"B" Range...What's Really Going On...

I thought it was a Texas thing...

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Yes, both ways I’m averaging 130, mental calculation. Funny, I just discovered another page on the Prime. It says I’m averaging 134 mpg. The drive up and down the American River chasm is both exciting and dangerous. If everybody would do 35-40, the drive would be pleasant, but there is always some schmuck in a pickup that wants to push you up the hill. My ultimate pleasure is taking him at the one passing zone, Power position is rewarding. What’s funny is that Rds speed limit is 55 ! Even the nuts do not try that.
I do get 3-4 miles regen on the way to the canyon. Every little bit helps.

 

I always give them extra room, they have a tough job.

 

Regen should be not merely "most (up to 80%)", but rather "ALL (100%)" done with the front brakes.

But this does not add anything to the total available brake drag, because it does not increase the available tire traction that friction brakes can already make full use of.

 

(I doubt many Prius get used hard enough for this to matter)
A friction brake works is by heating up the Disc rotor, (or before the 1970s a brake drum) converting kinetic energy into heat. Once the disc is saturated with heat, you experience brake fade as you can't transfer any more kinetic energy to heat. Regen delays this, as it is converting kinetic energy into chemical potential energy. (and a lot of heat, but not in the rotors)
One reason I suggest B from the top of the hill, rather than letting regen happen automatically, is to keep the rotors cool. Nothing good happens after the brake rotors overheat.

 

Small correction. REGEN uses the front WHEELS for 100% of the braking action, not the actual brakes.

Regardless of what "mode" you are driving in, the human must activate the friction brakes.

 

Look at Andy... corralling us back on topic.

 

Yes, and too late to edit to fix it.