Category: Articles & Commentaries

Discussions on topics of interest to drivers concerning things they may not understand about their vehicles as well as articles on the future of the auto industry.

How much energy does regenerative braking recover?

Regenerative braking So just how much energy does regenerative braking recover? Well, there’s quite a bit of information floating around about the topic out there, and most of it is highly subjective. That said, the best answer is “up to 20%” of an electric vehicle’s (EV) range. So, as a best case scenario, an EV …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/06/how-much-energy-does-regenerative-braking-recover/

Regenerative braking returns to brake rotor issues

Regenerative braking I decided I wanted to answer some common questions about regenerative braking and did some Google searches. AI gave the first response (a technology, by the way, that really hurts my business), and turned up some surprises. The largest of these is yet another reference to problems with the regular, or friction, brakes. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/06/regenerative-braking-returns-to-brake-rotor-issues/

So I got regenerative braking wrong

Regenerative braking I recall listening to the owner of the last car dealer I worked for explaining regenerative braking in electric and hybrid vehicles beautifully wrong. And I was sure I knew better. Well, his explanation, which included the brakes themselves, is still wrong. But I’ve had it wrong too! I was sure that I’d …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/06/so-i-got-regenerative-braking-wrong/

Complaint filed with NHTSA

Pitted rotor

NHTSA A few days ago, I alluded to attempting to work with Kia on what I believe should be a warranty issue. I was rebuffed by both a local dealer and the company itself. So today a detailed complaint was filed NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. I will give you a detailed account …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/05/complaint-filed-with-nhtsa/

Kia HV battery care tips include charging to 100%!

HV Battery care tips

HV Battery care tips The Kia Access app was finally made available about a week ago for the Kia Niro, and I completed the connection to the vehicle a few days later. However, a big surprise in the app were some HV battery care tips that include charging to 100% at least once a month! …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/05/kia-hv-battery-care-tips-include-charging-to-100/

Why can’t manufacturers get owner’s manuals right?

Owner’s manuals We’ve begun an update of back-up entry and start processes for 2023 through 2025 Maserati models and find that their on-line owner’s manuals truly wanting. We struggle to understand why so many companies struggle with getting these right. None of Maserati‘s manuals are available in pdf format, so everything remains online. Of the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/05/why-cant-manufacturers-get-owners-manuals-right/

Has Skoda solved my issue with the charge system warning light?

Charge system warning Just a few months ago, I ran a piece that was essentially a complaint about the industry’s use of the charge system warning light. While it is made to look like a battery, the light “fails” to warn of a fault in the battery itself. In the piece, I recounted three instances …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/05/has-skoda-solved-my-issue-with-the-charge-system-warning-light/