Sport Mode -all the time!

C

Carro con enchufe

Active Member
When I first bought my Clarity I was obsessive about driving as efficiently as possible with no ICE, so I used Eco mode, except switching to Sport if I needed to merge on a highway or needed fast acceleration.

I also like one pedal regenerative driving, along with occasional swift acceleration. Now that I’m a seasoned 2k mile owner, I’ve switched to using Sport mode, all the time. Here’s why:

-I still get the same battery range as long as I don’t drive too aggressively
-I don’t have trouble with unexpected ICE operation, as long as I accelerate within the blue line area. I rarely accidentally turn on the ICE, and I’m getting better at it never turning on
-I have the full range of acceleration available, without having to search for a button in case I need speed suddenly
-I turn on regeneration and it stays on. One pedal driving is the best, especially since my previous car was a stick shift and I downshifted going downhill or to slow down a lot
As I said, if you avoid jackrabbit starts, sport mode is just as efficient as Eco.

Anyone else like Sport all the time?
 
BTW, 0-60 in all modes is identical if go pedal is pushed past detent to floor. Don't feel need for safety to drive in one mode over another.

I found I accidentally engaged ICE too frequently in sport, and Econ accelerates briskly with heavy go pedal application (similar to sport, just have to push further). I agree, prefer go pedal response in sport.

However, only reason I don't use sport is it is my wife's car and it annoyed the heck out of her when it was in normal every time she drove it after me instead of Econ. However, I would consider sport mandatory for highway cruise driving, it resumes much faster than Econ.

Eric
 
It's just a program. If you learn how fast/far/hard you can push go pedal in any of the modes, you can achieve pretty much the same results. Try it!
 
bfd said:
It's just a program. If you learn how fast/far/hard you can push go pedal in any of the modes, you can achieve pretty much the same results. Try it!
Click to expand...

How much more would it have cost Honda to make the accelerator pedal detent work in SPORT Mode (and NORMAL, too)?
 
bfd said:
It's just a program. If you learn how fast/far/hard you can push go pedal in any of the modes, you can achieve pretty much the same results. Try it!
Click to expand...
But, regenerative paddles reset in every other mode after a few seconds. That’s the biggest reason I stay in Sport.
 
Doesn't sport mode always include some ICE in the mix regardless of how easy you go on the pedal?

I find that I get better range out of my battery, by about 8-14 miles, if I baby the accelerator; ECON mode takes the thinking out of how gentle I need to be on the pedal, which is nice if I'm going for those hyper-miles! This is opposed to just driving in Default, normal mode.
 
I just got my Clarity and was wondering if the brake lights come on during regen braking without the brake pedal depressed. I feel like the cars behind me are slow to react to my slowing down when I turn up the regen braking to max.
 
I'm not sure I like the one pedal driving - it seems to "apply the breaks" every time you even lift up slightly off the accelerator, and if you back off quickly it has a jarring effect. It's a bit unnerving.
 
Dreamgt said:
Doesn't sport mode always include some ICE in the mix regardless of how easy you go on the pedal?

I find that I get better range out of my battery, by about 8-14 miles, if I baby the accelerator; ECON mode takes the thinking out of how gentle I need to be on the pedal, which is nice if I'm going for those hyper-miles! This is opposed to just driving in Default, normal mode.
Click to expand...
No it only engages the ICE if you push the pedal too hard. With a little practice you can avoid ICE use at will
 
dstrauss said:
I'm not sure I like the one pedal driving - it seems to "apply the breaks" every time you even lift up slightly off the accelerator, and if you back off quickly it has a jarring effect. It's a bit unnerving.
Click to expand...
My first electric car test drive experience was a bmw i3, and I used to drive a stick. So I’m used to deceleration when I take my foot off the pedal. But that’s the beauty of the clarity, you customize your drive to your liking.
 
I love the sport mode with full regen on. My main complaint is that I have to set it every time I get in the car. So every time I drive it is hit "D", turn off the parking brake, turn on sport, turn on brake hold, hit regen 4 times. It would be really nice if the car just left it in that mode for the next time.

Also, I wish full regen would allow the car to come to a complete stop. I've driven with true one-pedal driving (I think it was a Leaf?), and I really liked it. With the Clarity you can almost do it, but you have to use the brakes to get all the way to a stop.
 
Carro con enchufe said:
When I first bought my Clarity I was obsessive about driving as efficiently as possible with no ICE, so I used Eco mode, except switching to Sport if I needed to merge on a highway or needed fast acceleration.

I also like one pedal regenerative driving, along with occasional swift acceleration. Now that I’m a seasoned 2k mile owner, I’ve switched to using Sport mode, all the time. Here’s why:

-I still get the same battery range as long as I don’t drive too aggressively
-I don’t have trouble with unexpected ICE operation, as long as I accelerate within the blue line area. I rarely accidentally turn on the ICE, and I’m getting better at it never turning on
-I have the full range of acceleration available, without having to search for a button in case I need speed suddenly
-I turn on regeneration and it stays on. One pedal driving is the best, especially since my previous car was a stick shift and I downshifted going downhill or to slow down a lot
As I said, if you avoid jackrabbit starts, sport mode is just as efficient as Eco.

Anyone else like Sport all the time?
Click to expand...
I agree and have the same experience- ICE never comes on because I am interested in better performance at low speeds. It much more responsive and with regenerative braking at full all the time I also don't see a significant drop in EV milage.
 
Dreamgt said:
Doesn't sport mode always include some ICE in the mix regardless of how easy you go on the pedal?
Click to expand...

Page 122 of the Owners Manual explains how you can use the POWER/CHARGE Gauge to determine when the engine will be activated:

When you depress the accelerator pedal, the white needle on the gauge moves. The
curved blue line on the gauge shows the range within which only the electric motor
provides propulsion to the wheels. The length of this line varies depending on the
drive mode and the remaining power of the High Voltage battery. When the white
needle exceeds the curved blue line, the engine starts and the curved blue line turns
white.
 
For the first time, I started in Sport Mode and kept it there. I think I like it! EV most of the time and power when you need it. Not to mention the 1 pedal driving. Thanks carro!
 
kcsunshine said:
I just got my Clarity and was wondering if the brake lights come on during regen braking without the brake pedal depressed. I feel like the cars behind me are slow to react to my slowing down when I turn up the regen braking to max.
Click to expand...

I tested this out at night time while going downhill when I can see the brake lights refected off the stop signs & street signs behind me when they turn on. When I let go of the gas pedal the brake lights DO NOT turn on at full regen. It only turns on when the brakes are pressed.
 
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