The one and only Prius Plug-in FAQ!

most of us have gotten a spare and stored it somewhere. Search: spare, doughnut, quite a few threads already in archives. You can pretend that 3000 people are talking to you.

 

Read Post 15

 

Where is the entune microphone located?

 

Good effort, Len. Perhaps some winter-related FAQs will emerge. The other day, after six weeks of driving my new PIP, I discovered what the "B" position on the gear shifter does. I never got a tutorial from the dealer on how the batteries regenerate.

 

I understand it to be a simple old fashioned "jake brake" whose only benefit is to prolong brake pad life. I had been under the impression that it was a coasting-charger on steroids. Is neither accurate?

 

As I am still in discovery mode, I might think of more for you. This is very helpful stuff, thanks. I think "jake brake" might be a Northeast term. Entering some rural towns one might see a sign for truckers" NO JAKE BRAKES." I hope I don't get busted!!

 

In my locale it is refered to as "engine braking" and is often restricted within municipalities for a number of reasons, one of which is the lack of a brake light warning for other drivers.

 

I read the FAQ, and it something is not clear to me. First, there are actually three kinds of braking in the PiP: Regeneration, engine braking, friction brakes. And it is not trivial to figure out when each is applicable. When going downhill, if you engage cruise control, then the system seems to aggressively use regeneration to keep you speed at the set point, without the driver needing to engage B. And with the larger battery, it can handle a lot more hill than can the standard Prius. I think engine braking is only used if the battery is full, but I defer to others on this point. I don't think that applying the brake pedal will ever engage engine braking; it will use only regeneration and friction brakes.

 

I read that there is a federal law that requires all vehicles to have an engine brake. I think it is useless/redundant in the PiP. I have not encountered any icy downhill slopes yet. I used to use the low gears in my old 1987 Buick Regal whenever the roads were icy.

 

i think there may be a difference between engine braking (b mode) and engine burning off excess charge. i'm not sure it acts as a brake in the latter?

 

complicated, but interesting!

 

compleresting or intercomplicated!