"B" shifting disables the cruise control?

[Prius77094]

Hi, This my first post. I purchased my 08' Prius (Touring Edition package #6) 10 days ago. I am thrilled so far. I bought it at Autoway Toyota in Pinellas Park, Florida. I was visiting family there, so I pre-ordered the car a few weeks earlier and picked it up when I got there. Then, I proceeded to put over 1000 miles on it in about 12 hours, driving it back to my home in Houston, Texas. The turn by turn GPS sure was helpful...

Anyway, I searched the posts to see if my question was already answered, but I couldn't find anything. So here's my question: Has anyone else experienced the cruise control being disabled after using the "B" shifter position? I have used the "B" to brake coming down hills, very small hills since I live in Houston, Texas. After using the "B", the cruise control is totally disabled and cannot be reset unless the power button is shut off and restarted. I won't be using the "B" for braking anymore since I've read posts here that indicate it is not useful under normal driving conditions, in an area such as Houston. Any ideas why the cruise control is disabled? Is it a glitch or is it purposeful? Thanks, Bill J.

[qbee42]

I haven't seen that, but then I have no reason to use B mode. I've played with it, but never on cruise control. You should never have to shut off and restart cruise control, so if that is true you have discovered a bug. I'll give it a test and see. Are you sure you had to shut off and restart the cruise, or would setting it again do the job?

Tom

[Prius driver]

Originally Posted by Prius77094

I have used the "B" to brake coming down hills, very small hills since I live in Houston, Texas.

Hills in Houston? I lived there 25 years and don't remember any hills.
Except maybe the interchange stack ramps off the toll ways. Those are pretty high up there.

Anyway it would be normal for the engine break to shut off the cruise control.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by Prius driver

<snip> Anyway it would be normal for the engine break to shut off the cruise control.

But not normal to require a power-off/power-on cycle of cruise control, if that's really what the OP meant.

Tom

[Prius driver]

Originally Posted by qbee42

But not normal to require a power-off/power-on cycle of cruise control, if that's really what the OP meant.

Tom

Ok you can tell I'm still a Prius newbie. I was assuming he meant power for the cruise control not the Prius itself. I forgot the little round thing I push every morning says Power on it.


Im still confused about hills in Houston

[Prius77094]

Yes, I mean it totally disables the cruise control, requiring the power button to be totally shut off and then restarted. I tried turning the cruise control on and off, several times, with no luck. The only remedy I found was to pull over, shut off the car, restart, and get back up to speed and re-engage the cruise control. It worked fine after that. In summary if I use the "B" position, even with cruise control turned off, it disables the cruise control when turned on, making the setting of the cruise control impossible.
The hills I were referring to ARE the freeway overpasses. Those are hills to me! I thought that using the "B" would give regeneration without wear on the brakes, I was mistaken. Bill J.

[Prius driver]

Those good ol'e Houston Hills Makes me miss home.

Sounds like a glitch in the system. Probably could be fixed at the dealer if one wanted to and if Toyota has a solution.

[Prius77094]

"....restart, and get back up to speed and re-engage the cruise control."

I should have said "engaged", not "re-engaged"

[Prius77094]

Originally Posted by Prius driver

Those good ol'e Houston Hills Makes me miss home.

Sounds like a glitch in the system. Probably could be fixed at the dealer if one wanted to and if Toyota has a solution.

Hey! Your attached picture is the steepest grade in the area! I live about 5 miles from that "mountain"

[Prius driver]

Originally Posted by Prius77094

Hey! Your attached picture is the steepest grade in the area! I live about 5 miles from that "mountain"

Sorry I'm getting off your subject but it does help bump the thread. That pic must be on an early Sunday morning. I don't remember the traffic being that light.

On a rare clear day it is neat to see the downtown skyline from atop the 290-Beltway interchange. It is also fun to bring out-of-towners on top of that interchange and watch them say holy crap this city is huge.

I hope you find some answers to you B shift question.