OWNER ANSWER
BYD DOLPHIN regenerative braking feels different
A change in DOLPHIN lift-off slowing can come from the charge level, battery temperature or recovery setting. Check those conditions while parked and use the brake pedal whenever you need more slowing.
- Check the selected drive mode while parked. Safety note: Lift-off recovery is not a dependable substitute for the brake pedal. If stopping performance or pedal feel changes, stop safely and obtain assistance; avoid comparison tests in traffic or poor grip.
- Open Settings → Energy → Energy Manager → Regenerative Braking and check the selected recovery level. A higher setting requests more recovery during coasting and braking; change it while stationary.
- Compare the battery percentage with the previous journey. This model’s handbook explicitly says recovery can weaken at high charge. Note cold or hot conditions too, because battery power capability changes with temperature.
- Use the brake pedal for the slowing you need.
What to expect
You can distinguish a changed recovery setting or battery condition from a change in normal braking. The brake pedal must still provide normal controlled stopping; unexplained loss of braking or an abnormal pedal needs assistance.
If the setting is unchanged but lift-off slowing is weaker just after a high charge, that is consistent with the handbook’s limitation. It does not prove every change is normal; normal brake-pedal response remains the key distinction.
If that did not work
If the change persists without an obvious settings or operating-condition explanation, ask a BYD repairer to check it. A brake/stability warning, changed pedal travel or response, pulling, grinding, vibration or reduced stopping performance calls for assistance rather than another recovery-setting comparison.
What to note down if you need support: exact warning, battery level, conditions, software version and the model/generation or trim.
For a persistent lift-off difference with normal pedal braking, give BYD the selected recovery level and whether it happens only near full charge or also during ordinary lower-charge use. Do not deliberately drain the battery or perform hard-braking trials to obtain that comparison.
What the result tells you
Available regeneration can change with battery charge and temperature. A nearly full battery may accept less recovered energy. Road grip, drive mode and recovery selection also affect lift-off slowing.
Related links
Source: BYD source (BYD UK) · DOLPHIN handbook (BYD UK) — DOLPHIN RHD 7.2025 EN_V2, separate from SURF. Checked 22 October 2026.
Sources for these checks, reviewed 13 November 2026: Official handbook, PDF page 92 (BYD UK) · Official handbook, PDF page 93 (BYD UK) · Official handbook, PDF page 111 (BYD UK).