Impact of KERS on tyre wear

[MickeySw]

Neutral: Yes, I do it all the time, it just won't let you put it in reverse >1mph!! ?

I used to do this all the time with my previous EV and it made a significant difference.
I’ve yet to find a logical reason with our Trophy won’t let me do this most of the time (doesn’t seem to be speed or accelerator position related), anyone ever figured out (looking at this from a pure technical perspective not what you should or are legally allowed to do)?

 

[kevin ellard]

I used to do this all the time with my previous EV and it made a significant difference.
I’ve yet to find a logical reason with our Trophy won’t let me do this most of the time (doesn’t seem to be speed or accelerator position related), anyone ever figured out (looking at this from a pure technical perspective not what you should or are legally allowed to do)?

I don't think it will let you do anything with the gear selector unless your foot is on the brake. Im quite happy controlling the regen with the accelerator pedal and if I get bored with that I'll put the car in traffic jam mode and let it do it for me.

 

[PVperson]

An interesting thread. Regarding using KERS 3, brake pad wear will be reduced.

Does anyone have a routine of using the brakes, not necessarily to clean the discs, but to work the slider pins (hope this is the correct term as I am not very mechanical) ?

My previous Lexus hybrid had seized pins due to lack of use from the previous owner. Lubricating the pins was NOT in the service schedule. It was suggested to brake hard at least once a week or put the car into neutral on a downhill slope and brake (not recommended on safety grounds perhaps?)

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

Can the MG be put into neutral safely while coasting?

I have regularly slowed from 80mph to 20 leaving the motorway without touching the brake pedal. unfortunately my MG5 does not slow to a stop by regen, but about 6mph on the flat. I usually put in Neutral and coast to a stop! brakes are for emergencies, slowing to a final stop, or if you're approached a corner too fast! I only wish more people would remember what they were taught and use the hand brake when stopped, rather than idiotically stamping on the brake pedal when stationary at light and in traffic!!! I usually use my main beam and horn to remind them.
There have been times at my local level crossing, when behind an annoying driver who's got his foot on the brake for 4min+ I got out and educated them on the proper use of the hand brake....

 

[smokie]

I don't get aggressive motorists who think they have a right to enforce their will on others. You could probably do with trying to chill a bit when behind the wheel.

 

[Jomarkh]

I have regularly slowed from 80mph to 20 leaving the motorway without touching the brake pedal. unfortunately my MG5 does not slow to a stop by regen, but about 6mph on the flat. I usually put in Neutral and coast to a stop! brakes are for emergencies, slowing to a final stop, or if you're approached a corner too fast! I only wish more people would remember what they were taught and use the hand brake when stopped, rather than idiotically stamping on the brake pedal when stationary at light and in traffic!!! I usually use my main beam and horn to remind them.
There have been times at my local level crossing, when behind an annoying driver who's got his foot on the brake for 4min+ I got out and educated them on the proper use of the hand brake....

I was taught not to coast as you are not in full control of the vehicle.
I only use fog lights in the fog and 'P' when stopped.

 

[PVperson]

I have sensitive eyes, and don't like being blinded by high-intensity brake lights at close range. I usually have to put my hand blocking the brake lights of the idiot in front. Last night it was a Tesla S, and he quickly learnt to use the hand brake when stationary!

 

[PVperson]

I was taught not to coast as you are not in full control of the vehicle.
I only use fog lights in the fog and 'P' when stopped.

I think that's in an ICE where you have to push the clutch to put it back in gear. In an EV, you can cover the brake and put it in "Drive" in a fraction of a second.

 

[kevin ellard]

I have sensitive eyes, and don't lie being blinded by high-intensity brake lights at close range. I usually have to put my hand blocking the brake lights of the idiot in front. Last night it was a Tesla S, and he quickly learnt to use the hand brake when stationary!

I wouldn't dream of using the handbrake in my MG5. It comes on on its own when I turn the car off but apart from that I don't touch it.

 

[Pebblefeline]

Life is too short to be stressed about things that aren’t dangerous

 

[decrep]

Nobody has ever mentioned to me, not to use the foot brake when stopped at lights. In fact quite the opposite, probably because early Holden handbrakes were notorious for not working. (That's why a brick was always carried in the boot, so somebody could get out and place behind the rear wheel

 

[m4rmite]

I have regularly slowed from 80mph to 20 leaving the motorway without touching the brake pedal. unfortunately my MG5 does not slow to a stop by regen, but about 6mph on the flat. I usually put in Neutral and coast to a stop! brakes are for emergencies, slowing to a final stop, or if you're approached a corner too fast! I only wish more people would remember what they were taught and use the hand brake when stopped, rather than idiotically stamping on the brake pedal when stationary at light and in traffic!!! I usually use my main beam and horn to remind them.
There have been times at my local level crossing, when behind an annoying driver who's got his foot on the brake for 4min+ I got out and educated them on the proper use of the hand brake....

I feel you're the one who needs educating.
You should know that the mg5, when using auto hold, enables its brakes lights. The driver doesn't have to have their foot on the brake pedal.

And I'd certainly be enquiring why you're holding down your horn if you were behind me.

I also find the light from the brakes helps the person behind to see their phone, that they are usually fixated on.

 

[crispyjay]

I have regularly slowed from 80mph to 20 leaving the motorway without touching the brake pedal. unfortunately my MG5 does not slow to a stop by regen, but about 6mph on the flat. I usually put in Neutral and coast to a stop! brakes are for emergencies, slowing to a final stop, or if you're approached a corner too fast! I only wish more people would remember what they were taught and use the hand brake when stopped, rather than idiotically stamping on the brake pedal when stationary at light and in traffic!!! I usually use my main beam and horn to remind them.
There have been times at my local level crossing, when behind an annoying driver who's got his foot on the brake for 4min+ I got out and educated them on the proper use of the hand brake....

Can’t wait for a nice policeman who was in front (and now behind you) to educate you on driving at 80mph

 

[Pebblefeline]

Unsung the horn for anything other than alerting another user for safeties sake is illegal in theory

As is exiting your vehicle in a live road to talk to another driver

Holding you car particularly an automatic at the lights in the foot brake is not

 

[Gomev]

I feel you're the one who needs educating.
You should know that the mg5, when using auto hold, enables its brakes lights. The driver doesn't have to have their foot on the brake pedal.

...

Yep, Autohold which applies the handbrake, and not only the MG5 but other MGs and makes, my Hyundai for one.

 

[Coulomb]

Yep, Autohold which applies the handbrake,

Did you mean the foot (hydraulic) brake?

On my ZS EV, auto hold activates the hydraulic brake, which releases more quickly than the handbrake. Though if you are waiting with autohold more than about 5 minutes, it seems to transfer automatically to the handbrake.

All this is rather unfortunate for people with sensitive eyes, as brake lights by law have to be a certain brightness to get attention even in poor weather.

 

[Paulie68]

I have regularly slowed from 80mph to 20 leaving the motorway without touching the brake pedal. unfortunately my MG5 does not slow to a stop by regen, but about 6mph on the flat. I usually put in Neutral and coast to a stop! brakes are for emergencies, slowing to a final stop, or if you're approached a corner too fast! I only wish more people would remember what they were taught and use the hand brake when stopped, rather than idiotically stamping on the brake pedal when stationary at light and in traffic!!! I usually use my main beam and horn to remind them.
There have been times at my local level crossing, when behind an annoying driver who's got his foot on the brake for 4min+ I got out and educated them on the proper use of the hand brake....

Bearing in mind some cars now turn on the brake light when using auto hold, so it's not necessarily the driver holding their foot on the brake, you really ought to stop that behaviour. It's also dangerous for yourself and your car. Doing the turning up at the drivers window to "educate" thing to the wrong person having a bad day and it may not end well for you!

 

[PVperson]

I wouldn't dream of using the handbrake in my MG5. It comes on on its own when I turn the car off but apart from that I don't touch it.

So, you would fail your driving test, and are aggravating drivers behind you whenever you do that (incorrectly keep your foot stamped on the brake pedal) the hand brake comes on and off with a touch of the centre of the drive knob, why do you think it's so prominent??
You will also burn out your brake light bulbs 10x faster, not covered in the warranty, and you have to replace them.

The Highway Code says that you should use the handbrake when:
Parking
You should apply the handbrake when you park your car, including when you're parking on a hill.
Stopping in traffic
You should apply the handbrake in stationary traffic queues. Once the traffic moves, you can take your foot off the brake to avoid blinding the drivers behind you.
Waiting
If you're stopped for more than five seconds, you should apply the handbrake. This frees up your feet so you can use the accelerator and clutch when you're ready to move again.

 

[m4rmite]

It also says 70mph is the maximum speed allowed.

There's also no clutch in most evs, barring conversions

But we all pick the bits we like it seems

 

[Pebblefeline]

it also has sections about using your horn

And

About leaving your vehicle to educate other drivers…….

In an automatic they are designed (and encouraged) to use the foot brake not the hand or emergency brake

I would also contend the footbrake is safer at lights as it brakes all four wheels not just the rear 2, so should you be shunted ………

 

[smokie]

So, you would fail your driving test, ...

It's a bit rich to be quoting proper practice in defence of your actions. Nowhere is it said that you can lean on your horn if something displeases you, and if that doesn't work get out and physically confront another road user.

If the brake lights distress you, simply stop a bit further away from the car in front and avert your eyes as much as poss.

Have you seen an optician btw?