Just wondering...when applying the brake, is it actually braking while spinning the regen motor, or is it using the regen motor up until a certain point then braking?
How it was explained to me... depending on how hard you apply the brakes, regen happens from x mph down to about 7 mph and then the friction brakes are applied. If you hit the brake pedal hard then it is all friction no matter the speed. Correct me if I am wrong anyone.
Correct. Regeneration is also limited by the capacity of MG2 to make electricity and the ability of the battery to absorb the energy. Reaching one of these limits will initiate engine braking and/or friction braking. Regeneration and friction braking can operate simultaneously. Tom
Then, on the ECO bar, is it a good assumption if the charge bar is not maxed out then we are only engaging the regenerative breaking and not friction breaking? I would like to maximize the regeneration and minimize the friction breaking (in addition to the wear and tear on normal breaks). Also, what happens if the battery is full/near full? Does friction breaking only work? Thanks
Don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but did the Gen3 regen braking system change substantially from Gen2? I've sold my '06 Prius back in 2007, but seem to 'feel' a difference in the feedback when breaking in the Gen3 Prius. Anyone else noticed the difference?