Driving in Low - Poll and Compilation of Threads

[Slapshot28]

I could not find a poll on driving in Low, so what the heck... Here goes!


And for your reading pleasure, this may be the best post I've ever read on the subject, because it has real data and great graphs:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....366#post136366


Here's a sampling of various threads on driving the Volt in Low gear.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....Drive-Question

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....-MODE-QUESTION

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....L-quot-setting

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....Using-Low-gear

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....-quot-Question

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....In-quot-L-quot

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....in-quot-L-quot

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....ving-in-L-mode

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....iency-feedback

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....ause-Accidents

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....normal-driving

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....lt-in-Low-Gear


One of the most experienced Volt guys in the world is Tony Posawatz, often referred to as Volt Employee #1 (http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20054356-48.html):

Chevy Volt vehicle line director Tony Posawatz has lots of practice eeking the most out of his Volt's 16 kWh battery, and says that even during Michigan's cold winter months he's achieved high mileage using battery power alone. While he won't share his actual fuel economy numbers, he did share a few of his battery-power maximizing tips.

By taking advantage of the Volt's technology features, driving in Low gear, and being smart about when and how they acclimate their vehicle cabins, drivers can get better gas mileage and go further on a charged battery before switching to extended-range mode.

[volt3939]

I use it all the time, because it's just like driving my Porsche that way. Once you get used to compression braking, there's no going back...

At first I would forget to put it in low and have that sinking feeling when the car was not slowing down when I lifted, but it's been a while since that's happened. Having the wife remind me a few times helped too. She took to it right away, she does a lot of stop and go in heavy traffic and finds it much easier, the increased reaction time is a bonus during rush hour.

This week our Volt is in the shop for the side pole intrusion upgrade, and she is driving our Honda Hybrid. The regen on those is really weak without pressing the brake, so I made sure she drove it Sunday to get used to the different feel. (I now have an Acadia sitting in the driveway, it's not going to get used till I go back for our Volt...)

[BAZINGA]

My last 4 vette were all manuals so I still have decades of old school in me. So I mix and match as conditions warrant.

[drbruns]

My last 4 vette were all manuals so I still have decades of old school in me. So I mix and match as conditions warrant.

Sometimes I really miss my old 4 on the floor

[AZ EV Driver]

I'm a registered independent, so I use both L & D. It's my way of living on the edge.

[ViperRT10Matt]

I would just like to add that if the car gave a clear indicator of when you transitioned from generator braking to friction braking, I probably would not need "L" as much. I mostly use it in city driving just because I assume it is giving me something close to max available regen, something I couldn't identify by myself.

[saghost]

I would just like to add that if the car gave a clear indicator of when you transitioned from generator braking to friction braking, I probably would not need "L" as much. I mostly use it in city driving just because I assume it is giving me something close to max available regen, something I couldn't identify by myself.

Actually, L gives somewhere around half to two-thirds of available regen, as you can see from the interesting frequency chart that popped up several months ago:
Opel_Ampera_Power-Speed-Histogram.jpg

The top half is regen, and in addition to the max regen line, you can see two lines of frequent color above the zero. The upper one is regen in L, the lower one regen in D.

We were talking in a suggestions thread today about the value of having a power/regen screen with thresholds, actually. The proposed version was to have it as a DIC screen, like Trip A or tire pressures. I think it'd be very helpful to those trying to wring the last bits of efficiency from the car.

[Selling Volts At Sundance]

Amazing thread saghost- Brillant- Thank you for all you do....Can I buy you a hamburger or something! lol

[MrEnergyCzar]

I always use it, one pedal driving is fun and not changing brake pads for 150K miles or more is even better...

MrEnergyCzar

[Henry_FL]

One pedal driving is awesome, easy and once you try it you'll never want to drive a gas gulper ever again.

After 4 months, I gave my Volt a wash, with literally no brake usage since I got the Volt, the front wheel rims had no brake dust, yet another benefit of the Volt, easy to wash and make it look like it just came off the show room floor.