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When do brake pads engage?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by qdllc, Oct 22, 2013.

  1. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    With the regenerative braking system, on the power meter, at what point are the brake pads likely to be engaging as compared to using the motor?

    I wonder because when I'm coming to a stop or coasting down a steep(er) hill, I like to apply some brake to recapture more energy but not press so hard as to be wearing on the brake pads. I'm not sure at what point the system would be engaging the brake pads for slowing/stopping.
     
    #1 qdllc, Oct 22, 2013
  2. zhenya

    zhenya Active Member

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    Speedwise, I believe it is 7mph. That's what it feels like to me, someone can probably verify one way or another from specs.
     
    #2 zhenya, Oct 22, 2013
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Watch the small white bar on the power display. When it's full friction brakes will start to function. Up to then the pads are "just touching" the disks (in a "ready to brake" position). The GIII will use regenerative brakes down to almost a stop.
     
    #3 David Beale, Oct 22, 2013
    sprtent and qdllc like this.
  4. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    That's what I thought. Thanks. (y)
     
    #4 qdllc, Oct 22, 2013
  5. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    The harder you push on the brake pedal the sooner you begin friction braking.

    Get a scangauge it shows the pressure on the brake pads.

    Sometimes just a little pressure will engage the brake pads even at high speed. I found if I watch the scangauge when braking I can control how much regen is occurring, generally when I am coming off the highway.
     
    #5 gliderman, Oct 22, 2013
  6. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    If you don't mind, what is the ScanGauge alfanumeric code and what unit of measurement is used?
     
    #6 BZzap!, Oct 22, 2013
  7. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    At high speed it takes relatively little pressure to max out the regen braking due to high current being generated (RPM). So the faster you are going the less pressure it takes to engage the friction brakes.
     
    #7 rdgrimes, Oct 22, 2013
  8. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    I dont remember, it has been so long since I programed it. There is a thread about programming your scan gauge somewhere on this forum.
     
    #8 gliderman, Oct 22, 2013
  9. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    No problem... I'm lazy.
     
    #9 BZzap!, Oct 22, 2013
  10. walterm

    walterm Active Member

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    #10 walterm, Oct 22, 2013
  11. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The specs for the Gen 3 state friction brakes applied below 7 mph. I can feel them apply when odometer is passing 7 mph.
     
    #11 jdcollins5, Oct 23, 2013
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