B under the D in the Drive gears?

There is no physical connection to the transmission system though. The fact that you "go through" a position doesn't mean anything if the car doesn't interpret that input as anything.

The manual clearly says you need to hold the shifter in the N position before the car will interpret the request to change to the N state. If you move the shifter directly to D, the car won't interpret any request for N and therefore won't move to N.

Remember that in a Prius, all shift modes other than P simply change the logic implemented by the computer. P is the odd one out, because it physically engages the parking prawl. The car is never in a true neutral state because the planetary gear set is always engaged. The neutral mode simply implements a particular behaviour that simulates being in neutral in a regular car.

Given this thread is in the c forum and people are probably going to misinterpret this liftback discussion, I have to say again that the c is different. Because the c's shifter is the traditional style, moving through the N position on a c (between D and R and vice versa) will always select the N mode function at least briefly as you pass through.

 

I am sorry I started posting a non c related question in a c forum, if it has caused any confusion. Still learning my way around the car and this website.

 

I only use the "N" position when I take ChuggyPig through the car-wash (lots of nasty salt here in the NE)

DROID4 ?

 

...the only "dumb" questions are those which are never asked!

DROID4 ?

 

You can't "overcharge" the battery. On long downhills, when the battery gets "full" the ICE comes on automatically to provide compression braking. This is because the field to the MG's is turned off so they won't produce current, and therefore will not provide any braking.

"B" mode is pretty worthless in day to day driving, and is more likely a safety and legal item, just like low gear in your automatic. Every car has some kind of engine braking method.

 

I agree. Day-to-day you won't ever have to use B. But for mountain driving it work great. I drove down from Tahoe down to the valley and the B position helped me keep the speed down without having to abuse the breaks. I was using my dad Prius though, but I'm really sure it's the same with the C.