traveling between las vegas and los angeles regularly...i use the B on the steep grades...i like it

 

I use B position regularly, even just slowing down at intersections or coming to a stop. I don't think B mode works as an electrical retarding brake as i use on the 250 ton off road trucks i operate, rather its on engine brake, using the engine as an air pump to slow forward progress and saving your brake pads and rotors.

 

Joe,

I'm not sure. I thought that there were problems running the generator at high speed, so the ICE had to be used. I know it was covered in a different thread a couple of months ago.

 

You are wasting your potential regen braking, a definite hybrid driving style no-no. If you learn to apply your brakes gently you can get battery charge for your momentum instead of heated compressed air without wearing out brake pads.

I'm pretty sure both, or either depending on the situation and how the computer chooses to respond. I'm with you on the gentle riding of the brakes for max regen. I'm sure those behind you think you're burning up your brakes pads and think less of you, but the truth shall set you free...

 

I use the "B" setting quite often.

Living atop a hill in central Seattle, I am always heading down a steep hill on the way to the freeway or to the city's core. And the "B" setting really helps.

 

If the hill is steep enough that you would have to use moderate to heavy braking to prevent over-speed, then absolutely this is what "B" is for. There will be a transition point unique to each situation/hill that a driver must decide between getting max regen or moving to protect brakes from wear and/or overheating.

The all wheel drive HSD cousins get to do regen braking on all 4 wheels, they probably have more leeway for regen down the steeper hills then the TCH.

 

I often use B in rush hour traffic to hold back my speed while creeping along under 20mph going downhill. Oddly the ICE stays off in B mode unless my speed increases beyond 20 MPH or so.

 

Just picked up my (my wifes, mostly) TCH Sat. 100 miles on it now, so new to this. I too was wondering how "B" worked. Questions:

1) does anyone know if the ICE is actually running or is it just really an air pump to add to the drag?

2) The Manual states (not in front of me now) that one should not operate in "B" for long periods because this will reduce mileage, which kind of indicates it is running?

3) If this is so one might want to operate in "B" at the start of a cold day to heat the engine as ICE are a lot more efficient (stated by Ed Wallace, Radio Car Guy who was testing the Lexus Hybrid) when they are warm?

Suggestion to Toyota that they need a section in the manual for all of us curious teck-o nuts

 

Like the Prius the TCH stores hot coolant in a thermos bottle when shut off. It uses this to jumpstart the engine warm-up process.
My TCH goes from start to operating temperature in about a city block. My wife's XLE-V6 takes 2+ miles.
From what I remember the Prius can store coolant at operating temperature for a week even in near zero temperatures. I'll assume the TCH can do the same.
Gotta love it.
J

 

It will not use extra fuel if that's what you mean when used for slowing down. The engine may or may not be running according to other parameters, but using "B" does not use fuel in itself. The reason the manual warns of reduced mileage is due to:
1) Reduced coasting meaning more need to accelerate back to speed.
2) Possible reduced regen braking, meaning more need to run generator.