Using "B" gear on shifter

PsyPrius · 09-18-2006, 10:38 PM

Hi all-

I know the B gear is helpful when going downhill to use instead of the brake. What about on flat terrain to help slow the car? Does this wear anything down faster? Are there any advantages to using it besides saving brake pads? Dies is regenreate the battery faster?

Thanks!

-S

hdrygas · 09-18-2006, 10:50 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PsyPrius @ Sep 18 2006, 07:38 PM) [snapback]321475[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi all-

I know the B gear is helpful when going downhill to use instead of the brake. What about on flat terrain to help slow the car? Does this wear anything down faster? Are there any advantages to using it besides saving brake pads? Dies is regenreate the battery faster?

Thanks!

-S
[/b]

Define flat. Define hills. Place a general idea of your location. If you want to regenerate the battery use the break peddle lightly until the battery is at near all green then switch to B. Unless you live around really big hills you will never need B. I live on the left coast near the Cascade and Rocky Mountains and have only used B 3-4 times. It takes a steep long hill. For most drivers keep it in D and use the "brakes" genitally and early. Remember this is not your normal car. Unless there is a huge down hill in front of you, you can "ride the brakes" all the way down and fill up your battery. I do this regularly when I go into downtown Olympia. It is on a tidal flats and fill. I fill the battery and cruse the downtown in stealth mode, terrorizing the pedestrians and bicyclists, by seeking up on them!! Any bit of light pressure on the breaks recharges the battery for the next one.

Rangerdavid · 09-18-2006, 10:52 PM

In short, NO! using "B" is not recommended. Indeed, it is for extended downhills, but I live in the mountains and I never ever use B. The regen brakes will not "Overcharge" the brakes, so unless you live in super mountainous terrain, you should never need to use B.

I recommend you just forget its even there. Its sort of like the "L" in your regular vehicle. You don't really need it.

Tadashi · 09-18-2006, 11:16 PM

My wife used "B" whenever she would need to use the brakes if she just needed to slow down a bit. I got her to stop and just use the brakes. Her MPG went up from 48 ish to around 54 ish. It has only been a month she has stopped using it so we will see (she had done that for a whole year and a half before I noticed).

Marlin · 09-19-2006, 08:12 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hdrygas @ Sep 18 2006, 10:50 PM) [snapback]321485[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

use the "brakes" genitally and early. [/b]

Sounds kinky.

richard schumacher · 09-19-2006, 10:18 AM

PsyPrius, it's better not to use B on the flat. Using B saves brake pads but wastes gas. Did you buy a Prius to waste gas?

Bohous · 09-19-2006, 01:03 PM

I have a similar question which might justify it's own thread but I'll just pile it on here...
What about using B in snow or icy conditions? With traditional AT cars I often use a lower gear when I want to lay off my brakes, even on a mild grade but I'm not sure if B has the same effect.

Charles Suitt · 09-19-2006, 01:12 PM

2004 Owner's Manual - pp 136-137 Likely near the same page numbers in the '05 and '06 manuals.

Whaddayouknow... The answer is in the Owner's Manual Section 2-6 Operation of Instruments and Controls.

Lots of helpful information in the Owner's Manual - even illustrations.

Soylent · 09-19-2006, 01:17 PM

Don't use "B" mode here:

Use it here:

**Tideland Prius** · 09-19-2006, 02:51 PM

Brilliantly illustrated. In fact, that first picture looks like the perfect candidate for P&G as well as taking advantage of the rolling hills. You shouldn't need the engine until you reach that last hill at the far end where that car is.

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09-18-2006, 10:38 PM	#1
PsyPrius Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wilmette, IL Posts: 99 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi all- I know the B gear is helpful when going downhill to use instead of the brake. What about on flat terrain to help slow the car? Does this wear anything down faster? Are there any advantages to using it besides saving brake pads? Dies is regenreate the battery faster? Thanks! -S

09-18-2006, 10:52 PM	#3
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,314 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 3 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 25	In short, NO! using "B" is not recommended. Indeed, it is for extended downhills, but I live in the mountains and I never ever use B. The regen brakes will not "Overcharge" the brakes, so unless you live in super mountainous terrain, you should never need to use B. I recommend you just forget its even there. Its sort of like the "L" in your regular vehicle. You don't really need it.

09-18-2006, 11:16 PM	#4
Tadashi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fort Hood, TX Posts: 796 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	My wife used "B" whenever she would need to use the brakes if she just needed to slow down a bit. I got her to stop and just use the brakes. Her MPG went up from 48 ish to around 54 ish. It has only been a month she has stopped using it so we will see (she had done that for a whole year and a half before I noticed).

09-19-2006, 10:18 AM	#6
richard schumacher shortbus driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 7,379 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 583 Thanked 758 Times in 306 Posts Friends: 0	PsyPrius, it's better not to use B on the flat. Using B saves brake pads but wastes gas. Did you buy a Prius to waste gas?

09-19-2006, 01:03 PM	#7
Bohous Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boston-ish Posts: 317 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I have a similar question which might justify it's own thread but I'll just pile it on here... What about using B in snow or icy conditions? With traditional AT cars I often use a lower gear when I want to lay off my brakes, even on a mild grade but I'm not sure if B has the same effect.

09-19-2006, 01:12 PM	#8
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,640 My Car: 2012 Prius Model: Four Package: Navigation Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	2004 Owner's Manual - pp 136-137 Likely near the same page numbers in the '05 and '06 manuals. Whaddayouknow... The answer is in the Owner's Manual Section 2-6 Operation of Instruments and Controls. Lots of helpful information in the Owner's Manual - even illustrations.

09-19-2006, 01:17 PM	#9
Soylent Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Miami Beach, Florida Posts: 346 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #3 Thanks: 19 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Don't use "B" mode here: Use it here:

09-19-2006, 02:51 PM	#10
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 26,978 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 1,043 Thanked 1,177 Times in 850 Posts Friends: 31	Brilliantly illustrated. In fact, that first picture looks like the perfect candidate for P&G as well as taking advantage of the rolling hills. You shouldn't need the engine until you reach that last hill at the far end where that car is.