Toyota Prius: comments on "drive" vs "brake" please...

"Jeff" <net> wrote in message
news:com... 

Greetings from Flagstaff!

I think your memory is playing tricks - our 2002 has always had more
lift-throttle drag than either of the automatic trannies in our garage but
less than manual gears.

I just use the brakes lightly for the grades each side of the Verde Valley.
The battery is just about "full" by the time we reach the bottom and the
charge gets used quickly when going up the other side. I'm pretty sure the
friction brakes are never used in that stretch. Same thing from Sunset Point
down to Phoenix - although it looks like Sunset Point may become part of
Phoenix in 10 years or so :-(

It takes some willpower to use the brakes for those long descents. Old
habits die hard, and I'd never drive a conventional vehicle that way -
downshifting is so much better. In hybrids, "riding the brake" is better for
all but really long grades. We had to use "B" on some of the mountains in
Colorado.

Mike

On Sun, 16 Jul 2006 08:59:53 -0700, "Michael Pardee"
<com> wrote:

<snip> 

Hi Mike, & Thanks for the reply!
I grew up in Colorado (Montrose) & those mountains down south of there
were my backyard growing up; it was gears or nothing! Also, drove for
the national park service in Estes Park a few summers, learned from
the "old timer" truck drivers; "the same or one gear lower" to get
down the same hill you climbed....

glad to hear (& not surprised) that my memory may be playing tricks!
it just "seemed" like you could let off the pedal, & get total
free-wheel coast-even on flat ground.... there is at least a good
deal more of the "hold back" when we use the "b" "gear"..... as w/
driving the old-style trucks, my mentors taught me to use "just enuff"
brake to hold the downhill speed to within about 5mph of your desired
speed; no hard braking, just gently, & occasional enuff to maintain an
even speed. sound about the same for prius? i think we "have been"
so far using the "b" pretty regularly, will try to stop that..

so far, she's keeping 45-48mpg, mostly driving around cottonwood....

we've got a lot to learn about the car, & so far, it's all been good
going for us! i like it when she "lets me drive!"
thanks again for reply!!
jeff