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For this and other reasons, I much prefer Tesla's model where the brake pedal has zero affect on regen, and is used to apply friction brakes only.
That's a pretty smart workaround. I assume ABS works normally in "N"?As a work around, i started shifting the car into neutral when coming to stops in these conditions, forcing the car to disable regenerative braking and giving me much more predictable stopping.
One more option, if you're comfortable with heel-and-toe or two foot driving: we learned in testing that if the accelerator is slightly depressed (beyond the regen presumably,) the car will skip regen and go straight to the pads when you push the brake pedal.
That's a pretty interesting idea. I wonder if there could be a way for the car to be smart enough to figure out when to enter this type of mode automatically. Otherwise a manual setting would work.
That's a pretty smart workaround. I assume ABS works normally in "N"?
How is that any different than a car without ABS? You aren't really putting a lot of stress on the drive train in this situation. There is nothing but EMF stopping the tire from spinning. Going from stopped to start isn't going to hurt an electric motor.The issue that I ran into with being firmer with the brake pedal and trying to trust the ABS is if the traction was suddenly restored before the traditional breaking / ABS kicks in, the drivetrain gets a heck of a jolt in the process as the stopped tire now suddenly gets shunted to spin again, sending that force through the diff, gearset, clutch and motor/generator: can you say shot motor generator bearing anyone?
My theoretical Snow / Low traction mode would reduce risk of damage to the drivetrain and give a more braking capabilities by using all four wheels independently and immediately in gentle stop situations such and snow/ice driving.
Fully Agreed...I believe driving low can be downright dangerous in the snow as the possibility of locking up the front wheels from sudden regeneration if you suddenly lift off throttle means temporary steering loss while the volt sorts its braking situation out. Not good. (this applies to all cars for that matter and engine compression / braking can really disrupt the car too).I know this is about "could be" and "in the future", but my today solution is to avoid both L or cruise in snow. That plus snow tires work very well.
Confirmed, ABS works as normal in "N" in my Volt...I jumped on the brakes moderately in Neutral and "low traction" popped up and I had the pulsating brakes.I assume ABS works normally in "N"?
I haven't found the volt to be any worse than other cars in the snow... the fact that it regens as much as it can is largely transparent.
Strongly agree. My Volt rolls through 4"- 6" of snow like a baby Cadillac Escalade. What a BLAST to drive!I have had no issues with driving in snow, and I'm Always in "L". Worst case - icy roads on hills (and I Live in the foothills of the Berkshires - Nothing is flat around here), going downhill - Steeply downhill - while also around curves, I have yet to experience a problem where the Regen braking was a bother or in any way made the car more difficult to drive than otherwise.
I Have had "issues" with the regen causing ABS triggering over simultaneous slippery conditions and bumps - where the regen drops out Apparently as a first step to the ABS working. It's not been noticeable to me in the snow, ever.
Maybe it's having actual Snow tires on the car..
What he said, L in snow/ice is can be invigorating.I know this is about "could be" and "in the future", but my today solution is to avoid both L or cruise in snow. That plus snow tires work very well.
Read wheel drive in the snow. What could possibly go wrong?For this and other reasons, I much prefer Tesla's model where the brake pedal has zero affect on regen, and is used to apply friction brakes only.