Just wondering for those with hybrid CR-Vs, do you prefer to drive with the shifter in B Mode (regenerative) or do you stay in Drive and just use the paddles when needing to slow down?
Is there any pro or con to either?
It’s situational for me. Normal driving I’ll just use the paddles; it’s also better for highway as B doesn’t allow cruise control. Stop and go traffic I’ll shift to B so that I don’t have to keep clicking it down. Regenerative braking isn’t as strong as single-pedal driving, but it’s still easier on your brakes. The only downside is if you or your passenger(s) are sensitive to motion, it can really be triggering for motion sickness.
@Milo
This is exactly what I do. I make it a goal to use my brakes as little as possible and rely mainly on paddles. B mode only in stop and go. Get between 38-43 MPG.
I use the paddles and my assumption, from what I’ve read, is by using it, not only does it charge the battery, but also reduces brake usage/wear. From what I understand, it’s using the electric motors to slow you down, not the brakes. I have been curious though, when paddles are activated and the car slows down - are my brake lights on?
@Cypress
Using the regenerative braking does not engage the brakes, thus the brake lights do not activate. The adaptive cruise control does use braking to slow the car, and so the brake lights would activate.
@Valen
I don’t have a CR-V but wouldn’t it be safer for everyone if the brake lights did come on during regen and not applying the actual brake since I’m assuming it is slowing the car down faster than natural slowing of lifting your foot off the gas? People behind wouldn’t expect the car to slow with no lights since regular non-hybrids generally coast and don’t slow up as much?
@Shiloh
That’s sound logic. The regenerative braking doesn’t immediately slow the car down like slamming on the brakes; it is a little more gradual. But I do wonder if people behind me might think that my brake lights are all out lol.
@Valen
This is exactly why I almost never use the paddles unless I’m going down a long hill or something. I prefer to just coast and use my brake lightly.
@Cypress
No, I tested it out by looking behind me in the dark and I didn’t see it light up.
@Cypress
I’ve been wondering the same thing. Also, when using adaptive cruise control and my car has to slow down 1mph or 2mph.
Andi said:
@Cypress
I’ve been wondering the same thing. Also, when using adaptive cruise control and my car has to slow down 1mph or 2mph.
For adaptive cruise, my assumption is it doesn’t show the brake lights unless it’s decided it needs to actually brake (if you’re going 100 and the car in front of you is driving 70). But that’s definitely an assumption on my part.
@Cypress
I hope not. Otherwise, people behind me would think I’m having a seizure.
Andi said:
@Cypress
I hope not. Otherwise, people behind me would think I’m having a seizure.
Or some eccentric Morse code enthusiast, frantically tapping away, trying to send a cryptic message.
Can someone explain the paddles and B mode like I’m 5? 
Ren said:
Can someone explain the paddles and B mode like I’m 5?
“B mode” is another selection of Drive that lets the car enter regenerative mode when you let off the accelerator. When you brake or let off the accelerator, the kinetic energy of the car coasting is transferred as electric energy back to the hybrid batteries.
The paddles adjust how intense this feature is. One arrow is very light, 4 arrows is very hard. When the car is in D (Drive), you still have some regenerative capabilities when braking and letting off the accelerator, just not as hard as when you are in B mode. While in drive, you can select the paddles to engage the severity of regenerative mode temporarily.
I use the paddles because it’s fun. I’d imagine I’m an F1 driver downshifting into a slow corner… satisfies the kid in me.
Tried comparing B mode to D mode. No significant difference. The battery is too small for it to matter.
It’s best for driving downhill. However, if I’m traveling downhill a very long distance, the small battery would already be full so prolonging the B mode doesn’t add additional capacity.
In the end, I just defaulted to D mode.
In my experience, there is no difference between paddles, B, or just using the brakes. The regen level is the same.
I prefer just using the brake as it is blended beautifully and should I need to apply it forcefully I already have my foot on the brake.
The paddles are a novelty that is more of a toy feature that some prefer. Some like B. Overall the regen is the same. Just what you find amusing/comfortable.
@Clove
Disagree, I notice superior regen (in terms of the battery filling up higher) when I effectively use the paddles.
I also like how there is reduced wear&tear on the brake components.
But if they feel like a toy to you, that’s understandable to not like it.
@Beckett
The brake pedal uses regen and uses the physical pads at the limits. So under light braking, you are just using a pedal instead of paddles to do the same thing. The paddles can never activate the physical brakes.
I would add that you can see the level of regen on the power scale in the instrument panel. It shows identical levels of regen whether it is by B, paddles, or the brake pedal.