Flaw or feature? Changing gears without putting your foot on the brake?

[Ngkgb]

Anyone notice you can change gears without putting your foot on the brake? Was this by design?

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[DuoRivians]

Being able to go from reverse to drive at very low speeds has always been a feature

 

[Ngkgb]

Being able to go from reverse to drive at very low speeds has always been a feature

Saves my foot some trouble

 

[sub]

Anyone notice you can change gears without putting your foot on the brake? Was this by design?

EV's don't use different gears for forward and reverse. From a gearing perspective, switching from forward to reverse is exactly the same as switching from acceleration to regenerative braking. Same gears, the motor just applies torque in the opposite direction.

A gas engine that always rotates in the same direction needs the transmission to swap out gears in order to reverse the output. When you swap the gears, you want both sets traveling the same speed, 0MPH in this case so it's helpful that the car requires you have your foot on the brake. But that just doesn't apply to EV's. There's no mechanical reason why you couldn't switch to reverse traveling 90 mph.

You don't have a gear selector. Just like you don't have a gas pedal.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

EV's don't use different gears for forward and reverse. From a gearing perspective, switching from forward to reverse is exactly the same as switching from acceleration to regenerative braking. Same gears, the motor just applies torque in the opposite direction.

A gas engine that always rotates in the same direction needs the transmission to swap out gears in order to reverse the output. When you swap the gears, you want both sets traveling the same speed, 0MPH in this case so it's helpful that the car requires you have your foot on the brake. But that just doesn't apply to EV's. There's no mechanical reason why you couldn't switch to reverse traveling 90 mph.

You don't have a gear selector. Just like you don't have a gas pedal.

I wondered if it was going to cause damage. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[CrazyOne]

Since there is no creep and it has brake hold, there is no need to press the brake. Part of one pedal driving, I guess.

It's usually a safety issue, when the vehicle can creep because of gear change in ICE vehicles.

 

[jimmyb2]

There's no mechanical reason why you couldn't switch to reverse traveling 90 mph.

There may not be any “mechanical” reason, but I am guessing that it would not reverse motor rotation if you tried to shift at that speed. I am certain Rivian has that locked out above some relatively slow speed because trying to reverse motor rotation at high speed would generate immense stress on the motor thus damaging it or severely shortening it’s life.

You could always try reversing at different speeds to find out.

 

[txtravwill]

Its kinda nice, feature for sure. Nothing mechanical as in a transmission to clunk/damage like ICE trucks.

 

[sub]

There may not be any “mechanical” reason, but I am guessing that it would not reverse motor rotation if you tried to shift at that speed. I am certain Rivian has that locked out above some relatively slow speed because trying to reverse motor rotation at high speed would generate immense stress on the motor thus damaging it or severely shortening it’s life.

You could always try reversing at different speeds to find out.

Forward/Reverse buttons are repurposed for cruise control when you are driving, so there isn't actually a reverse button to press. And it would be really bad if it did let you change to reverse at high speed.

Not for mechanical reasons, but just because it would be unintentional most of the time and our pathetic human brains couldn't adjust to an unexpected pedal reversal quick enough. It would make the accelerator pedal act like a brake pedal. Flooring it would feel like slamming on the brakes and releasing the pedal would let the vehicle coast. If you did that on accident, you would probably end up in an accident.

 

[jb0063]

Since there is no creep and it has brake hold, there is no need to press the brake. Part of one pedal driving, I guess.

It's usually a safety issue, when the vehicle can creep because of gear change in ICE vehicles.

I've actually begun to notice some slight rollback when coming to a stop on even a slight incline. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[R1Thor]

I've actually begun to notice some slight rollback when coming to a stop on even a slight incline. Has anyone else experienced this?

Since the latest update, yes. It's hit or miss, though (doesn't always occur)

 

[CrazyOne]

I've actually begun to notice some slight rollback when coming to a stop on even a slight incline. Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes, likely a software update. One day, I will stop all updates .

 

[HaveBlue]

On another note, how fast does the Rivian go in reverse?

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