Brake Light Actuation

[Palgrave]

Glad to hear that GM has this on their radar as per this post as it is an important issue . . . I have been using “L” lately comparing it to staying in “D” in stop and go rush hour freeway traffic and “L” seems to result in better range and, frankly, a much more desirable driving experience. However I use it based on information I’m getting from the brake lights of the cars 1 and 2 ahead of me; the guys behind me don’t have that advantage and I’m uncomfortable doing it . . . like another member of the post I have my eye on the rear view mirror now. The Tesla has gone the other way it would seem and the brake lights go on as soon as regen starts no matter how small – this would seem to be overkill and is annoying to the driver behind. A suggestion that GM might consider to show leadership given that there are regulations on this is to program the yellow flicker lights to come on simultaneously (so both sides light up) when the car slows in the middle range of deceleration according to the regulations and then moves to the full red brake light system when break lights must come on (kind of like traffic lights). I now have over 18,000 kilometers on my Volt after only 4.5 months of driving (completely trouble free driving . . . it has not even been in for service yet). Based on my own experience the single pedal drive, I think, is the way of the future and riding the break is not a solution a leader would suggest . . . and not one that drivers will do once EVs really start to be adopted by the main stream.

[Joule Thief]

The Tesla has gone the other way it would seem and the brake lights go on as soon as regen starts no matter how small – this would seem to be overkill and is annoying to the driver behind.

Not true. Tesla's regen is more aggressive than the Volt hence they must activate the stop lamps. Tesla is following the same regulations I posted in post 39. The lights are activated based on the rate of deceleration, not just anytime there is regen, so when it is below 0.07Gs the lights must be off.

A suggestion that GM might consider to show leadership given that there are regulations on this is to program the yellow flicker lights to come on simultaneously (so both sides light up) when the car slows in the middle range of deceleration according to the regulations and then moves to the full red brake light system when break lights must come on (kind of like traffic lights).

It sounds like you're assuming that because the red stop lamps are regulated, GM should use a yellow lamp instead to get around the regulation? It's all regulated, there's very little GM can do here. I'm fairly certain they cannot add a flickering yellow light to indicate vehicle slowing. Nor do I think this would be very effective as most people would have no idea what it means. It's pretty much globally understood that rear red lights mean slowing or stopped.

If GM were to make the regen more aggressive then they would have to activate the lamps just like Tesla, problem solved for everyone. Better yet make the amount of regen user configurable and have the lights come on when necessary per regulations.

[VoltageDrop]

Like a broken record in infinite loop this topic is......bottom line.....we all offer our OPINIONS....that is it......in the end you do whatever floats your boat.....drive in "L" all the time and tap your brakes...don't tap your brakes......drive in "D" all of the time and ride your brakes to your hearts desire....I personally drive in "L" 99.9% of the time (0.1% is the times I put it into D and drive off and wonder what happened to the car and realize I wasn't in L)....and I use common sense....If the person behind be is being aggressive.....I use my brake pedal......If nobody is behind me I will regen to creep velocity....

Just remember.....you could have a floodlight for a brake light and that will not stop you from getting rear ended by the texting, putting on makeup, eating a hamburger, shaving etc.... people out there with poor judgement.....

...as always my $0.02.....

[Joule Thief]

Like a broken record in infinite loop this topic is......bottom line.....we all offer our OPINIONS....that is it......in the end you do whatever floats your boat.....drive in "L" all the time and tap your brakes...don't tap your brakes......drive in "D" all of the time and ride your brakes to your hearts desire....

I don't disagree about the topic's persistence. And if it were only a matter of debating whether to drive in D or L and tapping your brakes or not, then I would agree let it be driver's preference. I hesitate about the 2-foot approach (IMO that's more dangerous), however lacking any concrete data on this I'll let it be. But apparently what will float some people's boats is to drive around with hazards going on and off incessantly or hacking the system and installing whatever version of a new light signal "they" think is better. A line has to be drawn there, obviously we can't have everyone running off and putting their own personalized brake signaling system on their Volt. And I would hope we can at least all agree that driving around with your hazards on just because your in L is not a good idea. In these circumstances, not all opinions are equal. There are laws, regulations and rules of the road. There are expert authorities that carefully put these policies into place based on data, not personal preference. Those requirements have been posted in this thread, along with data showing that the Volt is in compliance. And obviously it would have to be in order for GM to sell the car. So we can't just say its okay for folks go do whatever they want if they don't like what GM and regulators have done here, that would lead to chaos. Drive how you want within reason, legally and safely without trying to reinvent the system with your own ideas and personal views about how to signal for braking that no one else will understand.

[Steverino]

Dead horse alert!

If you slow down to take a look at this dead horse, make sure to tap your brakes so the other gawkers don't rear end you, haha.

[Dyohn]

Like a broken record in infinite loop this topic is......bottom line.....we all offer our OPINIONS....that is it......in the end you do whatever floats your boat.....drive in "L" all the time and tap your brakes...don't tap your brakes......drive in "D" all of the time and ride your brakes to your hearts desire....I personally drive in "L" 99.9% of the time (0.1% is the times I put it into D and drive off and wonder what happened to the car and realize I wasn't in L)....and I use common sense....If the person behind be is being aggressive.....I use my brake pedal......If nobody is behind me I will regen to creep velocity....

Just remember.....you could have a floodlight for a brake light and that will not stop you from getting rear ended by the texting, putting on makeup, eating a hamburger, shaving etc.... people out there with poor judgement.....

...as always my $0.02.....

+1 I agree completely.

[VoltageDrop]

Joule Thief.....I totally agree with you on the hazard thing as well....the hazards should be used for what they were designed for....certainly not for driving around in "L"......if anything...I agree that it will likely irate people more than a Volt driver "not tapping the brakes in L"....