Quote:
Originally Posted by n55x3
Just to follow up, did a little digging and didn't find any reference to BMW's regenerative braking actually generating an electrical charge by way of applying the rear pads to the rear rotors. I do see it is pretty well documented that the system works when coasting or pressing the brakes, essentially any situation where you are not trying to maintain or increase forward momentum, by way of engaging the alternator which in turn recharges the glass mat batteries. This may or may not be complimented by a "power converter fitted directly within the braking mechanism." http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006...troduces_.html
Did find this interesting comment on wiki:
During the late 2000s, a system described as "brake energy regeneration" is a misnomer for an electronic control unit used by BMW that engages the alternator during braking, while freewheeling during acceleration and limiting its horsepower draw from the car’s engine while cruising.[13]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_regeneration_brake
It seems that there is a lot going on while coasting but I haven't been able to find any documentation stating the rear brakes actually engage when you lift off the gas. Seems a bit counter intuitive. I'm of the belief that when coasting these vehicles are simply not dragging the rear brakes thus not a contributing factor to the rear pads wearing out sooner than the fronts.
Definitely an interesting topic and is a rather fun one to research! |
QFT.
BMW's is not a regen system like what you would get in a Camry Hybrid. A bit of marketing hyperbole (flat out lie imo
) especially with that blue thing that shows up on the fuel economy guage if you have an Extended Display cluster.