I dont know if anybody else has noticed but if you have cc on above 25 mph and hold the cc stalk down it basically functions as a pretty dang strong elec brake. Is there a difference in regen efficiency on this versus the brake pedal? I noticed it would stop at a specific range in the band but still stopped at a strong rate. Thoughts, fellow Hypermilers? The reason I ask is because the old Prius guys and other hybrid enthusiast would wire in a circuit to mess with the resistance on the pedal to basically increase the strength of the regen without hardly touching the pedal and they reported a difference in mpg
I noticed that too. I've been meaning to test some things out with torque to see if the brake pads get used, but it does seem that it brakes more than I could using the full regen capability (which is rather limited in the cold weather we have now). If that's just my mind playing tricks because I'm not actively braking, I don't know.
All I know is that when the CC is engaged, the system uses the max regen braking if needed. Pads do not engage. I’m not sure how that compares to pressing the brake gently. I think the system can tap more regen capacity while running the CC than you could with the brake pedal. I also know that if it can’t maintain set speed with regen braking, it will employ engine braking. If your battery hits max charge, it goes entirely to compresson braking.
I am not aware that CC can do so. The main potential advantage would be that CC doesn't blend in the friction pads along with the regen. And doesn't waste any energy on brake lights . For reasons of better / faster / easier control, and less opportunity for operator confusion, I nearly always stick to the brake pedal regen. My foot can respond to sudden situational changes reflexively and nearly instantly, where my fingers on the CC controls can easily flub things. CC regen is reserved for moderate downhills were constant speed is acceptable. No slowing required, it only needs to prevent gravitational speed-up.
My typically way of driviing is called DWB or "driving without brakes" so I typically do a lot more p n g and regen as much as possible, and when I have to use the brakes it better be for a good reason. On my Honda that was the biggest increase to my mileage I saw right behind p n g, So I figured if I could get more efficiency out of the hybrid system I could go even further.
Somewhere around here is a link to a Google spreadsheet with a huge list of codes for Prius-specific gauges for all this. Somewhere ... ========== HERE: See also this long thread: https://priuschat.com/threads/scangaugeii-work-on-2010.64406
