Best Mode for driving Prius Prime up Steep Hill for vehicle longevity not best mpg?

Personally, if I know beforehand that I'm not going to be able to complete a trip using only the EV motor, I like to let the Prime go through it's ICE ( Internal Combustion Engine ) engine WarmUp cycle in the driveway before I leave.
The warmup cycle is when the Engines runs at it's least efficient and it's highest wear.
So if you put less load on the engine while it's warming up it should run smother and more efficiently.
The engine shuts off automatically as soon as the warmup cycle is complete, typically a few minutes.

You can also check to see if you get the burn smell again while the engine is running in the driveway.

 

If there is charge in the battery, the system will make more use of EV during the engine warm up cycle. No need to wait in the drive way.

 

It's not something I need to do, but yeah, I just don't like the sound of the warmup cycle while I'm rolling.
My plus is a lot rougher rolling during warmup than after the warmup cycle, especially in cold rainy snowy weather.
I'll bet it's that way on hills as well when the prime is warming up and out of EV.

 

Oh yeah I bet it is...

 

In B mode you’ll get a better charge downhill with more controlled speed and minimum ICE when foot is on brake pedal, all in charge mode. Iv used this procedure lately, finding better control and always charging in any situation. Gets me prepared for the next 1000 foot climb uphill. one can charge both ways at the same time with ICE and regen. I can easily charge 10 miles downhill. That takes the car up 1000 feet in EV/ Eco.

 

On the hills I have on 49 S the car constantly speeds up going downhill so Brake is the better mode. when leaving home it matters not which mode as the car is fully charged anyway. And car will not go into charge mode as Battery is Full. The big difference between the pip and the PRIME is the charge option switch.

 

In post 22, My bad, one cannot charge in B mode with the charge switch on, so you only get regeneration in B mode, downhill. ( which is enough ). However if you want both modes of charging, use D mode and ride the brakes downhill.

 

your prius likes the rain as much as mine?