> > When you find yourself riding the brakes when going downhill, put it in
> > "B". This increases engine braking (the engine spins without fuel or
> > spark, using kinetic energy to pump air; "jake brakes" without the
> > noise). Don't forget to put it back in "D" at the bottom of the hill or
> > fuel economy will suffer.
> I was under the impression that constant light to moderate pressure on the
> Prius brake pedal governed the battery regenerative charging rate and that
> "riding" the brakes going downhill improved fuel economy. If my
> understanding is correct, only steady, heavy pressure would engage the
> mechanical brakes causing them to overheat.
True, but after a year of ownership I can't tell when the mechanical
brakes have engaged. And some prefer to use "B" rather than wear down
the brake pads. Certainly one should use "B" when going down, say,
Mount Hamilton near San Francisco.
>> > When you find yourself riding the brakes when going downhill, put it in
>> > "B". This increases engine braking (the engine spins without fuel or
>> > spark, using kinetic energy to pump air; "jake brakes" without the
>> > noise). Don't forget to put it back in "D" at the bottom of the hill
>> > or
>> > fuel economy will suffer.
>> I was under the impression that constant light to moderate pressure on
>> the
>> Prius brake pedal governed the battery regenerative charging rate and
>> that
>> "riding" the brakes going downhill improved fuel economy. If my
>> understanding is correct, only steady, heavy pressure would engage the
>> mechanical brakes causing them to overheat.
> True, but after a year of ownership I can't tell when the mechanical
> brakes have engaged. And some prefer to use "B" rather than wear down
> the brake pads. Certainly one should use "B" when going down, say,
> Mount Hamilton near San Francisco.
Having bicycled over Mt. Hamilton a few times (when I was young and studly)
I think the San Jose side is beyond limit of the battery capacity - IIRC it
is about a 4000 ft descent - and using "B" would be just right. The
Livermore side should be just fine with regenerative braking. The five mile
descent would certainly charge the battery, though!
(My worst bicycle accident was on Mt. Hamilton. I was using tubular tires
and forgot I had changed the front tire on the way up - it rolled off the
rim in one of the turns above the switchbacks at over 30 mph. When I
recovered my senses I had almost exactly half a shirt left - the front, left
sleeve and collar. My body was road-rashed to match.)
Mike
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> > "B". This increases engine braking (the engine spins without fuel or
> > spark, using kinetic energy to pump air; "jake brakes" without the
> > noise). Don't forget to put it back in "D" at the bottom of the hill or
> > fuel economy will suffer.
> I was under the impression that constant light to moderate pressure on the
> Prius brake pedal governed the battery regenerative charging rate and that
> "riding" the brakes going downhill improved fuel economy. If my
> understanding is correct, only steady, heavy pressure would engage the
> mechanical brakes causing them to overheat.