Regenerative Braking Calibration

This procedure calibrates the regenerative braking system on the 2022 Rivian EDV 500 to ensure proper energy recovery and brake feel through diagnostic software adjustments.

Warnings

Tools required

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks at front and rear of all four wheels
3. Connect 12V battery support/maintainer to ensure stable voltage during calibration
4. Verify high voltage battery state of charge is between 40-80% for accurate calibration
5. Ensure all doors are closed and HVAC system is turned off to minimize electrical load
6. Connect diagnostic laptop with TechLink software to OBD-II port
7. Verify brake fluid level is within specification before beginning procedure

Procedure

1. 1

   Initialize Diagnostic Communication
   Launch Rivian TechLink software and establish communication with the vehicle. Select the appropriate vehicle identification and verify all control modules are communicating. Check for any existing DTCs related to brake systems, motor control, or battery management and document them.
2. 2

   Perform Pre-Calibration System Check
   Navigate to the Brake System diagnostic menu. Run a system health check to verify all wheel speed sensors, brake pressure sensors, motor position sensors, and torque sensors are functioning correctly. Ensure no active faults exist that would prevent calibration. Review current regenerative braking parameters and document baseline settings.
3. 3

   Check Brake Fluid Condition and Pressure
   Using the diagnostic software, monitor brake system pressure sensor readings. Verify hydraulic brake system pressure is stable and within normal range (typically 0-50 psi at rest). Check for any brake fluid leaks at master cylinder, ABS module, and brake calipers. Top off brake fluid if needed with DOT 4 specification fluid.
4. 4

   Activate Calibration Mode
   In TechLink software, navigate to Service Functions > Regenerative Braking > Calibration. Select 'Start New Calibration' and follow the on-screen prompts. The system will put the vehicle into calibration mode, which disables normal driving functions. Confirm vehicle is in Park and ready for calibration when prompted.
5. 5

   Calibrate Front Motor Regenerative Torque
   Follow software prompts to calibrate front motor regenerative braking characteristics. The system will command the front motor through a series of low-speed regeneration cycles while monitoring actual versus commanded torque. This process maps motor behavior across the full range of regenerative braking intensities. Do not interrupt this process, which typically takes 5-8 minutes.
6. 6

   Calibrate Rear Motor Regenerative Torque
   Repeat calibration process for the rear motor. The software will command rear motor through identical regeneration test cycles. The system learns motor-specific characteristics including resistance, temperature effects, and response time. Monitor progress bar and wait for completion confirmation before proceeding.
7. 7

   Calibrate Blended Braking Transition Points
   The software will now calibrate the transition between regenerative and friction braking. This critical step ensures seamless brake feel as the system switches between regen and hydraulic brakes. The vehicle control modules will learn optimal blend points based on motor characteristics, battery acceptance rate, and brake pedal position sensor data.
8. 8

   Perform Brake Pedal Feel Calibration
   When prompted by software, apply brake pedal pressure smoothly from light to moderate (do not apply full pressure). The system will correlate pedal position, pedal force, and regenerative torque response. Perform 3-5 brake applications as directed by the software, maintaining steady pressure for 2-3 seconds each time.
9. 9

   Calibrate Maximum Regenerative Braking Rate
   Software will test maximum regenerative capacity based on current battery temperature and state of charge. This establishes the upper limit of regenerative braking power the battery can safely accept. The system automatically adjusts this value based on battery conditions during normal operation.
10. 10

    Verify and Store Calibration Data
    Review calibration results displayed in TechLink software. Verify all parameters are within acceptable ranges (software will flag any out-of-range values). If all values are acceptable, select 'Accept and Store Calibration' to write new parameters to the motor control modules and brake control module. Wait for confirmation that data has been successfully stored.
11. 11

    Clear Calibration Mode and Reset Modules
    Exit calibration mode in the software. The system will reset all affected control modules and return the vehicle to normal operating mode. This process takes approximately 30-60 seconds. Verify all modules return to ready state with no new fault codes.
12. 12

    Perform Post-Calibration Verification
    With vehicle still stationary, use diagnostic software to command a low-level regenerative braking test. Monitor real-time data to confirm both motors respond correctly to regen commands and brake pressure sensors show appropriate readings. Check that no new DTCs have been generated during calibration process.

Reassembly

1. No disassembly required for this procedure

Verification

• Disconnect diagnostic equipment and battery maintainer
• Remove wheel chocks and ensure parking brake releases normally
• Start vehicle and verify no warning lights or messages appear on driver display
• Perform a controlled test drive in a safe area, testing regenerative braking at various speeds and pedal pressures
• Verify smooth transition between regenerative and friction braking with no jerking or inconsistent brake feel
• Confirm regenerative braking indicator displays correctly on instrument cluster during deceleration
• Test one-pedal driving mode (if equipped) to ensure proper regenerative response when accelerator is released
• Monitor battery state of charge to verify energy is being recovered during braking events
• Perform final scan with diagnostic tool to confirm no DTCs are present after test drive

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