charge I have only one regen double circle left since there is little or no room to "stuff" more juice in the battery. Without regen available, when you lift your foot off the A pedal you really do "coast". I pick up rolling speed much faster than if I headed out of my garage with a half charge. Putting it in B does not make a difference since, no matter what, you are not getting any more regen. I also see the GOM go up 2-3 miles by the time I reach bottom.

I try not to touch the A pedal and allow the car to slow down as much as possible on the levels so my downhill speed does not pick up too much. Limited by the traffic though. I'm not goring to do 15 mph in the 35 mph zone, holding up traffic behind me. During these first miles the brakes are truly "old school" kinetic energy to waste heat convertors.