Anyone tried this shift light so we know if we pass EV which is ECO that activates gas engine, this is helpful on city driving so we can release the gas pedal(ECO) if we see the red light to stay on electric(EV) and not use gas??? If anyone has info on how to install it please share, I know my idea sounds crazy, but hope it make sense and it can be done? Adjustable RPM Tacho Tachometer Silver Aluminum Tube Red Shift Light 4 6 8 Cyl | eBay
First this would be a deal breaker for me: Installation Instruction is NOT Included Second, you ARE aware that EV mode is often not the most fuel efficient mode, right? Depleting and recharging the battery is not very fuel efficient. You could wire it to any thing that goes ON when the engine is running, as it always runs at 992 RPM or higher. A scangauge II or Torque will be better options unless you want the cosmetics. ScanGauge II ODB Scan Tool + Digital Gauges + Trip Computers - PriusChat Shop Torque Pro (OBD 2 & Car) - Android Apps on Google Play
I am not talking about EV mode MODE, I know it sounded a little unclear, but my purpose of having the shift light ON is when the RPM on the panel goes above EV which activates the gas engine(ECO), and simple releasing the gas pedal will go back to electric(EV) and shut off the gas engine. So the Shift light purpose is so that I don't have to constantly check the Panel to see if I pass EV and goes to Eco which activates the gas engine.
Since the car does have the EV light that does exactly that on the MFD, I'm assuming you want to mount it somewhere where it is more easily visible. I could see some value in that, but I would rather have an actual tach where you could see the RPMs to see how hard you are really pushing the engine during acceleration also. Jimbo was also talking about EV in the same context you were I think. If you accelerate with battery only to speed and it takes you like 45 seconds, it actually probably burns more energy with the ICE having to replenish the battery at a loss while driving and not just under braking because you used so much of the charge up to do that instead of just letting the ICE do it in 10 seconds. The battery is a lot better at acclerating to 10 mph when you are moving a short distance, like creeping forward at a stop light, or just maintaining your speed (glide), than it is fully accelerating the car IMO.
I In my area here in san francisco, I can not deplete the battery due to a lot of steep downhill which can easily full charge the battery and I can barely half the battery charge, that is why I have this idea because I see myself looking at the panel most of the time and I think this will help me not looking at it that much because bicyclist here not all but most off them 80% probably doesn't follow the rules, they beat red light, own the pedestrian lane and such that is why you have to be crazy careful if you drive here, and I drive minimum 70miles everyday in san francisco so the more you drive the more chance you will get into an accident even if it is not your fault, I think every week I see a bicyclist and an ambulance on the street which is sad. Having said that, can I use a tachometer with shift light too and if I can, any link of guide on how to install it?
Ah yes the SF hills. I live in Texas where it's really flat but from what I have heard and pictures I have seen you could prob regen the whole battery in one or two! It's hard to find one that doesn't just recommend the scan gauge because it's so flexible and all you do to install it is plug it into the OBD port. I would like a scangauge myself to monitor hybrid things, like battery temp, as well as rpm. But your specific situation is wanting to maximize visibility to avoid suicide bicycles and you don't want to spend any time staring at numbers. I think that is admirable. Here is a tach install thread I have found. It is for a gen 2 but I bet it still works. vroom goes the Prius | PriusChat
At the risk of going off on a tangent, there seems to be a real-world "yes, but" here. Yes, using the ICE to accelerate is more efficient, but since it is associated with faster acceleration you can end up wasting more energy if you have to stop unexpectedly. Trying to stay in EV mode can be more efficient if it causes you to drive slower and use the brakes less than you would on the gas engine.
That is true. I always hate when I accelerate fairly hard and a light turns red on me right after or something. Plus in the OP situation with massive regen opportunities and fast acceleration rewarded by collisions with unaware bicycles I am starting to think he's got the right approach this time
