Regenerative Braking Calibration

This procedure calibrates the regenerative braking system on the 2023 Rivian EDV 500 to ensure optimal energy recovery and consistent brake pedal feel through diagnostic software configuration.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Brake pedal position sensor — Use OEM specification
• Motor controller firmware update file — Latest version from Rivian service portal

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks at all four wheels
3. Verify high voltage system is in ready state (not in service mode)
4. Ensure 12V auxiliary battery voltage is above 12.4V
5. Connect battery maintainer to 12V auxiliary battery if available
6. Verify tire pressures are at specification (affects load calculations)
7. Ensure vehicle has at least 40% state of charge in high voltage battery
8. Close all doors, hood, and cargo areas to prevent interruption
9. Download latest calibration files from Rivian service portal if required

Procedure

1. 1

   Connect diagnostic equipment
   Locate the OBD-II diagnostic port beneath the driver side dashboard. Connect the Rivian-specific OBD-II to Ethernet adapter firmly into the port. Connect the diagnostic laptop to the adapter and launch the Rivian Service Software. Wait for the vehicle to establish communication with all control modules, which may take 30-60 seconds.
2. 2

   Perform system health check
   Navigate to the Vehicle Health Check menu in the diagnostic software. Run a complete system scan focusing on the brake system, motor controllers, and battery management system. Document any existing fault codes. Clear any soft faults related to regenerative braking, but do not clear hard faults without addressing their root cause first.
3. 3

   Verify brake fluid level and condition
   Check the brake fluid reservoir level through the software monitoring or physical inspection under the hood. Brake fluid level must be between MIN and MAX marks. Check fluid condition - it should be clear amber, not dark or contaminated. Low or degraded fluid will affect hydraulic brake blending during regenerative braking.
4. 4

   Initialize regenerative braking calibration
   In the Rivian Service Software, navigate to Calibrations > Regenerative Braking System > Initialize Calibration. Enter the vehicle VIN when prompted to load the correct calibration parameters. Select 'EDV 500 Dual Motor AWD' configuration. The software will perform a preliminary check of all regenerative braking components including pedal sensors, motor controllers, and brake pressure sensors.
5. 5

   Calibrate brake pedal position sensors
   Follow the on-screen prompts to calibrate the brake pedal position sensors. Ensure no one is in the vehicle and the brake pedal is fully released. Click 'Calibrate Released Position' and wait for confirmation. Then press the brake pedal fully to the floor and click 'Calibrate Applied Position'. Hold for 3 seconds until confirmation. The software will verify the full range of pedal travel is detected.
6. 6

   Configure regenerative braking parameters
   Set the regenerative braking aggressiveness levels according to EDV 500 specifications. Standard setting is 70% maximum regenerative force with 30% hydraulic blending at full pedal application. Verify the front-to-rear motor regeneration distribution is set to 45% front / 55% rear to match the dual motor AWD configuration. Confirm battery charge acceptance rate limits are properly configured.
7. 7

   Calibrate motor controller regeneration limits
   Navigate to Motor Controller Configuration in the diagnostic software. Select both front and rear motor controllers. Run the regeneration limit calibration which will test maximum regenerative torque at various speeds and battery states of charge. This process takes approximately 5 minutes and will display progress on screen. Do not interrupt this process.
8. 8

   Perform brake blending calibration
   Access the Brake Blending Calibration menu. This calibrates the transition between regenerative and hydraulic braking. The system will cycle the hydraulic brake pressure modulators through their full range while monitoring pressure sensors. You will hear clicking and pump noises from the brake system - this is normal. The calibration ensures smooth transitions between regenerative and friction braking.
9. 9

   Execute dynamic calibration routine
   Prepare the vehicle for a controlled test drive. Remove wheel chocks but remain on level surface. With the diagnostic laptop still connected (if using wireless adapter), or prepare to reconnect after test drive, follow the on-screen instructions for the dynamic calibration. This typically requires accelerating to 30 mph and performing controlled braking events while the system learns pedal feel and regeneration characteristics. Perform 5 complete braking events from 30 mph to complete stop as directed by software.
10. 10

    Verify calibration data
    Return vehicle to secure location and reconnect diagnostic equipment if disconnected. Navigate to Calibration Verification menu. Review all calibration values to ensure they fall within acceptable ranges displayed in green. Check that brake pedal position, motor regeneration torque curves, and brake pressure blending maps all show 'PASSED' status. Export calibration report for service records.
11. 11

    Clear adaptive learning data
    Select the option to clear previous adaptive learning data so the system can relearn driver behavior with the new calibration. This ensures the calibration starts from a known baseline. Confirm the reset when prompted.
12. 12

    Finalize and write calibration to ECUs
    Click 'Write Calibration to Vehicle' to permanently save the new regenerative braking calibration to all relevant control modules. This process takes 2-3 minutes. Do not disconnect power or diagnostic equipment during this process. Wait for confirmation that all modules have been successfully updated. The vehicle may automatically cycle the ignition during this process.

Reassembly

1. Disconnect diagnostic equipment from OBD-II port
2. Remove battery maintainer if installed
3. Remove wheel chocks from all four wheels
4. Verify all vehicle systems return to normal operation
5. Close diagnostic software and save service report

Verification

• Perform a test drive starting with low-speed braking to verify smooth regenerative braking engagement
• Test regenerative braking at various speeds (20 mph, 40 mph, 60 mph) to ensure consistent pedal feel
• Verify no pulsing or jerking sensation during light to moderate braking
• Check that battery state of charge increases during regenerative braking events
• Confirm no regenerative braking fault codes are present after test drive
• Verify hydraulic brakes engage smoothly during heavy braking without delay or abrupt transitions
• Test that regenerative braking reduces appropriately when battery reaches high state of charge (above 95%)
• Confirm brake pedal feel is consistent and predictable across all driving conditions

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