Use of Neutral setting

[Coady]

Advice with auto ICE vehicle has been to engage Neutral when stopping for extended periods e.g. at traffic lights, to save wear on the drive system.
Should we apply the same principal to EVs?

 

[RossN]

I think it was to do with gears...we dont have any so should be fine

 

[SimonomiS]

I just press the P button if it's for more than a few seconds, takes it out of drive automatically and you can take your foot off the brake!

 

[Cocijo]

I just press the P button if it's for more than a few seconds, takes it out of drive automatically and you can take your foot off the brake!

Have you tried using auto-hold? you can take your foot off the brake with that too.

 

[SimonomiS]

Have you tried using auto-hold? you can take your foot off the brake with that too.

Not yet but I will!

 

[Petriix]

Autohold illuminates the brake lights which is, at best, inconsiderate. I'm not 100% certain, but putting it in P also seems to use less power (on the power flow screen). I know that most people just sit with their foot on the brake, but some of us learned to drive in a more civilised time.

 

[Cocijo]

Interesting thoughts - why is sitting with brake lights on inconsiderate?

 

[SimonomiS]

Interesting thoughts - why is sitting with brake lights on inconsiderate?

This surely won't be any different to the behaviour of an automatic ICE anyway?

 

[mj224]

Interesting thoughts - why is sitting with brake lights on inconsiderate?

Can well blind or cause eye strain on the following car. Especially if its wet..One of my pet hates. But I did not realise the Autohold does that, so thanks for that info...

 

[Jocko]

I have never had an issue with the car in front sitting with the brake lights on. Maybe just me. I do, however, use the handbrake myself.
I drove automatics for 25 years and never stuck it in Neutral at traffic lights. Again, I just applied the handbrake.

 

[Petriix]

Brake lights are bright enough to be visible in daylight from distance. Having them right in your face isn't pleasant. Same reason I never flash my lights to full beam to say 'thanks'; I dip to side lights and back. I gather that most drivers don't think twice about either of these things.

 

[Jocko]

I too switch to sidelights to say thanks.

 

[Coady]

Seem to be getting away from the original question!

 

[mj224]

Brake lights are bright enough to be visible in daylight from distance. Having them right in your face isn't pleasant. Same reason I never flash my lights to full beam to say 'thanks'; I dip to side lights and back. I gather that most drivers don't think twice about either of these things.

In days of old, the brake lights had dimmers on them when in daylight. On the better quality cars of course..

I have found, in the past, brake lights at night in the rain can be quite blinding in queues. They gotta be used I know, but just sitting there with you foot on the foot brake is not good for the car behind.

No-one is going to jail over it, but just food for thought..

 

[Jake]

The BMW i3 does not creep and so any brake is not needed unless on a steeper incline. That is one thing I miss with the MG but then I started using autohold which seems to do the trick. Now I have found out it keeps the brake lights lit I may start using Neutral. Does anybody know why the MG creeps?

 

[Kithmo]

Some years ago, I found brake lights irritating before I had my eyes tested.

 

[Cocijo]

Some EV’s have the option to turn creep on and off. Some also have one pedal driving where the car will come to a complete stop and apply the brake just by lifting off the accelerator without having to touch the brake pedal.
Some drivers do like the idea of a car that is similar to an ICE automatic in its creep characteristics. The MG does not have these options - it’s creep is always on but regeneration has 3 settings ?.
In terms of sitting in a EV with brake on in D it’s useful to know how this compares with conventional ICE automatics. There’s a much longer answer here which covers dual clutch automatics and variable drive automatics but I’ll stick to the conventional automatic with a torque converter. When sitting with engine running in D the engine is turning the torque converter which spins up the fluid. Long periods can cause this to get hot and also uses more fuel - it’s recommended that rather than sit for long periods in D to drop into N or P. It’s worth saying that with the advent of stop/start technology it really doesn’t matter much now at all as the engine is not idling for long periods anyway.
Now EV’s - when stopped in D with the brakes applied the motor is not turning and does not start to drive the wheels through the transfer gears until the accelerator is pressed. Popping into P or N is fine but not as essential as it was in older ICE automatics as not much is happening.
finally! Brake lights - I take onboard the points about sitting with brake lights on in traffic but with respect think that this is rather an old fashioned view. Most modern cars are designed so that their brake lights are on when parked with auto-hold engaged. I find it quite reassuring to be able to see that the brakes are on and when they are taken off and move away. It can also make a vehicle more easily visible If for example stopped around a blind bend. As far as their brightness is concerned - my TR6 brake lights are not even as bright as most LED side lights on modern cars but I’m not complaining as old cars had terrible and at times very dangerous lighting. I also like the rapid pulse flashing of brake lights under emergency braking which is a great idea.

 

[jonathanhoey]

The BMW i3 does not creep and so any brake is not needed unless on a steeper incline. That is one thing I miss with the MG but then I started using autohold which seems to do the trick.

I’ve also come to the MG5 from an i3 and that’s my single biggest gripe with how the MG drives. Autohold helps, but I find it takes a decent shove of the throttle to disengage it. Much less intuitive to drive.

Does anybody know why the MG creeps?

I’m sure it’s just because that’s what petrol automatics do, and they’ve copied it. There’s no technical reason for it. Just a pointless anachronism IMO.

I think creep can be turned on and off in the Kona/Niro. Be nice if we would get a software update to add the option, but obviously it’s not one to hold the breath over (and I mean, it’s a minor annoyance at worst in what is otherwise a good car).