Retracts 400h Auto Gearbox

[DannyF]

Hi I've brought a lexis rx 400h today and was wondering what the automatic gear B was, the others P,N,D and R are all self explanatory but not sure about B

Thanks in advance

[stevet]

Brake as in engine braking when going down hill. It increases the amount power going through the generators and charges the hybrid more.

And welcome :)

[DannyF]

Maybe a silly question then but do you only use B when on hills or can you drive using it all the time?

[ColinBarber]

you can use it all the time but it isn't recommended. It will give you worse economy as the extra load isn't just from generators, it will turn over the petrol engine, without injecting fuel or sparking the plugs, which is just wasting energy.

The function has been incorrectly explained by many Toyota and Lexus sales people as a way to recharge batteries faster - this is incorrect and not what it is designed to do.

[DannyF]

Thanks Colin, so is it really just for going down hill?

[royoftherovers]

Thanks Colin, so is it really just for going down hill?

I use it a lot to slow the car down without having to use the brakes (when and where conditions allow)

Regards

John

[DannyF]

What about the shift lock, I'm guessing it stops gear change

[ColinBarber]

Thanks Colin, so is it really just for going down hill?

It is really only used for going down steep hills, especially when towing. It avoids overheating the brakes it you are constantly on them to stop the car accelerating away from you.

Shift lock is when the Battery is flat and you need to move out of park and into neutral to move the vehicle. There is an electric solenoid which activates when you press the brake pedal to allow the gear lever to move out of park (a safety feature to make sure you have your foot on the brake when you select a gear). If your Battery was flat then the solenoid wouldn't be able to operate.

[DannyF]

Thanks Colin