Regenerative brakes versus friction (regular) brakes

[madrigal]

If Atkinson cycle means nothing to you (as it did for me) at http://www.keveney.com/Atkinson.html there is a simple illustration of the device. Or try Wilkipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_Cycle)

[richard schumacher]

If Atkinson cycle means nothing to you (as it did for me) at http://www.keveney.com/Atkinson.html there is a simple illustration of the device. Or try Wilkipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_Cycle)

More to the point is whether Toyota understands the Atkinson cycle. I'll bet that they do (but arguably it would be more accurate to call it a Miller cycle engine, since it uses variable valve timing and does not use a variable-length stroke). Anyway, the Toyota site is useful:

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environmen...hs2/engine.html

Graham's site has additional discussion:

http://home.earthlink.net/~graham1/MyToyot...lCombustion.htm


The Prius' owner's manual states explicitly that octane greater than 87 is acceptable. If it were harmful, don'tcha think that the owner's manual would say so?

If someone can provide a technical reference saying otherwise (preferably one with some specific explanation of *why* higher octane gas would be harmful to *this engine*, not just a passing general mention of detonation and burnt valves), I'd love to read it.