Using "L" as a brake?

[HowdyDoody]

I usually drive in whisper mode (non-one pedal driving) and have been using the L button as a way to slow down when coming to a light or upcoming traffic or an off ramp without using my foot. It's almost like a game to see if I can do it efficiently without using the brake or slowing too much when not needed. Am I the only one who does this? Does anyone know if this is good, bad, or indifferent for the vehicle, or efficiency.

By the way: Mach E = best car ever.

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[generaltso]

It's not good or bad, but the MME has blended braking, so you can do the same thing with the brake pedal.

 

[HowdyDoody]

It's not good or bad, but the MME has blended braking, so you can do the same thing with the brake pedal.

Can you though? With L you are 100% only using the regen, with the foot, it's less clear, no?

 

[generaltso]

Can you though? With L you are 100% only using the regen, with the foot, it's less clear, no?

You can feel when the friction brake kicks in. If you don't press the pedal hard, it doesn't kick in until you're almost stopped.

 

[JohnnyForensic]

Plus. you’re essentially driving 1PD at that point, so why not just drive 1PD?

 

[daemonic3]

Can you though? With L you are 100% only using the regen, with the foot, it's less clear, no?

It is less clear but if you use Engage mode you get the brake score to let you know if you pressed too hard at one point and used friction. It is *really* easy to get 100% on this car versus my hybrid F150 where I consider it a challenge every time to get >95%. I trained myself on the hybrid and the mach is too easy.

I practiced with the L on downhills and found it pretty handy in slowing down knowing you aren't wasting friction accidentally. Our ankles aren't perfect but the L is for exactly what you mention.

 

[highland58]

I don't use L quite that much, but I do put it in L often when going down hills. It gives a substantial and measured amount of regen, while braking is more variable. I can get my trip average m/kwh up to between 5 and 7 on a longer hill.

 

[hawkeye3point1]

Am I the only one who does this? Does anyone know if this is good, bad, or indifferent for the vehicle, or efficiency.

Use L a lot myself, previously had a Chevy EV that had a regen paddle on the steer wheel, L is an OK substitute for that. I think of it as on-demand 1PD, coast then L to decel. It is just another means to the same end, and a driving preference thing.

Word of caution, L should, but does not give you brake lights like brake pedal or 1PD. Plan accordingly if someone is close behind.

 

[SnBGC]

I usually drive in whisper mode (non-one pedal driving) and have been using the L button as a way to slow down when coming to a light or upcoming traffic or an off ramp without using my foot. It's almost like a game to see if I can do it efficiently without using the brake or slowing too much when not needed. Am I the only one who does this? Does anyone know if this is good, bad, or indifferent for the vehicle, or efficiency.

By the way: Mach E = best car ever.

What you are doing is fine. I do the same. I like to use L for lots situations such as freeway exits, cloverleaf interchanges (downhill), parking garages etc

I find it very convenient and it is one of my very favorite features of the car.

 

[highland58]

Use L a lot myself, previously had a Chevy EV that had a regen paddle on the steer wheel, L is an OK substitute for that. I think of it as on-demand 1PD, coast then L to decel. It is just another means to the same end, and a driving preference thing.

Word of caution, L should, but does not give you brake lights like brake pedal or 1PD. Plan accordingly if someone is close behind.

Stick shift does not show brake lights either when you downshift - same/same.

 

[smcnair]

Stick shift does not show brake lights either when you downshift - same/same.

some folks are trying to figure this one out..."a what shift?"

 

[highland58]

some folks are trying to figure this one out..."a what shift?"

I learned to drive in a 60s VW bug with a what shift. Extra points if you can describe shifting into reverse.

 

[nvabill]

I usually drive in whisper mode (non-one pedal driving) and have been using the L button as a way to slow down when coming to a light or upcoming traffic or an off ramp without using my foot. It's almost like a game to see if I can do it efficiently without using the brake or slowing too much when not needed. Am I the only one who does this? Does anyone know if this is good, bad, or indifferent for the vehicle, or efficiency.

By the way: Mach E = best car ever.

Too funny you just posted this, just picked the car up Friday and discovered today how to use L button for something other than car wash.

 

[DaMeatMan]

I usually drive in whisper mode (non-one pedal driving) and have been using the L button as a way to slow down when coming to a light or upcoming traffic or an off ramp without using my foot. It's almost like a game to see if I can do it efficiently without using the brake or slowing too much when not needed. Am I the only one who does this? Does anyone know if this is good, bad, or indifferent for the vehicle, or efficiency.

By the way: Mach E = best car ever.

I use L mode whenever on the highway. I like having max regen to be able to easily and quickly begin to slow down without having to touch my breaks. Break lights on the highway are almost always a cause for traffic jams, usually caused by folks practically right up the rear end of the guy infront of them. Causing everyone behind them to start hitting the breaks as well, in anticipation of a harder stop instead of just easing off the gas.

I don't like 1 pedal, and I don't want to stiffen up the steering wheel feel by setting the car in Unbridled, so L works and feels great for me in combination with Engaged.

 

[ShadowCVL]

Stick shift does not show brake lights either when you downshift - same/same.

This is true, though I have never tried to downshift past 3rd gear on a 5 speed or 2nd on a 4 before. Ive never driven a 3 speed.

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