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B gear

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by mister164, Jan 24, 2019.

  1. mister164

    mister164 New Member

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    I have searched and found that B gear is good to use when going down hill, but that's not my question. I just came off a 5 speed transmission and I like to shift. Is it bad to shift into B gear every time I would use the brakes? Bad for the car? Bad for MPG?
    I don't understand all the hi-tec lingo so a simple yes or no is all I'm looking for.
     
  2. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    Simple answer: I wouldn't bother with B unless you had a really serious descent.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    It distracts the driver.
    No, it shifts some wear from the brakes to the engine, but neither are likely to wear out, anyway.
    Above 24 MPH (38 kph), yes. Below that it, B may just run the generators more aggressively. (I am not sure of the speed on Gen 4, that was accurate for Gen 2)

    Coming from 37 years driving manuals, I found myself shifting to D at every traffic light. Harmless, but it took 5 years to quit altogether.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah I would try to wean yourself of the habit.

    The ONLY time you need B is for LONG downhills, where the hybrid battery may get charged to capacity and the car falls back to using friction brakes only, AND there's still a long ways to go before you get to the bottom. Say minimum a kilometer of steep downhill. Anything less than that I would still just use brakes.

    B mode reduces charging, and imposes a drag.

    The best strategy, almost all the time: leave it in D, and use the brakes as needed.
     
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  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Agreed - unless you've got an extended downhill section, don't use "B" - as you'll use considerably MORE fuel, because it limits regeneration. You want maximum regeneration - leave it to it's own devices most of the time.

    I've only used it twice in nearly 3 years - I still hanker for another 6sp Manual, but I resist playing with "B" as it's totally different.

    I notice you've got a "PRIUS c" - this is on the Gen 4 forum - I'll request it be moved to the right place.
     
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  6. mister164

    mister164 New Member

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    I have a 2016 Prius C. Isn't that a gen 4?
    Thanks for all the answers. I will try not to use it from now on.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I use it so infrequently I have to look to see where it is.
     
  8. michael.sfo

    michael.sfo Member

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    I live in San Francisco. My regular commute takes me on some downhills that feel quite steep, although they only last for one or two short blocks. I understand the philosophy that one shouldn't save wear on a cheaper part of the car by adding wear to the more expensive part of the car. But those slopes really are so steep that, when in D, I have to press very hard on the brakes in order to come to a stop at the stop sign. The B gear makes stopping on these slopes far easier.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no worries using b gear in a prius
     
  10. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    FOR Gen 4 PRIUS respondents to this question - I notice it's been moved to "PRIUS c" now. Thanks to moderators!

    I'll "unwatch" the thread now.
     
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  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    This is the Gen 4 Prius.

    2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid - Consumer Reports

    The Prius c is a different model all together.
     
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  12. mister164

    mister164 New Member

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    Ok. Thank you.
     
  13. Augie Doggie

    Augie Doggie Junior Member

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    My other vehicle is a 2013 Tundra with a 6-spd automatic tranny. I've been using the 'manual shifting' feature of the Tundra while slowing the truck for over 5 years. While these are obviously WAY different vehicles, once I picked up the Prius last year, I found myself doing the same thing with the 'B gear', purely out of habit. I don't have any long term results to speak from, but so far I've noticed zero issues with using it regularly when slowing down from moderate or highway speeds. So there's my anecdotal two cents.
     
  14. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    You do realize when doing this that your losing out on a pretty good chunk of energy by spinning that ICE when you could be putting into the HV battery.
     
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  15. Augie Doggie

    Augie Doggie Junior Member

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    If I am affecting my fuel economy, it really hasn't been enough to be noticeable. I was just pointing out my experiences to show that I've seen no detrimental effect on the vehicle overall.
     
  16. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Correct, it is not a mode to Break your vehicle, only to Brake your vehicle. (you can use B at any speed)
    You are trading an insignificant amount of brake pad wear for an insignificant amount of engine wear.
    If you ignore the MPG drop, no harm, no foul.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think in normal operation he's changing break wear near zero? And wearing the shifter.
     
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