Mod to solve the brake light problem for those usin "L" for normal driving?

[George Parrott]

IMHO, the "drag effect" when using "L" is pretty dramatic, certainly compared to D and to anything we experience in our Nissan Leaf or earlier Toyota Prius or Camry Hybrid.

I prefer the "feel" of the "L" driving experience, but the sharp speed drop can shock the stupid person behind who sees no taillights.

Hence, I would PROPOSE that GM consider a short sequence of stoplight BLINKS when the Volt driver lifts off the "go pedal" with the vehicle in "L." Pretty simple software tweak, and one that would WARN virtually all drafting tailgaters to be careful the car ahead is slowing sharply. Being warned is so much better than being required to get your insurance forms out and report a "rear-ender."

IMHO, of course.

[Mybatcar]

I for one, do NOT want brake lights coming on everytime I take my foot off the accelerator while driving in "L" . If you want them to come on , then move your foot over and tap your brakes to illuminate the lights. Since you have to move your foot off the pedal to coast in regen, why is it such trouble for you to tap your brakes with the same foot ? Seems simple to me !
I think all the constant blinking would be distracting to those behind me, and might even make them complacent after awhile. A mod is a bad idea...keep things as they are.

Steve in Boca Raton #313

[LeelaLB]

I definitely see where folks on both sides of this argument are coming from, but I think I'm slightly more to the side of those who think there should be some warning when decelerating in L. In fact, I rather like George's idea of short stoplight blinks, but wonder if the concept could be upgraded slightly so that the lights come on only when decelerating above some threshold. In other words, when I'm in stop and go traffic and feathering the accelerator in L so I don't use the brakes, I'm not sure I want the lights to come on all the time. I'm going slow, everyone is going slow, yes everyone else's brake lights are coming on, but I think the guy behind me should be able to handle it. If it's apparent s/he can't, I make sure and tap the brakes....a lot.

However, there are times the traffic briefly opens up and I can get up to 40 or 50 mph, but looking ahead I see that the traffic is slowing down again so I completely let off the gas so that I can come to a stop by the time I reach the traffic again. Here would be a great time for the brake lights to come on. People behind me are going fast, the vehicle is braking pretty aggressively even though I'm not touching the brakes, and the warning would be nice. Could I tap the brakes and let the person know I am slowing down? Yes. Do I usually? Yes. Do I wish I didn't have to do that? YES. That's all. Not a huge deal, but it would be a nice mod.

IMHO, of course

[marlow]

Roger on that WTO & Steverino. This is the third car I've had with regen braking and I have never felt the decceleration warranted brake lights (I always drive the Volt in "L").
If you're really bent on brake lights when slowing, I remember they used to have a device for trailers that would activate the brake lights and trailer brakes when an inertial sensor determined that the vehicle/trailer was slowing down due to vehicle braking.

This suggestion might work at it would only turn on the lights when decelereation excedded a certin amount.

However, All I was looking for is a convient way to activate the break lights when I see some one that should be warned behined me with out playing a guessing game with the break peddle.

I am with thoes who don't want to flash the break lights unnecessarly, but I am in the group that believes that the amount of deceleration in "L" in some situations is enough to be warning others about.

[voltage692]

The right solution is to defensive drive. Do you trust that the driver will see your brake lights? If brake lights were so fool-proof, then why are they so many rear end accidents.

When slowing down, I always check to see if the car behind me is slowing down. It usually takes 2 asleep at the wheel to make an accident, so don't be that 2nd one.

[fishhawk]

I tend to watch my rear-view mirror when I slow down. More so when driving in L because the drag is noticeable enough to remind me to watch those behind me. On occasion, I have seen cars behind me get a little too close. It's at that time that I tap the brake so they know I'm slowing down.

[marlow]

I tend to watch my rear-view mirror when I slow down. More so when driving in L because the drag is noticeable enough to remind me to watch those behind me. On occasion, I have seen cars behind me get a little too close. It's at that time that I tap the brake so they know I'm slowing down.

I agree with this comment, but you have to remembet that real safety is acheived with at least three layers of safety.

Expecting that at least one will be violitated at any time, that will bing you down to two, which is still safe.

If ypu have some one allready following to close (one violation of safety) and you are driving in "L" and you remove your foot from the accelerator to tap the break, your car will immidently start slowing down (before your break light comes on (another violation of safety), Then there is the reaction time of the other driver to concider as well as how close they are paying attention.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

The right solution is to defensive drive. Do you trust that the driver will see your brake lights? If brake lights were so fool-proof, then why are they so many rear end accidents.

I could not agree more voltage692.

[PatsVolt]

I personally have had situations using L that of people following at a distance that was OK, but would get very close after letting off the gas and having them get very close before they apply or lock their breaks, because for whatever reason, inattention or inability to judge distances very well. This scares me and as such increases my own attention to defensive driving. If I see such a person get to close I press on the gas and get some space if possible or tap on the break so as to flash them to get their attention. These types are not necessarily tailgaters, but may be worse. Most of my close calls have been these types. Most tailgaters are in a hurry and tend to be more alert, but there is a small number that are just dumb. So I would put my vote in for GM do the right thing and do some sort of SW mod to give us some signaling when the car is in L. The Volt uses LED stop lights, which can be modulated any way you want and could provide some very interesting patterns that, one would hope, warn off the tailgater of person that is getting to close when we let up off the gas. I feel this is doable and desirable.

Pat

[Rusty]

Are the friction brakes applied at all during initial light braking? If not, the brake lights would be activated, but you would still get the benefit of regen during decel.

No, the friction brakes don't apply during light deceleration (at most speeds). Or moderate speeds (for the most part, from what I can tell), for that matter. What's that got to do with anything? The brake lights are dependent on the brake pedal being pressed, and have nothing to do with the friction brakes.

From what I can tell, if you drove a Volt in D with the exact same deceleration profiles it uses during L, the only difference in the cars mechanical and electromechanical operation would be the brake light turning on. Regeneration would be identical. The only the "L" does is allow the Volt to select your more aggressive deceleration profile for you.