Conserve mode effects on safety/handling?

[jeeden]

Honestly I was surprised this thread popped up with the comment from so long ago. I have to say that in the years since I really haven't used conserve even on road trips. I think I used it a couple of times in 2023 when we first got the Rivian, had some rainge anxiety, and maybe were running close on range to chargers. Since then there are so many chargers everywhere now and we are so used to the Rivian I don't even remember it is an option sometimes. If I was in a position where range was close I would just slow down a little instead of using conserve mode I think.

These days the family is picking chargers based on how close to the highway it is (looking at you new Applegreen charges on turnpike rest stops in PA and New Jersey) and what food and bathroom options there are...

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[Reidski29]

Yea my only reason for using the conserve mode was the fact that up in the UP (upper peninsula) of Michigan chargers are nearly 200 miles apart and with the below freezing temps it was cutting it close! I am all for more chargers

 

[Mathme]

I just completed a round trip from the SF Bay Area to the Seattle and didn't use Conserve. The two times I turned it on right after a charge stop, the Nav showed LESS battery % & mileage at my next charge stop than using AP. I have a Gen 1 Quad with the OEM GY 20" ATs.

With my truck the advertised difference using Conserve on a 100% charge is 30 miles. When you "math it out" on an 80-20% charge (using 60% of the battery), you're only gaining about 18 miles of range (30 * .6). For me, that's not worth the hassle unless I'm really needing to squeak into the next charge stop.

 

[ElGuano]

The differences I've noticed:

1. Conserve is effectively front wheel drive. Not sure how important that will be for emergency maneuvering.

2. The accelerator pedal is mapped very conservatively in conserve. You'll need to push it way deeper to get any oomph.

3. The total power available is reduced in conserve mode.

4. Regen braking is "variable" in conserve. In most cases you only have front wheel motor regen. But in those instances where it's running in AWD (on Gen2), you'll have 4-wheel regen during those times. I actually dislike that you never really know how your regen will behave...

IMO none of this really matters too much in emergencies, except maybe #2.

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