So normal cars have lower gears and Prii and some other toyota hybrids have a "B" selector on the gearshift.

What is the equivelant on the 300h? What should I do when I'm going down a mountain so as to avoid burning up my brakes?

The manual doesn't say anything about this as far as I can tell.

Thanks

 

Just move the shifter to the S position, each tap then lowers one ratio. manual: "You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force."

With the hybrid, you'll be getting some braking from the electric motor running in generator mode (needle moves into the Charge sector), so you may not need any additional braking.

 

So is everyone using sport mode's virtual gears what everyone is doing or just not bothering with the concept of engine braking and just letting the hybrid system do its thing?

 

I find that my radar cruise control will handle most highway hills within one mph, up or down, even pretty serious ones. But, if seriously steep, such as the well-known ones in San Francisco, I don't select Sport with the ****, but pull the shift selector inboard and pull back one gear selection at a time and you can feel the deceleration braking effect of the re-generation. Otherwise, the speed will just run away. It gives a more secure feeling and requires much less braking to control descent speed.