Review: Toyota C-HR Gear B

Introduction:

Normally, those who drive an automatic transmission car use the D gear on flat roads, downhill, and uphill. The D gear is a joker that makes driving easier since there's no need to shift gears.

What's new from Toyota on the C-HR?

In the automatic transmission, after the D gear, there is a notch that leads to the B gear, a novelty (this gear is also present on other recent Toyota hybrids).

Advantages of the B Gear:

1 - Rapid Battery Charging

This gear charges the battery faster because it engages a set of reduction gears that increase the current input to the battery, resulting in faster charging under two conditions: when the car is launched and when it is descending. However, it is important to engage it only in these two conditions because, being a reduction gear, it slows down the car when launched and slows it down on descents. If this gear is left in during normal driving conditions, such as in urban traffic, on highways, or in parking, the B gear increases fuel consumption because the reduction gears brake the car and, to achieve the same speed, you must push on the accelerator, resulting in higher consumption.

2 - Brake on Descents

You will surely have noticed, driving an automatic transmission car downhill, that, unlike manual transmission cars, it is not possible to reduce speed by engaging lower gears because, obviously, they do not exist. All you can do to reduce speed is to continuously use the brakes. It is clear that this type of driving results in higher consumption of brake pads compared to cars with traditional transmissions. To overcome this inconvenience, Toyota has added the B gear on the C-HR, which by activating the reduction gears reduces the car's speed.

If you observe the battery icon on the display with its green stripes indicating the current charging state, you will notice that when the battery reaches the state of maximum charge with the green stripes occupying the entire rectangle, the engine noise increases. This happens because the engine's RPM increases. It's as if, in manual transmission cars, a lower gear was engaged. The result is the same: the car decreases speed with less use of the brake and the engine's RPM increase.

3 - Savings on Brake Consumption

From the above, it follows that by reducing speed with the B gear, the brakes will work much less and this driving style will lead to less wear on the brake pads and thus a saving on the operating cost of the car.

Disadvantages:

1 - Higher fuel consumption if the B gear remains engaged in normal driving conditions, such as in urban traffic, on highways, or in parking.

2 - With the B gear engaged, it is not possible to use the radar and all its applications, for example, Cruise Control (speed control), IPA (Intelligent Parking).

3 - Noticeably more pronounced and somewhat annoying noise on descents when the battery is fully charged, but this noise can serve as a warning. Therefore, it can be a point in favor.

Conclusion

The advantages are so superior to the disadvantages that any further consideration is unnecessary. The B gear is a great aid to driving, safety, and cost reduction, as the more you use it, the more you save, but be careful not to forget it engaged in normal driving.

Also read the complete review with everything that has happened starting from 2017 to our days:

"Toyota C-HR Hybrid. Review. Goods, faults and solutions!"

Toyota C-HR. The tire pressure light blinking

The tire pressure light turns on when the pressure is insufficient. But when the light flashes for 1 minute and then stays on, sadly means that the RF transmitter has a fault and needs to be substituted.

Every tire has a Wi-Fi transmitter. It is called TPMS. It costs about $200.

Normally this is a failure.

Exception:

If you changed the tires and your mechanic forgot to reset the ECU.

A TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor is a device installed in the wheel of a vehicle to constantly monitor the air pressure inside the tires. It sends real-time tire pressure information to the vehicle's computer system or directly to the driver via a dashboard indicator or a warning light. This system is crucial for maintaining proper tire pressure, which can lead to improved vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, and extended tire life.

There are two main types of TPMS sensors:

Direct TPMS 

These sensors are mounted inside the tire and measure the actual air pressure in each tire. They send this information to the vehicle’s computer system. Direct TPMS provides accurate and real-time tire pressure data. Each sensor is battery-powered, and the batteries typically last 5 to 10 years. When the battery dies, the entire sensor usually needs to be replaced.

Indirect TPMS

 Instead of measuring the tire pressure directly, indirect TPMS systems use the vehicle's antilock braking system (ABS) sensors to monitor the speed of each wheel. The system infers pressure changes from variations in wheel speed; for example, an under-inflated tire will rotate faster than a properly inflated one. Indirect TPMS is less expensive than direct TPMS but may not be as accurate because it doesn't measure the pressure directly.

Transmission

TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensors typically transmit data at radio frequencies (RF) in the 315 MHz or 433 MHz bands. The specific frequency can vary depending on the region and the specific vehicle make and model.

In the United States, the most common frequency used by TPMS sensors is 315 MHz.

In Europe and other parts of the world, 433 MHz is more commonly used.

These frequencies allow the TPMS sensors to communicate wirelessly with the vehicle's onboard computer system or receiver. The transmission of data is not continuous but occurs at regular intervals or when a significant change in tire pressure is detected. Some systems may also transmit data when the vehicle starts or at specific speeds.

The choice of frequency ensures that the TPMS system operates effectively without interfering with other vehicle electronic systems or external devices. It's important for replacement sensors to be compatible with the vehicle's specific TPMS frequency to ensure accurate communication and functionality.

Benefits of TPMS

Safety. Properly inflated tires are less likely to fail at high speeds.

Economy. Tires at the correct pressure level offer better fuel efficiency.

Environment. Optimizing tire pressure helps reduce tire wear, leading to fewer tires being discarded.

Performance. Proper tire pressure ensures better vehicle handling and braking efficiency.

Maintenance and Replacement

For direct TPMS, sensors may need to be replaced when the battery dies or if the sensor is damaged. Sensor reprogramming or recalibration may be required when tires are rotated, replaced, or when purchasing a new sensor.

Indirect TPMS systems generally require less maintenance but may need recalibration following tire rotation, tire replacement, or changes in tire pressure.

It's important to regularly check your vehicle's tire pressure, even if it's equipped with TPMS, to ensure your tires are properly inflated and to maintain safety and efficiency on the road.

C-HR Hybrid - Toyota C-HR Hybrid. Review. Goods, faults and solutions!

The best review I have read so far is the one a user has written on Tiiips in blog form, which starts from the date of purchase and continues over the years with a chronicle of the problems but also the positives, which, for this car, are indeed many.

I read about reliability, consumption, pros and cons. I fully agree. I too have had the C-HR for a few years now and have experienced some errors in the display, but the driving is very pleasant.

If you drive in the city and on the flat under or at 50 km/h there is a noticeable saving, but if you mainly drive on the motorway at 130 km/h the hybrid makes no sense.

C-HR Hybrid - Toyota C-HR Hybrid. Review. Goods, faults and solutions!

Toyota C-HR, EPB or BSM error

When an EPB error appears on the dashboard of the Toyota C-HR, the car is blocked, power steering does not work, the car will not start.

Message: EPB shift interlock function activated

It is a rather rare error and, generally, after this message, other messages appear in sequence:

BSM not available

EPB not available

and also EPB shift interlock function deactivated

First attempts to turn the power off and on again usually do not produce any results.

Getting out of the car, closing the car, getting back in the car and trying to start the car again do not give any results either.

Solution?

• Pull and release the automatic brake a couple of times
• Get out of the car. Wait 5 minutes.
• Try to start again.
  
  

Check that the key has a charged battery (you may have received the message a few days earlier: key/remote control  battery to be replaced).

This error occurs when you leave the car idle for a long time and the auxiliary battery, not the main battery, is discharged, as it is smaller and less powerful.

Check the auxiliary battery from a Toyota Service Centre.

Also read the full review with all the weird stuff from 2017:

Toyota C-HR Hybrid. Review. Goods, faults and solutions!

Did this mistake make you angry? Relax with this video...

Toyota C-HR Replace remote control battery

When the battery of the Toyota C-HR key/remote control is low, a message on the cockpit display warns.

It is a good idea to change it immediately because there is a risk of having to use the mechanical key to get into the car.

Take a CR2032 battery

The procedure is very simple:

• Place the key/remote control with the "Toyota C-HR" label on top.
• Slide the lever (to the right of the ring) to the right and simultaneously pull the ring.

• Pull out the mechanical key.

• Use the mechanical key to lift the upper part of the key/remote control.
• Replace the battery type CR2032

Done!

Also read the full review with all the weird stuff from 2017 up to present day:

Toyota C-HR Hybrid. Review. Goods, faults and solutions!

If you have successfully changed the battery, relax with a short relaxing video

Toyota C-HR PCS error

The pre-collision system (PCS) uses a camera and laser sensors to detect the presence of vehicles in front of the car and helps to avoid or reduce the amount of collisions.

The PCS malfunction indicator light indicates that the PCS sensor is probably dirty.

The sensor is located behind the Toyota emblem at the front of the C-HR.

Solution. Clean the sensor with a damp cloth.

Warning. After cleaning the emblem, the system generally takes 5 to 7 days to restore the information. So if you are in hurry go to Toyota service, otherwise wait.

Also read the full review with everything that happened to me with the Toyota C-HR and starting in 2017 up to the present day:

Toyota C-HR Hybrid. Review. Goods, faults and solutions!

Toyota C-HR: the display does not light up. 

Sometimes when I start the Toyota C-HR the display does not light up.

It's happened to me several times before.

Solution: Simply engage reverse gear and the defect disappears.

I'll take the car to Service to clear up the mystery.

Service replied that it is a random error that can happen, but that it does not cause any problems. Just switch off the ignition and switch it on again.

Also read the full review with all the weird stuff from 2017 up to the present day.

Toyota C-HR Hybrid. Review. Goods, faults and solutions!