Originally Posted by rburt07

No I doubt using the Brake mode would hurt anything. I do know if you use it when the engine is off, it will start the engine. I understand that the B mode is like a pre-set brake. If the car goes fast enough the generator then goes to the engine for the braking or gearing down. I would think above 40 or 45 miles per hour.

That may be because the generator/motor is more effective up to 40 miles per hour. Although it can aid the engine though at higher speeds when needed if you have a high enough charge.

I have seen the battery full charged in the Multi Function Display while coming down a mountain. Evidently the engine was used more even around 40 miles per hour due to the battery being fully charged. A Toyota tech had earlier told me that was another reason they like to keep the battery charged at 80%. That leaves extra room for the generator braking. The main reason for the 40% to 80% charge was to extend the life of the nickel-hydride batteries.

This same tech told me there is a early prius around town with 225,000 + miles on it. The batteries have never been touched. That gave me a good feeling. He said the newer models, the batteries are in small groups of plug in packs and are easy to change out if ever needed.

I wish someday that Toyota would make a hybrid where we can run in the EV mode at 50 miles per hour.