b-drive at highway speed

waiting · 03-18-2006, 07:17 PM

Ok, I know I'm not the only one who's done this - accidentally leaving the car in B-drive and then proceeding to drive at highway speeds. Anyway, I drove ~15-20 miles at highway speed before realizing it, the whole time wondering why I had to work extra hard to maintain speed. Is this a problem? How much damage have I done to the car? it's a 2005, ~6000 miles.

It'd be great if there was an extra indicator that the car is in B - like if maybe the icon blinking or something. For those of us who are more absent-minded.

(Speaking of absent-minded, I've disabled the reverse-beep but would gladly re-activate it if there's a way of making it more pleasant.)

hycamguy07 · 03-18-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by waiting@Mar 18 2006, 08:17 PM
Ok, I know I'm not the only one who's done this - accidentally leaving the car in B-drive and then proceeding to drive at highway speeds. Anyway, I drove ~15-20 miles at highway speed before realizing it, the whole time wondering why I had to work extra hard to maintain speed. Is this a problem? How much damage have I done to the car? it's a 2005, ~6000 miles.

It'd be great if there was an extra indicator that the car is in B - like if maybe the icon blinking or something. For those of us who are more absent-minded.

(Speaking of absent-minded, I've disabled the reverse-beep but would gladly re-activate it if there's a way of making it more pleasant.)

[snapback]226672[/snapback]

Oh man you didnt?

Here in Fla the dealer told me not to use B unless driving down grades.
No really Im not sure what it will do to your car .. I just remember what the dealer told me so we dont use it..

Betelgeuse · 03-18-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by waiting@Mar 18 2006, 08:17 PM
Ok, I know I'm not the only one who's done this - accidentally leaving the car in B-drive and then proceeding to drive at highway speeds. Anyway, I drove ~15-20 miles at highway speed before realizing it, the whole time wondering why I had to work extra hard to maintain speed. Is this a problem? How much damage have I done to the car? it's a 2005, ~6000 miles.

It'd be great if there was an extra indicator that the car is in B - like if maybe the icon blinking or something. For those of us who are more absent-minded.

(Speaking of absent-minded, I've disabled the reverse-beep but would gladly re-activate it if there's a way of making it more pleasant.)

[snapback]226672[/snapback]

Aside from some probably particuarly bad mileage for the time you were driving in "B," you didn't hurt the car. Another one of the great advantages of the CVT.

tochatihu · 03-18-2006, 07:46 PM

No damage. Did you notice how the engine got loud whenever you lifted the accel pedal? That's how I know when I'm in B by mistake.

V8Cobrakid · 03-18-2006, 07:52 PM

all it's going to do at those speeds is act like a traditional transmission ex: give you extra drag. you're basically just telling the engine to stay on/turning at all times. there are no gear switches or anything of that sort. You did waste gas though. for that.. you go to hell.. sorry. nothing we can do now... but i here if you drive 30 miles backwards (mainly electric) the gas gods will save you.. it's not proven yet though

Frank Hudon · 03-18-2006, 08:35 PM

if you were driving at say 55 -60 mph nothing at all happened. If you don't believe me just have the car on cruise at 60MPH and put it in "B" wow no difference. Those with tach's in their cars, CAN-view's or MiniScanners know that the rpm doesn't change. Only time it makes a difference is below 42 mph and then the ICE runs instead of shutting down. Same gas mileage, no damage. If it was going to be a serious problem Toyota would have addressed it before letting the public have the car.

waiting · 03-19-2006, 12:55 PM

Thanks! I feel much better now. I have been much more wary of using the b-drive ever since. I'll consider driving backwards 30 miles, to try to redeem myself.

Quote:

Originally posted by V8Cobrakid@Mar 18 2006, 07:52 PM
all it's going to do at those speeds is act like a traditional transmission ex: give you extra drag. you're basically just telling the engine to stay on/turning at all times. there are no gear switches or anything of that sort. You did waste gas though. for that.. you go to hell.. sorry. nothing we can do now... but i here if you drive 30 miles backwards (mainly electric) the gas gods will save you.. it's not proven yet though

[snapback]226689[/snapback]

03-18-2006, 08:35 PM	#6
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	if you were driving at say 55 -60 mph nothing at all happened. If you don't believe me just have the car on cruise at 60MPH and put it in "B" wow no difference. Those with tach's in their cars, CAN-view's or MiniScanners know that the rpm doesn't change. Only time it makes a difference is below 42 mph and then the ICE runs instead of shutting down. Same gas mileage, no damage. If it was going to be a serious problem Toyota would have addressed it before letting the public have the car. __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Does Anyone Drive the Speed Limit Anymore??	spideyman	Gen II Prius Main Forum	121	06-08-2007 03:59 PM
laughing about Mercedes bragging about their C230 w/25 highway mpg and 7 speed transmission	cwerdna	Other Cars	18	05-17-2007 08:36 PM
Highway safety and speed limits	tnthub	Fred's House of Pancakes	0	07-08-2006 08:28 AM
Prius less efficient at highway speed than two-mode hybrids?	sola	Gen II Prius Technical Discussion	11	06-15-2006 10:20 PM
Nor Cal Prius owners w/>50 mpg lifetime, mostly highway commute w/little opportunity to pulse drive,	cwerdna	Gen II Prius Fuel Economy	8	06-15-2006 04:14 PM

03-18-2006, 07:17 PM	#1
waiting Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 12 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Ok, I know I'm not the only one who's done this - accidentally leaving the car in B-drive and then proceeding to drive at highway speeds. Anyway, I drove ~15-20 miles at highway speed before realizing it, the whole time wondering why I had to work extra hard to maintain speed. Is this a problem? How much damage have I done to the car? it's a 2005, ~6000 miles. It'd be great if there was an extra indicator that the car is in B - like if maybe the icon blinking or something. For those of us who are more absent-minded. (Speaking of absent-minded, I've disabled the reverse-beep but would gladly re-activate it if there's a way of making it more pleasant.)

03-18-2006, 07:46 PM	#4
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,408 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	No damage. Did you notice how the engine got loud whenever you lifted the accel pedal? That's how I know when I'm in B by mistake.

03-18-2006, 07:52 PM	#5
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	all it's going to do at those speeds is act like a traditional transmission ex: give you extra drag. you're basically just telling the engine to stay on/turning at all times. there are no gear switches or anything of that sort. You did waste gas though. for that.. you go to hell.. sorry. nothing we can do now... but i here if you drive 30 miles backwards (mainly electric) the gas gods will save you.. it's not proven yet though