When Should you use B mode in a Honda Jazz Hybrid?
Firstly the B (Brake) mode is designed first and foremost to be used the same way you would downshift to a lower gear in a conventional manual transmission and using the engine overrun braking to cause a drag force and thus slow the car.
The use of engine-brake/overrun in a vehicle is primarily a form of braking control to enhance drive-ability/stability, and assist the vehicle brakes in a long down hill run. Indeed in a snow situation the use of engine braking is key to assisting control by keeping the wheels rolling rather than using the brakes and locking up the wheels.
The Jazz Hybrid B mode does not actually change any gears, because there aren’t any, but rather it simulates the act of down shifting a manual car by increasing the overrun drag energy by using the brake-to-drive-battery re-generation system at a higher level than what occurs in the D (Drive) mode.
I fully understand that harvesting as much energy as possible is a good thing, but focusing on that aspect of B mode is missing the point I think. For me, I just consider it a bonus when using B mode for the reasons I stated earlier. When I need braking over a long period (long downhill) I just flick it back to B and when not required I flick it back to D. I use it to control the car firstly, and secondly just recognise the benefits of harvesting otherwise wasted energy.
I am not sure using the B mode for normal driving is a good thing because I suspect keeping the drive-battery above normal use charge levels is not a good thing. I say that because keeping a cellphone or laptop battery 100% charged all the time is allegedly not a good thing either. I just let the computer/algorithm keep the drive-battery charge where the designers have figured is best.
The Sport Advance I have also has “flappy paddles” braking mode as well as the B shift just to complicate things. They do what the B mode does but in four increments going up and down between normal D mode braking level to B mode braking level. I can select a finer level of braking to suit the slope I am going down, or should I ever be on a race track (unlikely) I can keep my hands on the wheel at all times.
I have read it is done more for the Asian market – it is highly regarded apparently. But for me it is a novelty with some minor benefit that I use occasionally.
The “flappy paddles” come with a Sport selection as well as Normal and Eco. This seems to make the throttle very sensitive and keeps the drive-battery at a higher level of charge so when you want to get going the battery has a load of energy and off you go like a scalded cat. It doesn’t seem to actually reduce the 0-60 time but just makes the car very lively, and nimble off the start line. It is a lot of fun when a Boy-Corsa pulls up at the lights next to you.
