DRCC

I don't know the answer for sure, but my guess is that some level of deceleration demand from the DRCC controller will light the brake lights.

 

manual pg 395:

1. Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
   When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears
   
   When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver. Approach warning warns you when the system cannot decelerate suffi- ciently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
   

 

Seems like there should be a light on the dash letting you know whenever the brake light is lit by DRCC. Normal driving of course you always know when the brakes are being applied, but not in DRCC, although sometimes maybe you can feel the brakes being applied but not always.

The reason I would want an indicator is because the brake light is a signal to other drivers, so if I am signaling in any way I want to know about it. Maybe others would find the brake indicator light annoying or distracting so it would need to be optional whether it is displayed.

 

See if you can buy a single, fiber optic cable (sold in Walmart for audio systems) and then use 'blue' painter tape to affix it to the brake lens. Test to make sure when the light comes on, you see the light at the other end. Use aluminum foil as needed to increase the light capture. Then tape the cable over the top to the windshield so you can see the brake light illuminated in the fiber. After you run a series of benchmarks, pull everything off and share your results.

Bob Wilson

 

My subaru has a display with a car icon facing forward that lights up its brake lights anytime the actual cars brake lights activate. In your scenario, mine would NOT come on if only letting off the accelerator and coasting is all that is needed to match speeds.

 

Or maybe install a brake periscope! Sort of like a refrigerator periscope that lets you make sure that your refrigerator light turns off when you close the door

 

for a more practical approach, though not permanent, I was curious about when the brake lights came on as ell so i took the car out one night in the dark onto a road that is not lighted, you can simulate the DRCC by reducing the set speed rapidly pushing down the lever and assuming traffic allows you can see the brake lights in the rear mirror ...
and as for yet another indicator ... there are a lot already, not sure that i would want another one

 

An indicator would be very helpful. My previous vehicle was a Subaru with the EyeSight system. Whenever the adaptive cruise control on the Subaru would brake, the car icon on the dash would show red brake lights. Very cool information that I miss on my Prius.

 

The hybrid system indicator shows you when it's in regen, and DRCC is just like pushing on the brake pedal - regen first.

 

The question is: when do the brake lights come on? Do the brake lights come on whenever the brake pedal is pressed in any amount, regardless of whether the system is using regeneration or friction brakes? If DRCC slows you down, do the brake lights always come on, or only under certain conditions, such as when the friction brakes are needed?

 

Yes.

Only under sufficient braking force.

 

So if you are going down a long hill, and maintain your speed by lightly applying the brakes, then the brake lights are on, but if you maintain your speed with DRCC, they won't be?

 

Same as if you maintain your speed with B mode. B mode won't light the brake lights but a light touch on the pedal for the same regen will. I don't know where in the force diagram DRCC will light the brake light.