Cruise Control Outta Control?

[pcjr]

So I tried the B mode yesterday driving down the hills of San Francisco. I guess it slowed my descent, but what's the difference between the B mode and just using my brakes? Is additional energy transferred to the battery under B mode? The only benefit I can think of is less wear on my brakes but isn't the engine suffering the extra wear under B mode then? But staying in D and just using brakes allows regenerative braking to occur more than in B mode right?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon\";p=\"103734)</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pcjr\";p=\"103713)

I really don't understand what the B gear is about.
Why would someone drive in B mode?  Any benefits to the hybrid system or in driving performance?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon\";p=\"103179)

when your on a long down hill check the energy screen if the battery if all full there is no more regen. That's the time to use B mode, be advised that it'll cancel the cruise control. Once the battery is 80% charged the regen system has no where to put the output, by shifting into B mode the ICE is used as a brake
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[/b][/quote]
have a look thru these posts, it'll help you understand the time to use "B" and when not to. It's from my 2k3 but is still relavent to the HSD. The drive down the mountain will illustrate when to use B.
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[MarinJohn]

pcjr, I 'm no expert on the engineering aspect of "B" however, I doubt they had the steep one block hills of SF in mind when they decided to introduce "B" mode. For those who haven't been there, most steep hills in SF have a stop sign at each intersection. "B" really shines as an accessory where the hills go on and on. Furthermore, I am under the opinion that "B" is best at over about 20mph.

[pcjr]

So basically B mode is just engine braking without using the brakes? Just wondering if there's any advantage to using it vs. brakes.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarinJohn\";p=\"103958)</div>

pcjr, I 'm no expert on the engineering aspect of \"B\" however, I doubt they had the steep one block hills of SF in mind when they decided to introduce \"B\" mode.  For those who haven't been there, most steep hills in SF have a stop sign at each intersection.  \"B\" really shines as an accessory where the hills go on and on.  Furthermore, I am under the opinion that \"B\" is best at over about 20mph.
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[Frank Hudon]

sorry I missed posting the thread on B mode
http://priuschat.com/forums/some-interesti...ting+results%2A