I use it on just the steeper portions of this downhill run: Even so the battery displays full-up, as often as not. Also, for coming down Mount Seymour. Other'n that, pretty much never. (in the above Google Map I've spec'd "bicycle", basically so it shows the grade.)
There's only one around here that calls for B, most of a mile with a 9% grade and a 35mph limit. Real easy to roll over that without some extra resistance.
I really like it going down long, steep hills, but only if the traffic speed is below 35mph. Higher speed than that the engine revs like crazy and it’s more wear on the engine and fuel consumption than it’s worth it.
The whole point is to spin the engine very fast, compressing air without burning any fuel. Again, there is zero fuel consumed when engine-braking. The injectors are completely off. In terms of wear it's nearly nothing compared to when you put the skinny pedal down for sustained acceleration. Running an air compressor at high RPM has a side effect: noise. The computer will prevent it from ever being anything worse than noise. Turn your radio up; it's better than smoking your brakes.
No need for B on I-26 or any other interstate that I've been on (I-40, 70 and 80 through the Rockies) if you are using cruise. That will brake enough for interstate grades. If cruise is off then you will pick up speed. My parents live in that range north of Asheville and the only time I have used B is the road from the top of the mountain they are on. I agree with Iceman that going down that hill in B runs the RPM higher than me "flooring" it to merge onto a freeway. Maybe someday I'll connect up a gauge so I can see if that is really true or just sounds like it.
I must disagree with the "all but panic stops" bit. Regen is limited to at most 27kW, and even that only when the battery is not too hot or cold. But a panic stop at highway speed will exceed 500kW. That leaves a lot of in-between braking that still requires the friction pads. Yes, a good driving technique can use Regen for the vast majority of braking. But numerous folk's natural braking rate (my spouse included) exceeds that Regen limit, so some training may be needed to keep below the friction threshold. This is where the HSI display is most helpful. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Thanks for the replies. I got 68 MPGs on the way to the gym in the town south of here one day, and 59 MPGs on the way back. I saw some guy in a '12 Prius C on youtube today running it in the Eco score mode that shows the start, cruise, and stop levels. I'm going to run that mode and work on improving my Eco score.
@Lukey51 yeah try different setting, power, eco and diff screens. choose what you like....its all good. I just did a 30mi roundtrip 65mpg there and 68mpg back. can only hit those numbers when no traffic behind me. otherwise prob about 60mpg. It is amazing, since I dont see much distance anymore, I now only commute 6mi round trip for work. so 3mi is rough on the mpg, but I still manage 45-55mpg in the bitter PA winter (warmest I can recall) I consider "b" mode "boggin" like jbrake that bi-otch when u need to.
That's awesome. We could get some of those "Back Off" mud flaps, LOL. I look at people driving a Prius often at red lights, etc. Some of the women I've seen driving them seem oblivious to their Eco Score but I'm sure they still average MPGs at least in the mid 40s or more.
