We recently ditched our 1998 Land Cruiser for a 2010 Highlander Hybrid – We live in the mountains and I am regularly going up and down passes. In my land cruiser, I had the option of gearing down…now, I have this B mode on the transmission column. I’ve used it as I would in my old car, but I hate the sound it makes as it slows the engine down…Although the engine doesn’t get hotter, it sure sounds like the engine is revving too high for comfort!! So, I recently discovered, as I descend in B, if I ride the accelerator pedal, it actual decreases the engine noise, yet still slows the car. And the gas engine never engages (Without my foot on the accelerator, the engine tends to slow too much…)

Has anyone else used the accelerator in conjunction with the B mode? I called the dealership and they had no answers for me…I’ve looked in the manual to no avail…I even sent an inquiry to Toyota.com and they simply said that the B does not over-rev the engine. However, they never addressed my use of the accelerator when in B mode…ANYONE? I would love to know if I’m doing it right as we are in the middle of winter and we’ve had some lovely icy / snowy roads lately…

Thanks in advance for your help…:)