Saying that you should use it ONLY on long descents implies that it shouldn't be used for other times.
Is there any negatives associated with B on normal slowing, such as a light 1/4 mile away? (other than the lack of a brake light whilst slowing and the hands being moved from wheel to shifter)

 

Just before driving the car off the lot to bring home, the 'salesman' gave us two pearls of wisom regarding the'B': 1- Never, under any circumstance use the B when traveling more than 25mph and 2- Use B when driving UP steep hills. After being informed of this, I hope that he did not catch my eye roll as I thanked him for sharing his (lack of) knowledge on the Camry Hybrid.
I am really surprised by the lack of knowledge in general by the salesman at dealerships. With the trend of the hybrid market being what it is, I am dumbfounded at the lack of knowledge regarding these cars. They should have the salesmen come in early on Saturday morning and watch 30 minute installments of the iguide for the TCH (or prius and Highlander hybrid), or read the manual, just so that they do not look like a complete moron to a semi educated consumer IMHO.

 

Did you alert him to his error?
If not, he is free to share his mis-information with other new car owners (including many who might not be as educated as the members of this forum).
I'd contact the sales manager and without using the word 'moron', you might want ot let them know how they can improve the information flow.
I called my salesman and gave him a tip on how to work around a BlueTooth bug (pairing Toyotas with Treos).

 

The only other negative is a hit on your MPG. However; in the situation you describe, I doubt it makes much difference. Just don't forget and drive around in B! If you do, you will be lucky to see 30 mpg. B does minimal regen, retards the valve timing, and spins up the ICE for braking at speeds over 18mph. Once the ICE is running, B prevents the ICE from stopping.

I often use B in rush hour traffic when coasting along at 10-15mph going down slight grades. It keeps my speed steady and avoids riding the brake pedal. When I do have to stop, the driver behind me sees my brake lights come on.

There is a 9% 3/4 mile grade I always use B coming down. B holds me back to 50 to 55 mph on that grade.

 

That's the only time I've ever seen a max SoC. Except on a long down grade, I've always got one white bar at the top of the scale. Using B on in the mountains, it will finally go that last bar worth.

 

My salesman made a point of informing me that the ECO mode uses more fuel than normal, but helps cool the car faster.

 

Your salesman is a MOW-RON. Or at least he's hopelessly ignorant about this car. ECO mode will, in borderline conditions, cool the car slightly LESS effectively, and should result in slightly less fuel consumption.

 

Wait a minute -- was he (or are you) talking about the ECO mode, as in the awkwardly-placed button in front of your left knee, which adjusts the climate control performance; or are we talking about "B" mode for the drive system, as selected by the "shift" lever?

 

The awkwardly-placed button. Fortunately, I had read up enough on the TCH here and other places to know better. It was an example of the misinformation that is being spread by alleged "product experts" who should know better. Same thing happened when I went in to Best Buy to get a TV. Now, I just ignore the blue shirts.

 

Salespeople are not all morons but the ones that say stupid things like that make it hard to cut the others some slack. atleast my guy told me he did not know about the ECO, B, and the keyless entry system.