Driving in "B" Mode Regularly

I obviously didn't understand your question then. Why would a non-hybrid downshift in city driving? I see no reason why a non-hybrid would. But the B as we have been discussing, is for a Hybrid.

 

Sorry . I somehow thought that the discussion involved B mode with both hybrids and non-hybrids.

 

Why not? Or, when did such methods become disapproved? We have downhills with stop signs and stoplights at the bottom. Why approach hot?

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, that's when you WOULD use a lower gear in an automatic. On the flats, a non hybrid would not see a benefit of using it IMO.

 

Driving in the lower gear on city streets can limit the gear hunting and shifting that some don't like, and also wastes energy.
Our Sable has OD, D, 2, and 1. The manual says to use D for that reason, and the car is old enough that selecting a lower gear will lock it out of use. Newer automatics could change the shift points with a lower 'gear' selection, but still allow access to the higher gears.

Plus, limiting brake use has the same benefit of extending brake life in all cars, not just hybrids.

 

Yes, it's easy to confuse regeneration rate with efficiency. I did the same back in 2013 when being new to the PiP, seeing those estimate numbers accumulate faster feels good. Even these days I have to remind myself from time to time that regeneration is only about 50% efficient.
Toyota was advocating all along that when it comes to regeneration - less is better.

 

Although when discussing hybrids, one has to take care to be very clear when using the term "brake use" as to whether one is talking about "applying brake pedal" or "using friction brakes". On those primitive non-hybrids, there is no confusion.

 

As Newbie to Prius World I found it equally difficult to glide either in "D" or "B" mode while in E/V.
One observation:
My 'gliding' attempts increased my e/v range from 31 to 35 miles on my flat daily commute in "B" mode.
Strangely while in "D" mode I could not achieve such e/v range gains with my 'gliding' attempts (max was 32-33 miles e/v range).

Maybe my D-gliding requires more skills (less acc pedal travel to eliminate re-gen?) or/and does re-gen works differently in B in comparison to D mode?

Here come my questions:
is the Prime re-gen efficiency speed dependent aka kinetic energy/load of generator)?
on in other words:
In scenario of slowing down to complete STOP is combination of 'gliding' + stronger re-gen driving technique better than just applying continuous slight re-gen all the way to STOP?

 

That sounds like a recipe for horrible mpg, lol.

I've tried valiantly, on a few occasions, to hypermile our daughter's Pilot, fwiw.

 

I also found that. actually 'gliding' in E/V "B" mode gives more control over re-gen/ speed and reduces significantly the need for friction breaks in normal driving conditions.

 

I shift into "N" and the problem is solved. But I only use "N" primarily in the neighborhood to reach the cross town streets or when exiting to an access road in low traffic conditions. Otherwise, I'm either in "D", normal traffic with dynamic cruise control, or "B" during our infamous Huntsville rush minute or construction zone. I preferred a laid back driving pattern.

Bob Wilson

 

Well, in hybrid mode, B gear is also throwing away more energy than D for the Prime and Prius.

When trying, I can get our Sable with the 3L V6 to push 29mpg; calculated from a fill, we don't got fancy displays on that car. The trying actually isn't trying, and the fuel economy was still decent when I left the car in D and not OD on country roads once.

 

Thanks Bob - That exactly what I do.
BTW
Tried using "N", but turned out that the 'gliding' worked better

 

For efficiency - gliding is better than coasting, coasting is better than brake regen.
In the scenario you are describing I would say the best will be to start react to the situation as early as traffic permits.

 

How are gliding and coasting different? They're both zero torque applied to the wheels.

 

The Prius simulates the engine drag that you get in a conventional ICE car when the foot is off the accelerator by doing regeneration. Difference is, in a conventional car, this is wasted energy, but in the Prius, a certain percentage (50%?) is reclaimed.

 

Okay, well, those terms make no sense to me. Some "coast' definitions:

"to continue to move or advance after effort has ceased; keep going on acquired momentum: "

"(of a person or vehicle) move easily without using power."

Regen is both "effort" and "power", so it's not "coasting".

By the way, as an R/C glider pilot, I would say the same about "gliding" - no effort, the same as "coasting".