Does any else with a 2018 Clarity want a diffferent ratio input on the paddle shifters to the CVT, to allow for downshifing with the paddle shifters to have a meaningful impact on the car slowing down? Could this possibly be a software change? I am used to paddle shifters on my BMW 335ix that really did something approaching a turn, or coming to an upcoming Stop sign, and I wish Honda could do something to the Clarity's paddle shifters.
Clarity Paddle Shifters
- Thread starter Docpsych
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I understand that the Clairty shifters are primarily regenerative braking controls. I further understand that the Clarity uses a planetary gear set with 2 motor/generators, not a belt driven CVT. So, yes, not a true CVT but in essence, a CVT. But your reply does not answer my question. Can the impact of the padddles be changed to increase braking, and why didn't Honda consider this when designing how the paddles impact braking?
jdonalds
Well-Known Member
Actually no planetary gear set either.
We are already challenged getting Honda to correct the useless HV range value. The likelihood of getting Honda to respond to feature requests is very low.
It would be great if other car manufacturers would behave like Tesla with frequent downloads to correct and improve the car.
We are already challenged getting Honda to correct the useless HV range value. The likelihood of getting Honda to respond to feature requests is very low.
It would be great if other car manufacturers would behave like Tesla with frequent downloads to correct and improve the car.
KentuckyKen
Well-Known Member
HV range fix is available as of 6/2/18.
Go to dealer for update
Go to dealer for update
The Clarity has a multi mode power split transmission using 2 electric motors for CVT operation and can be clutched to act as a simple single speed gear reduction transmission.
No, unfortunately the paddles are somewhat useless. More regen is possible by stepping on the brake pedal (it blends friction and regen). Best bet is to complain to Honda.
No, unfortunately the paddles are somewhat useless. More regen is possible by stepping on the brake pedal (it blends friction and regen). Best bet is to complain to Honda.
KentuckyKen
Well-Known Member
Not going to get into the eCVT debate as I suspect it is mostly a question of semantics.
I just want to mention that changing transmission fluid is a maintenance item despite whatever it’s doing and whatever you want to call it and however you define the word transmission.
I just want to mention that changing transmission fluid is a maintenance item despite whatever it’s doing and whatever you want to call it and however you define the word transmission.
StickWare
Active Member
Obviously you are missing the major point of these paddles. Yes, braking does regen, but by using the paddles you save a ton of life on your brakes!
So, you keep using your brakes, and pay $700 for a few brake jobs, while I just paddle away and pay nothing for a much much longer time.
The car doesn't engage the brakes immediately when you step on the brakes (or not much). It uses regen first if possible. If you push harder than the regen can provide the brakes are engaged. So even using the brake pedal lightly will serve a similar function of preserving brakes.Obviously you are missing the major point of these paddles. Yes, braking does regen, but by using the paddles you save a ton of life on your brakes!
So, you keep using your brakes, and pay $700 for a few brake jobs, while I just paddle away and pay nothing for a much much longer time.
If the battery is full and it can't regen brakes will be used immediately. Regen paddles won't work either in this case.
Try it, watch the power gauge as you "brake", and it will jump up in regen to a higher level than possible with paddle settings, brakes aren't used (or not much) until you brake harder than that. Volt does a better job implementing paddles, but they might be patented.
KentuckyKen
Well-Known Member
As long as you don’t bottom the power meter out into the end of the green with a heavy foot, I don’t believe there is any more physical braking than using the paddles. And even w paddles, you physically brake at the very end of the stop.
StickWare
Active Member
Where are you getting this information??? Pure speculation ???
I totally disagree. The brake petal controls the actual physical brakes.
.
Yea. But to slow a car down from 20mph is nothing compared to 70mph.
If you bothered to read my post the car tells you want it is doing as you press the brake pedal, you won't use much physical braking even pressing brake pedal until you max out the regen.
And where did you get this info from? Another speculation?
I don’t think so. My car operates the same way.
I think the debate is whether engaging the left hand regen handle applies braking. Which is does, by using the regeneration system.
Using the brake pedal will also apply a combination of regeneration and brake pad engagement at the wheel as the module sees fit to slow the vehicle down based on operating conditions.
Or maybe I’m misunderstanding the OP’s question too.
He needs to report back.
-Skip
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LaCucaracha
New Member
Hmm, lots of interesting comments here. I only have a few miles on my Clarity, but anecdotally the tenths of a mile increase in increasing the paddles seems to increase regeneration faster than pressing the brakes. In my old Civic hybrid, without paddles, it was better to coast as long as possible before pressing the brakes. Braking=lost kinetic energy.
Personally, I would be in favor of a software update where the paddles would stay at what I set it at until I power off the car or manually adjust versus automatically resetting after a few seconds. It would seem to be a simple fix, but there is probably some safety or crash test reason for the quick reset each time to stay alert, so the driver knows the brake force/distance needed to stop.
Personally, I would be in favor of a software update where the paddles would stay at what I set it at until I power off the car or manually adjust versus automatically resetting after a few seconds. It would seem to be a simple fix, but there is probably some safety or crash test reason for the quick reset each time to stay alert, so the driver knows the brake force/distance needed to stop.
I have an egolf (2017) and a Clarity. I was totally confused with the paddles, since my egolf has different regen levels That you set with a press of the gearshift. So I expected the paddles to behave similarly. I had to read the manual to discover that the paddles reset all the time. (Which I find ridiculous, why give us a minus paddle if it resets after a few seconds). I did read that the regen level “sticks” if you are in sport mode. So the behaviour we expect and want could be a simple software solution to just have the sport mode style of paddle behaviour exist all the time. I haven’t tried Sport mode yet, as I’ve been trying eco mode to eek every km out of the battery! I’ll investigate sport mode soon. (Only had the car 4 days lol.
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Emagin
Member
Has anyone gathered data on regen to battery via paddles vs (light) braking?
I've been playing w/this on gentle downhills leading to a stop or slowed down cars ahead.
I have to brake eventually to stop, but use paddles first to slow car down.
When I watch the green charge arc it seems to:
Is it to:
I've been playing w/this on gentle downhills leading to a stop or slowed down cars ahead.
I have to brake eventually to stop, but use paddles first to slow car down.
When I watch the green charge arc it seems to:
- Braking - dip deeper (more regen) but also slows car faster
- Paddle (4 chevs) - Dip shallower (less regen) but sustains the regen longer
Is it to:
- Shift the burden of braking from foot to hand (ergonomics)?
- Give twitchy/manual drivers a sense of shifting (interactivity/features)
- Actually increase regen capacity with finer/longer energy discharge to batter
jdonalds
Well-Known Member
Two responses.
1) I like using the paddles only because it ensures I'm not using the physical brakes, saving the brakes.
2) I like to use ACC often, even around town. It is especially handy for going down hill because it will use regen to slow the car and maintain the set speed. So I don't bother with the paddles going down hill. The ACC does it for me. If, in addition to simply going down hill, there are cars in front of me the ACC will bring the car to a full stop if the car ahead does first.