Tag: hybrid

Regenerative Braking

These are the Recuperative or Regenerative Brake System (RBS) Indicator symbols. If this symbol is illuminated on your instrument panel, the RBS is malfunctioning. This type of system is found in Hybrid and electric vehicles and uses the function of slowing down to generate electricity for the main high voltage battery.

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The two additional version to the left are Regenerative Braking Icon Indicator symbols. they appear as a household battery with arrows circling it or circling inside it. The word ‘Regen’ appears below in one. A horizontal charge bar may appear as well. The symbol remains in gray scale until it is active, when the battery and arrows appear green.

These icons will also appear in gray scale when regenerative power is limited because the high voltage battery is near full charge or is cold.

These also appear as household batteries, but as Max Regeneration indicators, they are meant to indicate that maximum regeneration capability has been engaged and operating. They will be accompanied by the following instrument cluster messages: Max Regeneration On when the feature is turned on, Max Regeneration Off when the feature is turned off, and Max Regeneration Unavailable when the feature is requested, disabled.

The indicator light will flash for five seconds. It appears in green on the instrument panel and in white in the message center.

These indicators come from another manufacturer, Kia, which uses arrows and the colors blue and white.  The number of arrows, 1, 2 or 3, indicates how much regeneration has been set: 1 is lowest, and we’ve chosen to show 3. In white, regeneration is not taking place. In blue, regeneration is occurring. The arrows appear in what looks like a battery box.

This is a Regeneration Boost Indicator symbol. It is seen when the driver chooses to increase the regeneration braking force. The result is that the vehicle will slow more quickly when the accelerator pedal is released. It appears as a foot on a pedal with an up and down arrow.

Similarly, Honda Motors Corp. offers the option the increase or decrease the rate of regeneration using a paddle on the steering wheel stalk. The result is the symbol to the left, a Deceleration Paddle Selector Indicator. Using the deceleration paddle selector, the driver can you sequentially shift through six stages of deceleration. The more larger V shapes are seen, the more deceleration is chosen. The M indicates that the choice has been locked in, suggesting the letter should be an L!

In the vast majority of electric and hybrid vehicles, the actual brake system is not involved. However, recuperative braking slows the vehicle and a malfunction of the system will require more use the vehicle’s brakes to come to a stop.

In vehicles where the brake system is involved,  braking performance may be affected and pedal travel may be lengthened. Any loss of brake performance presents an accident risk. Have your dealer or qualified repair shop address this as soon as possible.

Related Symbols

The symbols to the right are also used as Regenerative Brake System Indicators. Click here to learn more.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Marc Favreau

The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY