If you have looked closely at your gear shift, you may have noticed a letter you do not recognize: B. While most drivers are familiar with P for Park, R for Reverse, N for Neutral, and D for Drive, not every gear selector is exactly the same. Some vehicles, particularly hybrids, include additional settings such as B, which serves a specific purpose.

In automatic cars, the transmission changes gears for you, although some vehicles allow you to select lower gears manually using settings such as L, D1, D2, or D3. The B setting, however, is different from a traditional low gear. According to Toyota, which offers this feature in some hybrid models, B stands for Brake or Engine Braking mode. When activated, it increases regenerative braking, helping slow the vehicle while also sending energy back to the hybrid battery.

The B mode can also help reduce unnecessary wear on the brake pads and recover energy that would otherwise be lost while slowing down. Honda recommends using it in situations such as stop-and-go traffic or when driving downhill, because it increases the deceleration effect when you lift your foot from the accelerator. This can reduce the need to press the brake pedal as frequently.

Toyota also says B mode may provide additional control and braking assistance when driving downhill while towing a load, if the vehicle is designed for towing. However, it is generally not intended for everyday driving. Using it constantly can make a hybrid slightly less fuel-efficient because it prioritizes engine braking instead of allowing the vehicle to coast freely. For normal driving, D is usually the appropriate setting, while B is best reserved for situations where extra deceleration is useful.