Ok, I know my salesperson briefly mentioned what the B on the gear shifter did, but I was too overwhelmed by driving such a technilogically advanced car to remember. So what is it for? Sorry for being so lazy to break out my owners manual. You guys here will probably have a better explanation anyways!
Tsk. Tsk. Help those who help themselves. Okay, its a jake brake, aka engine braking. (Engine spins to help slow the vehicle since there is no 2nd gear).
<_< When descending a long hill, generally one lightly breaks in order to check downhill speed. Applying brakes for long periods of time generates heat. Hot brakes are not as effective (brake fade). Also, hilly driving will result in premature need to replace brakepads. The B (Brake) position uses the two (2) motor generators to help slow the vehicle with reduced dependence on the machnical brakes. Additionally, the motor generators are charging the battery as you descend.
It is the BS gear. You won't use it and won't need it unless driving down a long decline to save your brakes. Skip that part in the manual now and focus on much cooler stuff Congrats and welcome.
Thanks for all the replies! I actually did look it up in the owners manual, and came to the conclusion that I will probably never use it. Now on to cooler stuff! I did create my first mp3 cd for my jbl system. Although having a car stereo that plays mp3's is not new, having this feature in my Prius is awesome! I made a CD of over 70 songs, and it was not even close to being full. And I must say, the jbl, for being "a stock stereo" really bumps! I think I am going to take all my CD's, and convert them to mp3 cds to keep in my prius!
