PriusLock - the Prius Auto Door Lock module

As someone who really hates to tear apart his own car, I'd be curious to see what the installation process is before purchasing. Could you post the instructions?

 

Here are the instructions. It's really simple. Just remove the upper dashboard where the power button is and the driver left left side panel next to parking brake.

-Chad

 

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Great product!!!


I totally agree it should:

* Also lock at a low MPH (for the letting someone out but not powering down/up scenario)

*cost less than $70 (more like $49)
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thats nice! nice intructions! ok good product but still i want both low speed and power button

 

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Chadster,
If you add the low mph feature and drop the price, you'll have a hit!

That would be a great demonstration you're listening to PC customers, and a big loyalty boost for future products!

Only reason I (and a bunch on PC) go to CoastalTech is they don't have competition with better customer service. That could be you!?

Just my opinions. I'm immediately on the purchase list if you agree.
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Isn't there a safetyrisk?
If you're in an accident, the doors can't be opened from the outside (at least, not quick).
It would i.m.o. be better if the doors unlock above a certain speed (eg 20 mi/hr) and lock at speeds below that.

 

I think most would agree that having it lock at a certain speed (or even when it's put into drive or reverse) would be ideal. I'm sure this adds to the complexity exponentially as now the module will have to integrate into the vehicles computer. I for one would be annoyed if the vehicle locked as soon as the power was turned on as there are times when I get in the car before and turn on the car before my passengers get in. Case in point:

I have a soon to be 5 year old and a 3 year old. My 5yo sits behind the drivers seat, and my 3yo sits behind the passenger seat. I live in Arizona where it's hot as hell... actually, probably hotter than hell. My son gets in by himself and fastens his own seat belt (on his booster seat). I then get in and start the car to get the A/C going. My wife is usually still outside the car strapping my 3yo in. After finishing, she'll open the passenger door and get in. It sounds like in this case I'd have to unlock the door for my wife to get in? If this is the case, that's a bit silly.

Mike

 

Awesome idea, except, when you crash, your vehicle rate of speed drops from unlock to lock.
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That's a very good point. I think all problems could be solved if the device locked when shifting to D or R, or better yet, at 1mph for us EV users!
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More like $20 and I would buy 2.

 

Ultimately you have to decide if it is worth the price of admission. It was designed with safety in mind and I decided it would be worth a try to bring to mass market. It is priced comparably to other competing products.

 

I really like this idea but wonder how hard it would be for me to install it.

 

Honestly, it really isn't difficult. My instructions are really detailed (I've even posted them on this thread for people to evaluate) The area that you are patching the wires into is easy to see and access. My number is posted in the instructions if you purchase the PriusLock and I am happy to talk anyone through the installation if the need arises.

-Chad

 

lost my vote.
Not functional in the most useful way(especially safety [imo]), and too expensive for what it does do.
Forget about comparable price. Earn a base first!
With these kinds of skills, you've got a juicy market at your reach! You got some beta feedback on this idea, but not interested in extra business (possibly)?
You post links back to this thread like you are.
Anyway. Best luck. Cool product no matter what!
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Chad,

My wife's Highlander auto locks and unlocks on shut down. She and I both put things into the rear seats (her purse, my briefcase) and need to retrieve them when we reach our destination. I had programmed the doors so that all of them open when using the door handle sensors. I bought your mod and installed it. It works as advertised but now I have to hit the door unlock button on exiting so we can grab our gear from the back seats. I'm not sure I'm going to keep your autolock on as this is very inconvenient. I wish I had seen this thread before I purchased it.

 

Actually that is how mine works now and I do not have the Prius lock yet. If all the doors are locked the only way to unlock them is to use the unlock button on the driver's side or pull open the passenger or hatchback handle. It doesn't open by using either passenger handle from the outside. Was it easy to install?

 

I ordered this product and received it fairly quick (3 days). The directions are really simple and it took about 15 min to install and it works as advertsed. Nice work chadster although a little cheaper would have been nice I understand your hand making these and that costs a bit more but the quality and CUSTOMER SERVICE is worth it. Anyone who has dealt with the other supplier knows what I mean.

 

I am sorry that you are disappointed in the PriusLock. It was designed for the initial safety aspect of getting in the car and having the doors auto-lock. While there are numerous ways to design it, I decided that the basic way was the easiest way to do it and to have other options would not have been cost-effective.

-Chad

 

I've been following this thread to see if this would really benefit me. I helped another prius owner actually install one of these and it was a very easy job. It works the way it's supposed to.

Imagine my surprise when I was googling for prius auto lock and came across this: www.evnut.com/prius_auto_lock.htm

This is identical to what is being sold here, even the instructions for installation are pretty much the same. It cost the author < $35.00 and he had parts left over.

I would say that if you are handy with a soldering iron and can follow a schematic, this would be the way to go. If not, then drop the extra cash and get it from Chad.

 

Hi hybridharry,
The PriusLock is an evolution of that design. The benefit of my design is that for the electronics safety of the car I incorporated 1amp fuses into the circuit path of the power channels that will protect the car if there happen to be any shorting/power issues. Also, the entire unit is contained in a printed manufactured circuit board so the circuit path is protected and not exposed by wires or solder.
-Chad