Gone are the days when petrol cars were the only four-wheelers on the roads. Technological advancements have seen the introduction of cars running on electricity and the most recent ones are solar-powered vehicles. While electric cars have gained mass popularity because of their eco-friendly features, a majority still prefers to stick to conventional petrol cars.
The dilemma of selecting a petrol car or an electric one can get the better of many people and that’s where hybrid cars step in, with a bit of both. Hybrid cars have been a preferred choice for many people, but the functioning and unique parts can get tricky for some to understand.
Speaking of unique parts, B gear in hybrid cars is an important part that is very helpful for your car. Let us steer the ship from here and let you know everything about B gear in hybrid cars.
What is B Gear?
The B gear in various car models such as Prius, etc is positioned as a lower gear. When on a downhill road, you might shift the manual transmission to a lower gear. The B gear increases engines’ drag and slows down the vehicle while it’s moving downhill. It harnesses engine braking power allowing the battery to use additional energy produced when you take your foot off the brake.
B GEAR IN HYBRID CARS
Hybrid cars in the UAE have become quite famous over the years because they can be operated by both petrol and electricity. One of the unique features for B gear in hybrid cars, is that generally a regenerative part of the braking system is used to increase drag.
The two main purposes of B gear in hybrid vehicles are listed below:
- Stimulate engine braking or downshift smoothly while driving on long steep hills
- Act as an alternative to brakes and save the wearing of braking system components
When to Use the B Gear?
You must know when to use the B gear as it can save you the stress of thinking that you’re charging your hybrid car battery when you are actually not. The B gear in hybrid vehicles is to be used in the same way as you would downshift to a lower gear in a conventional vehicle when moving down a steep hill. If you just use the braking pedal while driving downhill, there are high chances of overloading the brakes and premature wearing of the braking system.
The complete reliance on brakes while driving downhill can also lead to overheating of brake fluid, making it boil excessively and eventually lead to complete failure. In manual transmissions, you should shift to a lower gear as it assists the brakes in slowing down the car.
On the other hand, B gear in hybrid cars can assist you in cruising in snowy conditions. The B mode in Prius for instance prevents hydroplane and slippage on snowy tracks. Your vehicle can get out of control if you apply the brakes on slippery surfaces, this is where the B mode can come in handy.
If you want to add a Prius to your car collection, check out these used Toyota Prius for sale in the UAE and select from a vast variety of Prius listed.
When to Avoid Using the B Gear in Hybrid Cars?
B gear in hybrid cars can assist in driving downhills but it is not advisable to use this mode when driving on even surfaces. You gain nothing in driving with B gears on regular surfaces.
The B gear increases drag and recharges the hybrid car battery when you drive your car downhill but on regular surfaces, it only wastes energy and does not charge the battery.
Please note the B stands for braking and not for battery so use it effectively and under the right circumstances.
How to Use B Gear in Hybrid Cars?
Shifting to B gear is rather simple whether you are travelling down a steep hill or travelling on a lower gear. Firstly, you should reduce the speed to a velocity comfortable enough to help you cruise down the hill. When you are comfortable with the speed, you can shift to B on the gear shifter. You need not apply the brakes while changing to B gear.
You’ll hear a loud revving sound from the engine and this is your confirmation that the car has shifted to B gear. The sound is basically the engine’s attempt to balance the speed.
Can we Shift from D to B While Driving?
The answer is yes. You can always shift from D to B while driving. The physics of cars allows this shift of gears. You cannot shift from (Park) P to B but B to P is possible.
Among the many benefits of hybrid cars in the UAE, one is that you don’t need to worry about shifting to the wrong gears as the automatic transmission system will not allow you to do so. The modern transmission systems are designed to only shift in correct directions so even if you try to shift to the wrong gear, the system won’t let you.
Effective Ways to Drive a Hybrid Car
You can increase your car’s running life with proper maintenance and effective driving. The normal wear and tear will occur but by using the following methods, you can avoid untimely repairs. Here are some of the effective ways to drive a hybrid car:
- Using EV mode on short distances as it preserves the battery
- Using Eco mode on highways as it increases fuel efficiency
- Avoiding unnecessary and excessive usage of brakes
- Coasting when possible as it maximises driving efficiency
This was everything you needed to know about B gear in hybrid cars. As cars are getting modern and new features are introduced every now and then, the decision can get tricky to choose the ideal vehicle. You can check out the comparison of hybrid vs electric vs petrol cars for a clear idea about the advantages and disadvantages of both the car types.
If the idea of a hybrid car fascinates you, be sure to check out these used cars for sale in the UAE and select from a plethora of hybrid cars listed. You can find electric and petrol cars if those suit your needs.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for information about car parts and more.
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