"L" mode regen braking doesn't activate brake lights

[Paper Mach-E]

Last week, I saw this video on Technology Connections. And the very next day, a driver pulled up alongside me to tell me my brake lights were out.

I'm partial to using that L button on the shift dial for on-demand quasi-1PD, especially in stop&go traffic. It won't bring me to a full stop without the brake pedal, but pretty close.
But it seems the brake lights don't come in at all in this mode, unless you touch the brakes. Seems like a rear-end collision waiting to happen.
Has anyone been pulled over for having brake lights out yet?

This seems addressable by a software update. I just hope it doesn't take a fatal accident to make it happen.

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[Maquis]

No different than downshifting in an ICE vehicle.

 

[i8iridium]

Last week, I saw this video on Technology Connections. And the very next day, a driver pulled up alongside me to tell me my brake lights were out.

I'm partial to using that L button on the shift dial for on-demand quasi-1PD, especially in stop&go traffic. It won't bring me to a full stop without the brake pedal, but pretty close.
But it seems the brake lights don't come in at all in this mode, unless you touch the brakes. Seems like a rear-end collision waiting to happen.
Has anyone been pulled over for having brake lights out yet?

This seems addressable by a software update. I just hope it doesn't take a fatal accident to make it happen.

because "L" or Low Range isn't meant as a normal braking mechanism. It's to simulate the Low Range mode on an ICE vehicle to use gearing down and engine braking. The brake lights don't activate on an ICE vehicle either.

 

[generaltso]

This seems addressable by a software update. I just hope it doesn't take a fatal accident to make it happen.

I highly doubt Ford is going to "fix" it because it's working as designed. They never intended for people to drive around in L mode all the time. And as that Technology Connections video says, there isn't any regulatory violation, so don't hold your breath.

Have you tried 1PD?

 

[DR.J56]

Patient: Doc it hurts when I do this.
Doc: Don’t do that.

Edit: May be just me but I don’t see how switching in and out of L on the fly is convenient. Why not just use 1pd?

 

[Logal727]

Just use 1PD, stop trying to reinvent the wheel

 

[Oldlawman]

I use 1PD exclusively in my AWD Mach as this suits my driving style. I know that the brake lights are on when actually stopped as I could see them reflected in the vehicle following me. Does anyone know at what stage of regenerative braking the brake lights come on - is it immediately on application or at the last moment?

 

[bdaughtry]

I use 1PD exclusively in my AWD Mach as this suits my driving style. I know that the brake lights are on when actually stopped as I could see them reflected in the vehicle following me. Does anyone know at what stage of regenerative braking the brake lights come on - is immediately on application or at the last moment?

As soon as you release the accelerator.

 

[Oldlawman]

As soon as you release the accelerator.

thank you kind sir

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

While I agree with the others' responses, damn that Hyundai broke brake light shit is baaaaaad.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I drive in Unbridled mode and the brake lights only come on under certain circumstances. You need to be developing enough of a rate of deceleration in order to activate the brake lights (generally you won’t without adding a little brake). Often the brake lights will come on and stay on under regenerative braking if the brakes are lightly tapped at the beginning of the event. And, of course, the brake lights always illuminate if the brake pedal is depressed.

 

[DevSecOps]

Just use 1PD, stop trying to reinvent the wheel

His profile says he's an Engineer ... Reinventing the wheel might be his thing

 

[JoeDimwit]

Patient: Doc it hurts when I do this.
Doc: Don’t do that.

Edit: May be just me but I don’t see how switching in and out of L on the fly is convenient. Why not just use 1pd?

I use whisper mode most of the time for the ability to “coast”. However, this does lead to times where I do need to slow somewhat quicker than just lifting my foot off the accelerator allows for. In those cases, I can toggle the “L” button and sloe significantly faster without actually braking hard.

 

[ctenidae]

This seems addressable by a software update. I just hope it doesn't take a fatal accident to make it happen.

Not to be pedantic, but it's probably best addressed by an operational change to utilize the systems as they are intended. Use 1PD if you want 1PD. Use "L" if you're used to the feel of a low-gear transmission in an ICE vehicle and need those effects in slippery or questionable conditions.

I'm biased by personal experience, but adding in the additional decision making, physical action, and resetting required to simply avoid adapting to a driving mode that easily provides the effects you're looking for just seems excessive, distracting, and prone to error.

 

[JJR]

Looks like I'm wrong again, but I thought that the deceleration sensor would activate the brake lights if in 1PD or not.
If not, why not?

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