BMW Forum - BimmerFest BMW Forums banner

Brake energy regeneration

2 reading
33K views 33 replies 20 participants last post by  Kawabata  
#1 ·
Hello from Greece.
As BMW says all F01 models are equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration system.This system has an extra blue coloured indicator in the rpm meter of the instrument panel.
Although my cars' specs describe this option (code 1CD),there is no indicator into the instrument panel.
Is this possible to make it shown in my car?

Image
 
#2 ·
I believe your car does not have it for some odd reason. Both of my cars have the blue band that shows this feature and it is not selectable, or can not be turned on or off (to my knowledge). Is yours an early model that might not have had the feature?
 
#3 ·
It's a 2008 model but for sure it has this equipment.It's described in the equipment sheet that comes with my car.If someone types my VIN in a BMW dealer he will have all my cars options inclunding "1CD" (brake energy regeneration).
I will contact the dealer soon...and I'll find out what's happening here...
Thanks for your answer!
 
#4 ·
The first batch of very early F01 models in the USA did NOT have the Energy Regeneration feature. It's great though, and really, really helps keep front wheels much cleaner (greatly reduced brake dust).
 
#5 ·
Brake energy regeneration is a misnomer. All it means is when your car is braked a clutch runs the alternator. The brake don't regenerate anything! So if you think the brakes are generating electricity and helping you stop and using less brakes and thus less brake dust. Dream on!
 
#8 ·
well if there is a clutch driving the alternator then the deceleration energy is being sucked up by the alternator and you don't have to apply as much brake pressure. Makes sense that there is less dust generated.
 
#9 ·
#10 ·
reading that description makes me agree that it is not true brake regeneration. However the alternator clutch engages when you are braking, so it is decelerating the rpms of the engine thru parasitic drag that does not exist when the car is accelerating. By that definition every single conventional car uses the alternator to enhance braking! What it really should be described as is acceleration enhancement where the clutch for the alternator disengages upon acceleration - in most cars the A/C clutch already disengages for acceleration to reduce drag
 
#11 · (Edited)
Right - so I'd expect more brake dust. The car is heavier, there is less retardation, and there is more power when accelerating, giving you a higher speed before braking.

BMW may have updated their brake compounds in recent years. I'm noticing less brake dust on my M3 as well than I would expect. I may be just driving less, or there's less traffic after I moved?
 
#12 · (Edited)
Take a look here.
It says clearly that "BMW brake energy regeneration" means that battery is NOT CHARGING when you accelerate!!!It is charging "when your BMW is braking, coasting or decelerating".This feature saves fuel because the altenator is not in operation during acceleration!!!
It hasn't anything to do with the brake pads and the produced dust of course!

In other "normal" cars the altenator charges the battery when coasting,braking,decelerating PLUS accelerating.This is the difference...
 
#13 ·
Well, seriously...like I said 8 NEW BMWS since 2004, and the 2010 750i was the first BMW or German car that did not make much brake dust. Just like my 2 Lexus Hybrid RXs...almost no brake dust. There must be something with this Brake Regeneration feature, that all us NON BMW engineers do not know.

Honestly after a week of dreadful Los Angeles traffic, there is hardly even a coating of brake dust on the F01. With our M6, Range Rover, G55....one 5 mile trip to the grocery store, and without kidding...you could clean the wheels with a rag and simple green. Not so with the 750i!!!
 
#14 ·
I agree with Deutsch100, brake dust is no longer a issue. I will add that the brake pedal does seem a little strange ( like the car will not coast to a stop like a normal car) and the pedal is very sensitive at low speeds. Not the best feel...but no dust.
 
#17 ·
How do you know whether the brake energy regeneration function is working or not if there is no an extra blue coloured indicator in the engine rpm meter?

I know 2011 BMW 535i has this indicator on under the engine rpm meter, but 2011 X5 has not. When you release the gas pad or apply brake, the point goes to blue section.

Can this function be active/inactive or setup by BMW dealer?
 
#18 ·
mine is a Sept/October 2008 production and its Does Not Have the Efficient Dynamics Blue Band, this i believe started in late 2009 model's clusters.

but it does have Brake energy regeneration, it just doesnt have the display in the cluster. no biggeeee for me
 
#19 ·
On my 2011 car you can turn this indicator on and off, it is not that clear what the setting in the iDrive actually does...

1. "Settings"
2. "Info display"
3. "Additional indicators"

Energy recovery - The energy of motion of the vehicle is converted to electrical energy while coasting. The vehicle battery is partially charged and fuel consumption can be lowered.
 
#21 ·
Here is why it's greener.
1) Less alternator load on the engine when driving.
2) Alternator charges when trying to slow the vehicle. Uses the car's momentum to charge the battery

What would have been energy converted to heat (waste) becomes energy converted to battery charging. Also because the alternator is converting the momentum energy of the car, you need less brakes so less dust. My service advisor who also races BMWs claims the pad compound is the same as the E65/E66 so the difference must be the regenerative braking.

If you have not owned a BMW before you can't appreciate the difference in dust. The other poster who said a 5 mile drive would make the wheels dirty was right. Now not at all...joe
 
#23 ·
i have an early production 740Li, i dont have the blue brake energy display on my cluster as well, my car has just been updated with the latest software including videos for idrive owner's manual. so the blue brake energy display cannot be programmed for the cluster.
 
#33 ·
So.. waking up an old thread here.

Dads x3 has this BMW BER. And yeah it does work and ain't a gimmick :)

Especially on eco pro mode.
You can feel the transmission disengage , rpm drops to idle..so it's coasting.. like as if you are neutral.
And when braking, you do feel..well I feel a very very slight shudder or vibration. I'm assuming the alternator is engaged "harder" ? So generating more electricity vs when idling... which I assume then the battery is charging at a higher amp?

I was just curious as to if it was a variable amp thing...wanted to know more on the technical side lol
 
#34 ·
Interesting to read the old posts, especially in regards to brake dust. There will less brake dust regardless of the regeneration method. If there was a regenerative motor system attached to the wheels, there would be less brake dust, if the car is simply keeping the driveline engaged during deceleration to use engine braking, this would also mean less brake dust.