:bump: for LEFTY1970



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you can change between the two anytime...I also use the B mode often instead of braking and get about 28-29 mpg.

 

I have been playing with B mode a bit after reading this post, there really is some conflicting info out there as to if it should be used often. I dabble with it on slight hills and get good regeneration but wondering if it is in fact ok to use any time with hills or slight hills.

 

huh ?

I thought B mode was going to hurt gas mileage as the
'gliding effect' is reduced ...

 

B stands for "Engine Braking" and does reduce the ability of the car to roll and simulates downshifting in a regular transmission. The braking effect is effectively the same as the regenerative braking so while in B mode it provides additional charging to the battery. While this seems like a good idea, B mode will not increase efficiency at all if the battery is already charged. In addition, since the ability to coast down hills is reduced efficiency will be reduced as well thus hurting efficiency. B mode is for providing braking effect when descending long hills...it can be used to prevent overheating of the brakes. Use of B mode in normal driving won't increase efficiency and has the potential to decrease the efficiency of the vehicle.

 

Thanks for the clarification, I will use it for deep longhills only going forward. Makes sense that its not any better since you get coasting going down the hills.

Still at 25 mpg on the new car, I dipped below it for a second and I was sad ha! Got it back with a long city trip. I know this obsession can't last long its a mpg here or there really no big deal in the end.