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Engine Braking

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Jerry Sneirson, Dec 28, 2016.

  1. Jerry Sneirson

    Jerry Sneirson Junior Member

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    When closing on a car ahead while using Cruise Control, the car uses engine braking. Is there any way to stop this without disengaging Cruise control?
     
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    The car should be doing regenerative braking first, then engine braking if the former isn't enough.

    The only other choices are friction brakes, or a crash.
     
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  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Why? What speed were you doing? Is the battery full?. It will initially use REGENERATIVE braking (unless the battery is full), as well as engine braking and the friction brakes - (otherwise it'll run into the car in front).

    If the battery isn't fully charged and not severe braking, it will use regenerative braking. The computer works out how far the car in front is and how severe the braking has to be, then applies the most appropriate braking.

    Friction braking is the primary braking - like any other car, it will bring the car to a halt very quickly. Engine braking, I've only noticed when the battery is full. Regenerative braking won't completely stop the PRIUS (the friction brakes do the last few km/hr to being stopped - it is part of the HYBRID system, to capture energy and store in the battery to be re-used in driving later, and is probably used most.

    But the PRIUS uses REGEN first - and sometimes almost till standstill if the braking isn't severe.
     
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  4. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    You could switch to the standard cruise control instead of dynamic cruise control, by pressing and holding the button on the end of the stalk for 1.5 seconds or more.
     
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  5. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    THIS. Other brands call it "adaptive" cruise control.
    On my Ford, the activation distance is adjustable too.
    I can't imagine a good reason to turn it off.......but to each his own, I guess.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Are you hearing engine RPM climb? That's the only clue I can think of, that would suggest engine braking is occurring. Try shifting to B on a good downgrade with some decent speed, apply the brakes. That'll give you a feel for when the car's engine braking.

    I strongly suspect nothing's wrong here. ;)
     
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  7. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    For what it's worth, my 2016 Four Touring does not act in this manner. When in CC, even in the event of quick slowing, the regen braking and the friction braking are the only means used. When in "B" mode (Engine Braking), CC should be inoperable.
     
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  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    My Gen 3 will divert regen braking amps to spinning the engine if the battery state-of-charge is high. They have to go somewhere....

    -Chap
     
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  9. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    I guess we need to know from the OP if:
    A) He wants the automatic braking to stop completely
    OR
    B) If he wants to change how the braking works.

    A should be possible. B is not......unless he is driving in B already.
     
  10. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Mine does - in undulating hilly driving, if it's got a full battery, I've heard the ICE spinning on downhill runs. But, it HAS to do that (or WASTE friction brakes) above certain speeds, otherwise MG1 will over-speed.
     
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