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Driving in "D" mode

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by murigius, Sep 28, 2010.

  1. murigius

    murigius new but learning

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    I'm a happy, thus far, new Prius driver. I understand and like the braking power (and charging power) of the B driving mode. It seems to be similar to turning off 'Overdrive' in my old Solara before applying the brakes.
    Question: What other uses does it have? The owner's manual is pretty skimpy, but I recall reading that it can be used to go up hills too.
    :) Thanks!
     
  2. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Best quick advice is do not use the B mode unless you are coming down a long steep hill and your battery is already charged clear to the top (8 bars).

    Do a search for B mode and read some of the good advice that has been offered over the years. The best way to search this site is to use Google and type in (for example) "driving in b mode site:this site's name" which would be priuschat.com

    For some reason I can't enter "driving in b mode site:priuschat.com" because it enters a pink smiley face in the middle. Anyway you get the idea.
     
  3. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Agree with tumbleweed.

    B mode will reduce your regen and increase waste heat.
     
  4. murigius

    murigius new but learning

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    Thanks Tumbleweed, I tried searching the site, but w/o luck. the google search makes sense:)
     
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    At one time, the low mileage reported by automotive writers suggested they were driving around in "B" (B*llsh*t mode.)

    Later, I realized they were +10 mph over posted speed limits with heavy use of the brakes. They are 'handling' oriented and since they don't pay for their 'test car' gas and maintenance, threat the evaluation cars like a 'rental.'

    Bob Wilson
     
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    With very few exceptions, B mode is only useful for descending long steep grades. Unless you drive in the mountains, it is unlikely that you will ever want to use B mode.

    Tom
     
  7. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    B is about as useful as EV, maybe even less so, which is to say not very useful :)
     
  8. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Difference is B mode is really needed when it is needed -- to keep the friction brakes from glazing down the mountain.

    EV is good to have, but not ever critical to have.
     
  9. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    When the battery is fully charged 8 bars and it cannot accept anymore charge, the engine kick on automatically anyway. There's really no need to put the shifter in B mode.
     
  10. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    Driving in B is like downshifting every time you left off the gas. Like from D4 to D3. This turns your engine into a giant air compressor that SLOWS your car down. Side effects include regenerating SOME extra, but nowhere as much as if you were in D and applied the brakes.