B gear

Simple answer: I wouldn't bother with B unless you had a really serious descent.

 

It distracts the driver.

No, it shifts some wear from the brakes to the engine, but neither are likely to wear out, anyway.

Above 24 MPH (38 kph), yes. Below that it, B may just run the generators more aggressively. (I am not sure of the speed on Gen 4, that was accurate for Gen 2)

Coming from 37 years driving manuals, I found myself shifting to D at every traffic light. Harmless, but it took 5 years to quit altogether.

 

Yeah I would try to wean yourself of the habit.

The ONLY time you need B is for LONG downhills, where the hybrid battery may get charged to capacity and the car falls back to using friction brakes only, AND there's still a long ways to go before you get to the bottom. Say minimum a kilometer of steep downhill. Anything less than that I would still just use brakes.

B mode reduces charging, and imposes a drag.

The best strategy, almost all the time: leave it in D, and use the brakes as needed.

 

Agreed - unless you've got an extended downhill section, don't use "B" - as you'll use considerably MORE fuel, because it limits regeneration. You want maximum regeneration - leave it to it's own devices most of the time.

I've only used it twice in nearly 3 years - I still hanker for another 6sp Manual, but I resist playing with "B" as it's totally different.

I notice you've got a "PRIUS c" - this is on the Gen 4 forum - I'll request it be moved to the right place.

 

I use it so infrequently I have to look to see where it is.

 

I live in San Francisco. My regular commute takes me on some downhills that feel quite steep, although they only last for one or two short blocks. I understand the philosophy that one shouldn't save wear on a cheaper part of the car by adding wear to the more expensive part of the car. But those slopes really are so steep that, when in D, I have to press very hard on the brakes in order to come to a stop at the stop sign. The B gear makes stopping on these slopes far easier.

 

no worries using b gear in a prius

 

FOR Gen 4 PRIUS respondents to this question - I notice it's been moved to "PRIUS c" now. Thanks to moderators!

I'll "unwatch" the thread now.

 

My other vehicle is a 2013 Tundra with a 6-spd automatic tranny. I've been using the 'manual shifting' feature of the Tundra while slowing the truck for over 5 years. While these are obviously WAY different vehicles, once I picked up the Prius last year, I found myself doing the same thing with the 'B gear', purely out of habit. I don't have any long term results to speak from, but so far I've noticed zero issues with using it regularly when slowing down from moderate or highway speeds. So there's my anecdotal two cents.

 

You do realize when doing this that your losing out on a pretty good chunk of energy by spinning that ICE when you could be putting into the HV battery.

 

If I am affecting my fuel economy, it really hasn't been enough to be noticeable. I was just pointing out my experiences to show that I've seen no detrimental effect on the vehicle overall.

 

Correct, it is not a mode to Break your vehicle, only to Brake your vehicle. (you can use B at any speed)
You are trading an insignificant amount of brake pad wear for an insignificant amount of engine wear.
If you ignore the MPG drop, no harm, no foul.

 

I think in normal operation he's changing break wear near zero? And wearing the shifter.