I'm still relatively new to the hybrid space so bear with me. When braking (on normal, or eco mode) the dial will drop into the "charge" section. IF it doesn't go all the way vertically down, does that mean regenerative braking is being used, and hence not the actual brake pad/rotor? Is that how it works? And presumably, the brakes/rotors kick in once braking force is needed past when the dial is bottomed out. When driving, I've been trying to time slowing down to a red light by keep the dial above the maximum charge section; was wondering if that was actually useful.

Thanks

 

I don't know the answer to this, but sometimes I also try and drive similarly (braking slowly to avoid pegging the needle downward). My guess is that the regen and rotors are always operating on braking, because that seems easier and safer. I don't notice a change in the brake feel when the needle is bottomed out. But it is possible that the regen is most active initially, and then it increases the rotors smoothly. Pegging the needle simply means (I think) that you're exceeding the capacity to put energy back into the system from the brakes (braking harder/faster than the regen system can handle). So regardless, I think it's still useful to not bottom out the needle. But this hybrid system is common on other cars, so I wonder if the answer lies on a Prius forum somewhere. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

 

I want to chime in and mention that Toyota has mastered the art of the imperceptible feeling when regen brakes switch to physical ones. You can still tell based on the how the car feels. Regen brakes feel like a drag on the car, like something is pulling it from the back, slowing it down, while physical brakes move the weight of the car forward, since the front brakes do most of the work. Using this, I can tell how the car is braking, and did find that the physical brakes seem to engage once you reach the end of the regen meter.

 

Thanks Raidin! You've driven the car more than anyone else has, so that's some good feedback. I'll have to pay more attention to it.

 

The brake pedal position sensor, coupled with an inertial sensor will collectively decide how to to apply both systems. Under 'light', non-aggressive braking, you'll usually stay in regen exclusively. When the arrow bottoms out, you'll then be into mechanical braking + regen. If the car detects a panic stop, ie high rate of change of brake pedal sensor and high deceleration detected by the g-sensor, it will apply both, faster than you can perceive what's going on.

Even in sport mode, you won't see the regen portion of the gauge, but the system works the same; prioritize regen in non emergency situations. Up to you on how you want to drive.