regenerative braking

[jynx]

does it feel different? i have not test drove a cr-z yet but does it have a disconnected feel? do you need to get used to it? Thanks

[wicked1]

Personally, I think it's almost transparent. Once or twice I might have noticed a slight twitch or change in pressure as it switched from motor/generator breaking to mechanical, but only when it didn't matter (long slow stops). And actually, I think I'm feeling a change in the transmission, and not the breaks at that time.

when breaking medium or hard, it's completely natural.

[gomarlins3]

I notice it when the engine goes into AutoStop, but that's about it. Of course I use to have an Insight so i am use to the regenerative breaking,.

[JoeJoe]

Does it stop the break pads being used it slowly coming to a stop using the break pedal?

So will the break pads last a lot longer?

[Fathom]

I've had that question for some time now too. I try to maximize the regenerative braking when I can. I watch the charge indicator and will brake early for stop lights etc. What I want to know is since I "max" out the meter am I actually engaging the brakes and wearing the pads??

I am noticing some brake dust but other auto's I've owned were a lot worse with the dust.

[dcubed121]

The pads are normally only used to bring the car to a complete stop and in aggressive braking situations.

[tsh]

Originally Posted by dcubed121

The pads are normally only used to bring the car to a complete stop and in aggressive braking situations.

Not what I read. The mechanical system is always active, regenerative braking occurs in parallel (but I'm not clear where the energy goes if the IMA is full). This ought to have the effect of needing fractionally less braking pressure, and reduce the pad wear.

Below 18mph, the regenerative braking is ramped out, and mechanical braking self-regulates as speed drops to zero (so there should be a smooth transition to stop without needing to change the pedal position).

I believe that there is also some regenerative braking applied if you have zero accelerator pressure (i.e. this is more aggressive than normal engine braking drag would be, and if you need to maintain steady speed, you will need to maintain some throttle). Since the throttle is all electronic, this is not inefficient.

[lldsandsll]

Like other hybrid systems, applying a drive torque to the rotor turns the motor into a generator. During deceleration, the motor is used to recharge the battery and slow the vehicle, negating the need for the brakes to be used as much. The low cost nature of IMA hybrids means that Honda doesn't incorporated fancy brake-by-wire systems to blend friction and regenerative braking. Instead, the regenerative braking is overlaid on the friction brakes and then gently ramped out at low speeds. Compared to the Civic Hybrid, which exhibits a distinct loss of deceleration at about seven mph as the regenerative braking is switched off, the Insight and CR-Z have a much more gradual phase out making the transition almost imperceptible.

source: Deep Dive: Getting intimate with the 2010 Honda CR-Z's powertrain — Autoblog

[CrzyKly]

Originally Posted by Fathom

I watch the charge indicator and will brake early for stop lights etc. What I want to know is since I "max" out the meter am I actually engaging the brakes and wearing the pads??

Umm my charge meter has NEVER light up from applying the brakes.... is there something wrong?

[Shatner]

Originally Posted by tsh

Not what I read. The mechanical system is always active, regenerative braking occurs in parallel (but I'm not clear where the energy goes if the IMA is full). This ought to have the effect of needing fractionally less braking pressure, and reduce the pad wear.

Below 18mph, the regenerative braking is ramped out, and mechanical braking self-regulates as speed drops to zero (so there should be a smooth transition to stop without needing to change the pedal position).

I believe that there is also some regenerative braking applied if you have zero accelerator pressure (i.e. this is more aggressive than normal engine braking drag would be, and if you need to maintain steady speed, you will need to maintain some throttle). Since the throttle is all electronic, this is not inefficient.

This guy has it right. I will add to the last paragraph, though. If you have no accelerator pressure and are using engine braking, you'll see the charge graph light up to the charge position. Also, if you're just cruising, maintaining a certain speed, the IMA will regenerate power, also.