Just remember that the B will slow the car without illuminating your brake lights, so don't use it if someone is tailing you too closely

 

Correct. The fuel and ignition are cut out, and the valve timing is changed to allow for more compression.

 

I've engaged it at 80 miles per hour without issue. The computer controls how much the engine revs, and the deceleration provided by B mode is nearly the same at any speed. That is, you will slow down in B if the accelerator pedal is up, and the slow down will be about the same from any speed. The engine rev up is very smooth, but it does seem to rev higher at very high drive speeds.

The only time I use B is when the battery is fully charged, or I know it will be by the bottom of the hill even using B mode. That would be something like a 6% grade dropping 2000-3000', unless the battery is already mostly charged. I usually start with the brake pedal, if only slightly, to ensure the people behind me know I am going to be slowing down.

-- Alan

 

I used the B mode today on a mountain road with lots of turns, mostly down hill. I liked the added control I seemed to have over my speed.

 

Many months ago I had to go to Las Cruces. A good sized mountain you have to go over is located east of the city. Going over the pass at the top headed west toward the city. It's a straight run down the other side for a couple of miles. I slow to 40 mph then start down. I move the level to Brake as the car slowly speeds up. I get up to near 50 miles per hour then move it to drive. The grade levels some as I slightly ride the brakes to keep it around 55 to 60 miles per hour.

I noticed after I used the Brake position the battery shows full charge and was all white. I have also seen the scan gauge showing the engine running to also help slow the car once the battery was that full.

If in the brake position you can still use the accelerator. The car salesman during a demo ride warned me not to accelerate while in the Brake mode. I thought I read it can also use the physical brakes to help slow the car along with the generator.

 

I use it a fair of the time.
I'd be careful on a "mountain road with lots of turns". Yes, it gives much better control, but it also requires taking your hand off the wheel (possibly while on a curve) to disengage it. From my personal experience, this maneuver is a bit dangerous. I only use it on straightaways or when I feel that I will keep it engaged long enough to get to a straight patch of road.
Just my personal opinion.

 

Why would you need to disengage it during a long downhill twisted road? It seems the car does the right thing even when you push on the gas.

 

Not sure, I never used he gas in B, I always disengage when I need to accelerate

 

A good explanation for the use of "B" mode is that during "off-throttle" coasting or coastdowns or actual brake pedal application it will reduce the level of regenerative braking braking capability via using actual engine compression braking "instead", in conjunction with.

It will have no effect "on-throttle".

 

Okay, just got back from using it going up to Tahoe. There were some 6 and 5 degree grades.

I used it whenever I saw a sign for trucks to use their low gear.

It worked really well and I did use the throttle with it since it truly slowed the car down and I didn't want to be a slow poke danger to others.

Loved it.