Have you ever faced the issue that you are in the middle of the road and your electric vehicle suddenly stops with the warning showing Limp Home Mode? If yes, this article is for you.
In this article, we will talk about what is Limp Home Mode in electric vehicles, what causes vehicles to go into the limp home mode, and how to get out of limp home mode.
What Is Limp Home Mode In Electric Vehicles?
Modern electric vehicles are designed to survive adverse conditions. Unlike older electric vehicles that do not even come with overcharge protections, modern EVs use a plethora of technologies to protect the battery and the motors.
Limp Home Mode is one such safety mechanism that is designed to protect your electric vehicle when there is something wrong. This technology is available for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
Though this technology causes inconvenience to the driver and others on the road, it also causes panic as there is a chance that someone might hit you from the back when your vehicle goes into limp home mode all of a sudden on the road.
When the limp home mode is activated, the motor loses power (sometimes the motor cuts off the power ), most of the important operations are disabled, throttle responses are reduced, speed gets restricted, and you just get enough power to limp close to a safe location.
What Causes Limp Home Mode?
There could be hundreds of reasons why a vehicle goes into the limp home mode. It could be a battery issue, a throttle issue, a sensor issue, or any issue with the vehicle that is outside the operating parameters of the vehicle.
However, the most common issue that causes the limp home mode is the lack of power to maintain the torque. For example, when you are trying to climb a slope in the economy mode, the vehicle may not have enough power to climb. In that case, the vehicle goes into the limp home mode.
The other common reason is the issue with the throttle. When the throttle response is not proper, the battery management system gets confused and causes the limp home mode.
Other reasons like battery issues, and sensor issues are rare but can cause occasional limp home mode.
Followings are the key reason why electric vehicle goes into limp home mode
- Improper throttle input ( Sudden acceleration or deacceleration)
- Driving in the wrong mode like driving on a slope in eco mode
- Sensor issue
- High battery temperature
- Dust on battery terminals
- Moisture on battery terminals
- Faulty braking system
- Electric failure
- Motor malfunction
Impact Of Limp Home Mode?
The main purpose of the limp home mode is to protect the vehicle. But in road conditions like in India, it causes more danger to the driver.
Think of a scenario when your vehicle goes into limp home mode suddenly in the middle of the road, you may be hit by the vehicle at the back. Your vehicle may get rammed badly and may cause serious injury to you.
Companies are aware of this issue and constantly working to reduce the impact of limp homes. With new updates and technologies companies are ensuring that your vehicle does not stop suddenly when it enters limp home mode.
Here is what may happen when your vehicle goes into limp-home mode.
- Reduced power or no power
- Reduced speed
- A sudden drop in performance
- Warning lights and message
- Increased battery consumption
- Key functions are disabled
- Braking may or may not work
What To Do When Vehicle Goes Into The Limp Home Mode
In most cases, if the issue is minor, vehicle restart will help your vehicle to go out of limp mode and you can continue driving. But it may be just a temporary fix. You need to see a technician if the issue is occurring frequently.
Here is what you can do.
Diagnose The Issue
You need to see a technician or connect an OBD sensor to know the error code. With that error code, you can visit a service center and find out details of the error. If the issue is major, you may need to drop the vehicle for repair. Otherwise, a technician may fix the issue and give you the vehicle right away.
Inspect Throttle
In most cases, throttle is the culprit. Do a thorough inspection of the throttle and replace it if that has gone bad. Sometimes when you drive a two-wheeler in the rain, the throttle may give issues. Try to dry it as soon as possible.
Inspect Wiring And Connectors
Inspect for any loose connection or rat bites that may cause the electric system to malfunction. Check for any moisture on the connectors. Try to use sleeves if you see live wires dangling around.
Inspect Damage To Batteries And Battery Terminals
Although batteries are protected from minor impacts, you don’t know what might have gone wrong with them. So if you see visible damage, replace it as soon as possible. Check battery terminals for any dust or moisture.
Inspect Mechanical Parts
Mechanical parts like brakes, suspension, and other similar parts may also trigger limp home mode. Even the low brake fluid level also causes this issue. Check for all those things periodically so that you don’t face limp home mode.
Consequences Of Limp Home Mode If Not Addressed
Limp Home Mode is just a warning to let you know that something is wrong with the vehicle. But if the limp home mode is occurring frequently, then it is a matter of concern, and you need to fix it immediately.
If not, your vehicle’s key component may get damaged permanently, cause a serious threat to your life, and other serious consequences.
Your insurance may not honor your claims if your vehicle gets damaged since you do not take any action after repeated limp home mode warnings. So, it’s better to get things fixed than wait for the disaster.
Final Words: Limp Home Mode In Electric Vehicles
Limp Home Mode is a safety mechanism to protect your vehicle but at the same time, it is a warning to fix any issue that your vehicle might be facing.
It also creates a safety hazard for you and others on the road. If not addressed on time, it may cause permanent damage to your vehicle and could be life-threatening at times.
