What’s the B on a Prius for? Anyone know?

Toyota Passenger and Sports Car Forums Prius
21

Washington said:
@Sully
Haha! Leave Clippy alone! Poor guy’s retired.

RIP Clippy, never forgotten.

22

Kiran said:
@Amory
Lol, nah. I just like saying I asked Jeeves. That site died like 10 years ago. I also still joke about my MySpace page.

Is Tom still your friend on MySpace?

23

Kiran said:
@Amory
Lol, nah. I just like saying I asked Jeeves. That site died like 10 years ago. I also still joke about my MySpace page.

I wish! Jeeves was a legend. And MySpace is kind of making a comeback, right?

24

@Amory
This conversation just got me feeling old.

25

Kiran said:
@Amory
Lol, nah. I just like saying I asked Jeeves. That site died like 10 years ago. I also still joke about my MySpace page.

Can we circle back to what B actually does though?

26

@Amory
Still not sure if I should use B. What’s the consensus?

27

Kiran said:

Claire said:
Pretty sure it’s for ‘engine braking.’

I looked it up. The B stands for braking mode, which boosts regenerative braking and engine braking.

It’s not for boosting regenerative braking, actually. It’s mainly for engine braking when the battery’s full.

28

Claire said:
Pretty sure it’s for ‘engine braking.’

Close. It’s really about regenerative braking—using the generator to help slow down.

29

Claire said:
Pretty sure it’s for ‘engine braking.’

Anyone got a good explanation without the technical jargon?

30

It’s for engine braking. Use it on steep hills to avoid overheating your brakes.

31

Zander said:
It’s for engine braking. Use it on steep hills to avoid overheating your brakes.

I also use it during icy Minnesota winters. Helps a lot on slick roads.

32

Dara said:

Zander said:
It’s for engine braking. Use it on steep hills to avoid overheating your brakes.

I also use it during icy Minnesota winters. Helps a lot on slick roads.

Yeah, it’s like having a lower gear in cars that don’t have them.

33

@Delilah
Totally. The Prius does pretty well in the winter. Warms up quick even in freezing temps, and with a low center of gravity, I feel pretty safe.

34

Dara said:
@Delilah
Totally. The Prius does pretty well in the winter. Warms up quick even in freezing temps, and with a low center of gravity, I feel pretty safe.

I think Canada gets a winterized version with all-wheel drive and extra clearance.

35

@Delilah
Canada always gets the cool stuff. All I get is heated air from the vents.

36

Dara said:
@Delilah
Canada always gets the cool stuff. All I get is heated air from the vents.

When did they start doing that? Sounds awesome.

37

@Delilah
Man, I wish they offered that here.

38

Dara said:
@Delilah
Totally. The Prius does pretty well in the winter. Warms up quick even in freezing temps, and with a low center of gravity, I feel pretty safe.

Seriously though, do you guys think the B mode makes a big difference?

39

Dara said:

Zander said:
It’s for engine braking. Use it on steep hills to avoid overheating your brakes.

I also use it during icy Minnesota winters. Helps a lot on slick roads.

Is B mode actually safer on icy roads?

40

Zander said:
It’s for engine braking. Use it on steep hills to avoid overheating your brakes.

This is the real answer. B is for braking on hills.