. They control the level of regenerative braking. The left paddle increases it, and the right paddle decreases it. Basically, it slows the car without using the traditional brakes and uses the cars kinetic energy to recharge the battery. It's really useful for long downhill sections of road where you're wanting to maintain a speed, and in regular cars you'd use the traditional brakes to do that.How do the paddle shifters work? I own the 2019 Insight and read somewhere they have nothing to do with shifting, but they are related to recharging the battery. Can someone explain?
Doesn't the car have regenerative braking even without the paddle shifters? I thought the car was always doing this when breaking, coasting, etc. Do the paddle shifters just do this more than the default amount?
Since more charge is going to the battery, the car can run on the battery longer without needing the gas engine to start up and charge it. So, yes. I've exceeded the EPA mileage by 2-3 mpg every day since I've owned it.and by "getting more charging" are you getting better gas mileage?
Yeah, I always do a quick glimpse of my rear view mirror if I have a car following me before using the minus paddle (if they are really close I use the brake). Otherwise I like using the minus paddle cause I don't have to move my foot from the gas pedal in certain situations.I personally view the paddles as a little bit of a gimmick. When you press on the brakes, the regenerative brakes starts working. Using the paddles and slightly pressing on the brakes accomplish the same thing. But the paddles do not activate the brake lights … so they are slightly more dangerous.
I guess the only real benefit is if you are going down a steep hill. The paddles would be equivalent to shifting in lower gear in a normal car.
By the way, if this is your first hybrid, regenerative braking is awesome. I had a Prius that went 150k miles before I changed the brakes.
VERY Helpful! I was pulling both LEFT + RIGHT Paddles towards me...DOH! :smile_big: Now, I know! I would like to see a Hack wherein you just PULL-HOLD the LEFT Paddle and it does Max Regen. Pumping it 2x doesn't make any functional sense to me.You are correct. When coasting or regular braking, there is regenerative braking going on. You can adjust the level to add more using the left paddle or back it down from what you added with the the right paddle. It's helpful on downhill sections of roadway with steeper grades. I also use it to slow down when I'm approaching a stop sign or stop light before I apply the brake pedal. This way I get more charging.
Functionally, I think it doesn't go to immediate "max" because it can cause loss of traction. I feel the car pull back a little when I make the first click, and I pause a bit before I make the second click. Honda warns through the manual that "rapidly increasing the deceleration rate by quickly shifting the paddle can cause the tires to skid." This is especially true in rain or snow conditions...VERY Helpful! I was pulling both LEFT + RIGHT Paddles towards me...DOH! :smile_big: Now, I know! I would like to see a Hack wherein you just PULL-HOLD the LEFT Paddle and it does Max Regen. Pumping it 2x doesn't make any functional sense to me.
Whoa, thanks for that info. I better stop that bad habit of pull-pull. I did just get my car back from tint and notice the draw like you mentioned. 3rd Day of ownership and learning everyday! THXFunctionally, I think it doesn't go to immediate "max" because it can cause loss of traction.
Do you think VSA will prevent the skidding? I'm just use to double pulling on the deceleration paddle for max regenerative braking. No skidding so far even though I know the risk. I don't do it when it is raining or snow on the ground though(keep my distance on dry roads, too).Functionally, I think it doesn't go to immediate "max" because it can cause loss of traction. I feel the car pull back a little when I make the first click, and I pause a bit before I make the second click. Honda warns through the manual that "rapidly increasing the deceleration rate by quickly shifting the paddle can cause the tires to skid." This is especially true in rain or snow conditions...