Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
I have a new hybrid Camry which I am very pleased with after one week. I am asking this forum for advice on using the B transmission mode - the owners manual is not very informative on this. Is is worth shifting into B on most downgrades? Any suggestions appreciated from more experienced drivers.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,051
From: New Jersey
Re: Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
It's like downshifting a manual transmission car. It will save wear and tear on your brakes, but it does not regenerate power to the battery. Use it if you are going down a long hill and don't want to 'ride the brakes'.
As a relatively new owner, I've used it once or twice.
Try it and see if you like it.
As a relatively new owner, I've used it once or twice.
Try it and see if you like it.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,312
From: Southern New Mexico
Re: Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
I think of the Brake position similar to the old Low gear. I was told it uses the generator at a geared up rate to slow the car down. If your on a rather steep grade or pick up enough speed then it switches to the engine (ice) to slow you down. Don't expect to go downhill over 30 to 35 miles per hour using the B position. You can also accelerate just like a regular car in Low gear.
There are two rather steep stretches in the nearby mountain highway where I use the Brake position. Each are less than a eighth mile long with a 30 mph curve at the bottom. Other than that the brake peddle works fine. The brake peddle also uses the generator but at a varying rate while also charging the traction batteries to slow the car.
There are two rather steep stretches in the nearby mountain highway where I use the Brake position. Each are less than a eighth mile long with a 30 mph curve at the bottom. Other than that the brake peddle works fine. The brake peddle also uses the generator but at a varying rate while also charging the traction batteries to slow the car.
Last edited by rburt07; Dec 10, 2007 at 02:32 AM.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 523
From: Ottawa, Canada
Re: Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
It is meant to be used primarly when a downgrade is steep enough and long enough that the battery will acquire a high SOC, rendering regenerative braking ineffective. Without the regenerative braking, your brake pads will quickly heat up. The B mode helps to circumvent this by slowing the car further with the engine.
Green Guy
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 13
From: British Columbia
Re: Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
It's like downshifting a manual transmission car. It will save wear and tear on your brakes, but it does not regenerate power to the battery. Use it if you are going down a long hill and don't want to 'ride the brakes'.
As a relatively new owner, I've used it once or twice.
Try it and see if you like it.
As a relatively new owner, I've used it once or twice.
Try it and see if you like it.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,051
From: New Jersey
Re: Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
I believe it does not regenerate while coasting, but it does if you press the brake pedal to assist engine braking.
REGENERATIVE BRAKE
When the brake is applied, the motor generator converts kinetic energy into electric energy. When applying brakes, you may hear a sound coming from the motor generator.
However, this does not indicate any trouble.
The regenerative brake works in the following operations.
1. When the accelerator pedal is released, the reduced speed equal to engine braking in a gasoline−fueled vehicle is obtained in accordance with the running mode position of the selector lever.
2. When the brake pedal is depressed with the selector lever in “D” or “B”, the regenerative brake works.
When the brake is applied, the motor generator converts kinetic energy into electric energy. When applying brakes, you may hear a sound coming from the motor generator.
However, this does not indicate any trouble.
The regenerative brake works in the following operations.
1. When the accelerator pedal is released, the reduced speed equal to engine braking in a gasoline−fueled vehicle is obtained in accordance with the running mode position of the selector lever.
2. When the brake pedal is depressed with the selector lever in “D” or “B”, the regenerative brake works.
Last edited by haroldo; Dec 10, 2007 at 09:30 AM.
Malcontent
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 286
From: Littleton, Colorado
Re: Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
I don't think it's any different from braking since the point of friction is still the tires.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 859
From: Waterloo, ON
Re: Use of B mode in hybrid Camry?
Both 'D' and 'B' modes regenerate energy to the battery, provided the battery isn't "full." It's just that 'B' mode does more of it — it gives more braking effect, some of which is regenerative, and some of which is true "engine braking." Also, once the battery is "full," neither mode will regenerate at all. In 'D' mode, all braking will be by the (lossy) friction brakes; whereas in 'B' mode, the ICE will be spun by the wheels (via the two motor-generators) to give (lossy) engine braking. So, with the battery "full," all braking is lossy.
Stan
Stan
