( L ) Drive Question

[saghost]

Of course you can do that, but that is not coasting (IMHO). Coasting is putting the selector to "N" and not thinking so much about it. I prefer to relax and not play with the pedal. And, to be precise, no matter how good you are at the 'feathering', you cannot possibly be as good as just coasting. I'm just sayin'.

Actually, feathering properly and coasting in neutral achieve exactly the same results, in exactly the same fashion - you told the computers you want no drag or thrust from the motors, and they complied. The difference is a feathered car can accelerate on a moment's notice and a neutral car can't (I think this is the reason that in most states it is illegal to coast in neutral. If it isn't, I have no idea why the laws are there, but in most places they are. Pretty much unenforceable, of course.)

[TheProgrammerGuy]

Perhaps... but if you have to stop, say between traffic lights, it's better to recover some energy(can't ever get it all) through the generator, letting the load of the battery recharging bring you to a stop rather than friction from the brakes.

And this is exactly what I said you should do... "Use L when you NEED it".

[TheProgrammerGuy]

If you can coast on level ground and maintain 45mph while overcoming road friction, mechanical friction, and (the big one) aerodynamic drag you have achieved an incrediable feat of physics! Patent whatever you are doing and you will make Zuckerberg look like a pauper!

what ever...

[Juanefny]

The efficiency tips on the 2013 Volt advise not to drive in N as it does not recharge the battery and wastes energy.

[PowerTrip]

And this is exactly what I said you should do... "Use L when you NEED it".

I always need it! 100% of the time.

[saghost]

The efficiency tips on the 2013 Volt advise not to drive in N as it does not recharge the battery and wastes energy.

Presumably this advice is because N disables regenerative braking. Without regen you get no energy from the car when stopping. Other than that, it doesn't really matter much Of course, you can't accelerate in N either, which makes it fairly pointless.

[lsteiner]

First, I admit that I have a lead foot. After "playing" with the different modes, my personal preference is to drive in Sport + L when city driving. Once on the freeway I switch to Hold + D doing an average of 70 to 75. I don't know if I am in the majority or minority of Volt owners, but I did not buy the car to play the MPG game, I bought it to have fun with a great car that is at the tip of technology. I am coming off of a BMW where I was lucky to get 19 miles per gallon and about 225 miles range before it was time to fill the tank again, and again, and again... So I'm extremely happy with the combination of Electric and Gas. I got the car a week ago and had the 240v charger installed and now when the car is parked in the garage, sometimes I go out and just stare at it.
Am I crazy for the Volt. I guess so...
LS

[TSquare]

".....Ditto...."