Does Intelligent Speed Limiter (TSR) disable regeneration

[ptw]

This topic was being discussed in another post about dynamic cruise control and traffic sign recognition but I think it needs a separate thread. I have found that using the intelligent speed limiter appears to disable the brake regeneration. I have the regeneration always set to 3, so perhaps it still works but at say level 1, although it feels as if there is none is taking place. Is anyone else experiencing this, or is there something that I'm not doing right?

 

[MG Clive]

Yes you're correct @ptw, I put this to the test while taking Mrs Clive to work this morning, and there was definitely no regeneration when the intelligent speed limiter is turned on. The two appear to be directly linked, if you're slowing down under regeneration and turn the limiter on and off during this, you can feel the regen going off and on.

 

[ptw]

I'll raise the question as to why it does it with MG support

 

[MG Clive]

I'll raise the question as to why it does it with MG support

It would be interesting to have an answer, MG must have decided this was necessary for some reason.

 

[ptw]

I'll certainly let you know, I've just sent it off to them

 

[Italy]

It would be interesting to have an answer, MG must have decided this was necessary for some reason.

On my old Jazz hybrid, the electronic system emitted an alert if I engaged the adaptive cruise control when the selector was on B (regeneration).
It refused to do so; I had to be on D.

 

[ptw]

The MG3 does allow ACC & regen

 

[Big Ears]

I know we need re-gen but I do miss just coasting when I take my foot off the "gas".

 

[ptw]

So do I actually, but as you say we need it.

 

[Big Ears]

So do I actually, bug as you say we need it

Well yes, but it's supposed to self charge I thought, so I assumed some would come from the engine , but I've not seen it mentioned anywhere.

It's weird too I've mentioned before that the kW meter is the wrong way round, when I "gas" it, I expect to see a minus kw number as I'm using the motor, and a positive when it does re-gen.

 

[ptw]

It is odd the way the meter works. I believe the only way it charges is through regeneration braking which is why I have mine set at 3. It will be interesting as to what happens when I go for a long trip up the motorway this weekend as to how much the engine is used.

 

[Big Ears]

I don't rate it as a motorway car at all. The engine is too harsh and the road noise is terrible.

 

[ptw]

Really? That surprises me, but I'll soon find out

 

[Big Ears]

I suppose it makes a difference what car you came from, the Fiesta was a quiet car even though it was a diesel, very easy to be doing 90+ it was that quiet, 50-60 is enough in the MG

 

[ptw]

Yes you're correct @ptw, I put this to the test while taking Mrs Clive to work this morning, and there was definitely no regeneration when the intelligent speed limiter is turned on. The two appear to be directly linked, if you're slowing down under regeneration and turn the limiter on and off during this, you can feel the regen going off and on.

I've had a reply from MG: Thank you for contacting MG customer service.

I can confirm that the ISL has no impact on brake regeneration.

Please be aware, however, that brake regeneration only kicks in when the battery is below 90%.

I replied to say they are incorrect and that others have the same situation, I'll update when I get a further reply

 

[MG Clive]

I replied to say they are incorrect and that others have the same situation, I'll update when I get a further reply

They are definitely incorrect, I've done a 30 mile drive today, and there is zero brake regeneration when the ISL is activated.

 

[ptw]

Well yes, but it's supposed to self charge I thought, so I assumed some would come from the engine , but I've not seen it mentioned anywhere.

It's weird too I've mentioned before that the kW meter is the wrong way round, when I "gas" it, I expect to see a minus kw number as I'm using the motor, and a positive when it does re-gen.

Apologies I misled you, my mechanic friend has put me right. He says the car is driven by electric motors, the engine just charges the battery and kicks in when that is needed, brake regeneration also charges the battery. If you check the display you can see the electric motor is always shown on the right of the drivers display.

Further update: Even my mechanic friend is wrong, here is the correct way the car operates, I got this info from Parkers, and it appears to be the most logical explanation:

"The car runs in a variety of ways’ EV is only for short distances, depending on how much charge is in the larger-than-average 1.83kWh battery pack. Beyond that, there’s ‘Series’ mode, where the engine powers the electric motor for drive, ‘Series and Charge’, where the engine also tops-up the battery, ‘Drive and Charge, where the engine drives the wheels and charges the battery, and ‘Parallel’, where both engine and electric motor power the wheels."

Why MG can't explain it like this is something they should look into.

 

[ptw]

It is odd the way the meter works. I believe the only way it charges is through regeneration braking which is why I have mine set at 3. It will be interesting as to what happens when I go for a long trip up the motorway this weekend as to how much the engine is used.

Well I have been away for 5 days and a real mixture of driving and I found it a joy. The engine comes in more on motorways because no regeneration is taking place, and when accelerating faster than you do on minor roads, but I didn't find any noise problems that somd have said on the forum and I certainly can't agree that a Fiesta diesel is quieter. I think any intrusive noise is only a perception because when it is on electric power it is so quiet. There are a lot of things that could do with smoothing out with software glitches, perhaps the heating was the weirdest experience where after 30.minutes it suddenly hit very high or very cold and I couldn't pin it down to anything specific such as engine cutting in or visa versa. The only other thing is that we had a 2.5 hour drive home plus a further hour in an accident delay and we found the seats were very uncomfortable after 2 hours. Still impressed for a car this size with what it offers you

 

[Italy]

Noise seems to be amplified in a hybrid or electric car because there are many more phases of silence. Our ears also seem to react to the slightest noise that would be hidden in a combustion and diesel vehicle.

As for the uncomfortable seats, I haven't noticed that yet.

Regarding the starting of the internal combustion engine, which may seem anarchic and uncoordinated, it seems to me that MG's priority is to recharge the 1.83 HT battery and be able to drive electric.
Unlike Toyota and Honda, who do not favour electric operation.
The internal combustion engine that runs to recharge the HT battery in the MG3 must not consume much because it does not drive the traction wheels.

 

[Big Ears]

The internal combustion engine that runs to recharge the HT battery in the MG3 must not consume much because it does not drive the traction wheels.

Are you sure about that, I've not read it elsewhere.