Turn On The Electric??

Help/Advice??? Given that it appears that the ability to "turn on the electric motor only" feature is available on Prius's outside the USA and, as a new owner, I've wanted to have this ability for short trips around my small coastal town here on the Maine coast. I found, by chance, the:

Coastaltech (2006PRIUSEV) TURN ON THE ELECTRIC MODE IN YOUR 2004-2008 PRIUS - $45.00

and have ordered same... Understanding that folks can't 'advise' against Toyota's company policies... I would appreciate any advice or warnings relative to installing this feature??? (With a ScanGauge II to track battery state, I'm aware that I've got to watch this carefully. However, my winter "driving habits" essentially see me making a 3 or 4 mile trip around Town at low speeds once or twice daily and then, at least twice a week, a 50 mile r/t run to Ellsworth on coastal Rt. 1 (speeds 40 to 60 mph). I'm presuming that with electric-only around Town, and gas/electric on the longer run, that I will be able to keep the batteries in balance...?) With careful attention and a lite foot I can usually keep her on electric most of the time in Town. However, as I'm sure so many know, it is visually 'distracting' (at age 67) and I'm worried about rear-ending someone on my in-town jaunts....! I'd just like to be able to "turn off the gas engine" when it's 'safe & logical' and I choose to... This add-on seems to fit the bill but I'm old enough to realize I may be committing some sort of disaster or voiding my warrantee(s).... —And/or the unit is not as advertised.... Any advice/experience would be appreciated before I install it. Thanks, Wes Shaw at the 'end of the world' in Winter Harbor, Maine.

 

Thanks Evan and Jim..... I've gone to the thread Evan suggested and wish I'd read it before I ordered the unit.... With 24 boats and all associated electronics, I'm oh so familiar with NiCad battery technique with it's "all the way down and, then, all the way up cycle" to prolong the life truism.... From the thread, the 40/80% limit makes sense though. Also, I was unaware of the "only a mile or so" thing....! I'm old enough to have learned not to try and re-invent the wheel.... I'm just sending the device back when UPS delivers it on Monday. Thanks again for saving me $45 and, perhaps, a lot of future grief & frustration... Guess I'm beginning to understand why so many are waiting for the 2010 (?±) model with the plug-in and new batteries.... ( : >) Wes PS-- I'm still waiting for my ScanGauge II from the Prius Shop and trust I've made a wise decision on that one.....

 

Now Evan, you're an ER physician and 'have' to take a literal approach to these things.... You've got to remember that Doc Willie is a psychiatrist and, as a retired psychologist, I must remind you that in my 67 years' experience, 'most' psychiatrists see a level plane as a "downhill" task to be addressed by years of inexpensive therapy and free meds!!! (Also, I believe the media reported that water does run uphill, on occasion, in 'norleans...?) Lastly, why can I find no orthopedes (poor as churchmice, for the most part...) on this site? Could it be that they have no time, time, time as do the rest of us?! ( :>) Dr. Wes

 

Dear Grumpy old moderator.... Ooooops, have been wondering who to ask— and looking at your post(s) it suddenly hit me that you'd be the one.... How the devil can I add my modest little green/orange GreenHybrid mileage thing(?) to my posts?? (I see yours, and others', posted and can't wait to share the news when I finally learn a bit more and start getting 70+ pmg aves. ( :>) ...) It's probably pretty obvious but you've got to realize that I'm 67 after a lifetime of 16/7 days, pretty worn out, and I do have Pick's Disease with the damnably associated dementia.... Thanks, in advance, for your advice! Wes (with tongue, as usual, in cheek...)

 

Pardon Ichabod, but I think the Aussies taught us why back during one of those wars......? Plus, I think I've read that down there at the bottom of the world all the land is flat with ostriches standing beside the road in hard-baked sand and little bears up in fig trees??? Up here on the eastern Maine coast all the roads—and life, for that matter—are an endless gas-consuming up and down! Plus our batteries are weaker in the moisture-laden salt air grounding environment.... Wes