Most people won't use the "B" mode because it hurts MPG and they don't need it in the areas they drive in.

If you do a lot of mountainous driving, the "B" mode would help to cut down on brake use on those really long steep multi-mile downhill grades. Other than for that, I can't see much use for it.

Link to My Hybrid Car News Web Page

If you do a lot of mountainous driving, the "B" mode would help to cut down on brake use on those really long steep multi-mile downhill grades. Other than for that, I can't see much use for it.

My understanding of the regenerative braking is that when "riding" your brakes down a steep slope you are not using the hydraulic brakes, thus no brake wear and you are generating more charge. Other than annoying the people behind you it's free energy.

Unless the "B" mode applys more torque to the generator and does more charge than braking I wouldn't use it.

I have found the cruise to be acceptable but have had better on slopes. I think that possibly the torque of the engine (and gearing of some transmissions) has a lot to do with the ability of the cruise to hold speed, especailly as you have inclines. (Big V8's don't lug down easily)

I've found on steep slopes uphill with the cruise set at 70 that the speed may drop down below 65 and then the accelerator comes on with a vengence and the PSD starts making a lot of noise (sounds like a normal car down shifting and kicking in the 4 barrel). Going down a steep slope I find that at 70 I have exceeded 80 miles per hour and had to use my brakes as it would not hold me back (not that I really want it to)

However for 95% of my long distance driving (flat to mild slopes) the cruise seems well fitted for the hybrid system giving good FE results. I was afraid it wouldn't allow the ICE to go to the 60 mode like I can do when I lift my foot but the cruise sits at FE60 a lot on the interstate for me.

My understanding is that once your battery is fully charged, regen braking will switch over to regular brakes, which could happen on a long downgrade.

Link to My Hybrid Car News Web Page

My understanding is that once your battery is fully charged, regen braking will switch over to regular brakes, which could happen on a long downgrade.

If that's true then you'd want to watch the battery charge and then switch to B after the dark green bar lights up. OR accelerate (when safe , not necessarily legal) to gain more momentum for the next flat or slope ahead.

Well, Washington State is not particularly flat, so I will a) check with my dealer to see if the CC is within norm; b) use the B mode (which I have to some extent) on those long downhills; and c) check back on this discussion this evening as I need to go to work!

On my flat highway commute to work it doesn't vary more than 1mph in either direction. On hills is where it goes +/-5mph. That being said, I prefer NOT to use CC on hills. I don't think it's good for the car. *shrug*

I just took a 12 hour round trip driving with cruise on at about 75 miles per hour. I did not notice that mine sped up. It did drop when hitting the hill and then it brought it back up. I watch the dash alot during this trip and had some moderate hills.

It did drop when hitting the hill and then it brought it back up.

There's probably not a real hill within 6 hours of you

Seriously the steep hills are where it's noticable. On gradual rolling hills I have no problems

I prefer NOT to use CC on hills. I don't think it's good for the car. *shrug*

It won't hurt the car, just your FE average