I just had a simple question about using EV Mode for the US prius. When you switch to EV mode, how do you know besides you made it go in EV mode? does something appear on the MFD, you get a light, does the car talk?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheParadox @ Jun 28 2006, 05:13 PM) [snapback]278222[/snapback]</div> It beeps once and the screen changes to the Energy screen (the one with the battery level and such). If it's already on the Energy screen, then just one beep. If the conditions aren't right for forced EV, then three beeps. According to the '06 owners you also get a message on the screen that says EV not possible (2006 only), as well as the three beeps when forced EV conditions aren't right. Cheers, Curt.
I have 06 and when I go into EV mode, I don't hear any beep. If the conditions are not right, the MFD display a message that it can not and I hear 3 beeps. Anyone with 06 experience the same or something is not correct with my install? BTW, I just used non-OEM button and wire following efusco guide. Dennis
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Jun 28 2006, 04:47 PM) [snapback]278304[/snapback]</div> Yes, same with me. NO BEEPS unless it can not go into EV (and then it gives a message on the MFD). The best way to know that you went into EV is to change to the Consumption screen (or any screen except the Energy screen). When you enter EV mode it changes to the Energy screen (although occasionally this does not happen...can't figure out why).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 29 2006, 03:18 AM) [snapback]278483[/snapback]</div> The EV light is not on the dash. I looked.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jdjeep98 @ Jun 29 2006, 05:18 AM) [snapback]278496[/snapback]</div> I think you'll need the OEM EV switch with 3 wires to get the icon on the dash then. If other 06 owners are experiencing the same thing as me, I guess my install was good. I can live with my custom button. Dennis
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jdjeep98 @ Jun 29 2006, 02:18 AM) [snapback]278496[/snapback]</div> We don't have it illuminate when we do our EV mod but next time it's sunny, have the sun shine through the driver's side window (works if it's sunrise/sunset). You'll see the word "EV" and a leaf car roughly where the parking brake light is and the left indicator. (it's to the left of the speedo)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 30 2006, 12:26 AM) [snapback]278964[/snapback]</div> This is really funky, but on my 06, the virtual wheels on my energy screen turn one click backwards when I activate EV mode. I have no idea why, but they do. No beeb at all. It will also switch to the energy screen if I am not already at it.
Is it possible that there's a different set of dash lights for Canada as for the U.S.? Keep in mind, everyone, that Tideland, though extremely knowledgeable, is still Canadian. Personally, when I press the EV button Priapus mutes the stereo and says, "EV mode is now engaged; maximum speed is 34 miles per hour. Party on Garth." I just thought they all did that.
To all using Ev Mode, I have been going through the various EV Mode previous discussions, and am now seriously interested in purchasing the Ev Mode from Coastal E Tech, I just wanted to ask if you all folks feel it is worth it in all. Funny question, but just wanted to get in a last opinion before I order. Thanks in Advance
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jun 30 2006, 10:03 AM) [snapback]279066[/snapback]</div> I looked really good on mine with a flashlight and seen everything but EV. Would that little section be easy to replace with a Euro version or some other right handed country with EV? Just wondering because from looking at the Euro tech docs and the US docs it looks more like a plug and play type area. Sort of like the EV button its self. It my not be there but if you had the right stuff you can get it to work. Of course there could be different adapter back there for different countrys also. If I could get that part and the price is right I would be willing to test that out. I love working and expermenting on this car because i'm more at home with it than a regular car. Thats because I love working on computers and this car is more like a computer than an actual car. In fact this is the only car I have ever really worked on, washed and took care of.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prakash @ Jun 30 2006, 07:10 AM) [snapback]279069[/snapback]</div> I have that and it's very quick to install. It may be the easiest to install. That's one of the reasons I got that type, my skills a patience were better suited for that. If I had my druthers, I'd have the OEM version; and if not that, the headlight flasher method. Is it worth it? Well, as a geek factor it's great, but that's me. I don't use it all that often, just to move around a large parking lot or to get out of the garage. Others use it on a regular basis during commute so they really like it. Used correctly you can save mileage, but abused you can lose mileage. Remember, the battery is recharged by the ICE, which will have to run longer to get the battery back up.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prakash @ Jun 30 2006, 09:10 AM) [snapback]279069[/snapback]</div> I suggest you do the free ev mod yourself and then if you like it you can send Coastal your money, or you could spend it on an ev button. The free ev flasher mod I did on my 06 works great. I may just buy an ev button for myself.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jun 30 2006, 01:46 PM) [snapback]279333[/snapback]</div> Cheap -- Hello out there... I am new to the prius platform -- it's really exciting!! I noticed that you mentioned a "free" ev flasher mod. Can you please point me to the instructions? Also, the instructions that turn off the backup "beep". Thanks, Skinny...
I will confirm that for the '06 there is no beep when going into EV mode as others have mentioned. I'll also confirm that the Canada and US dash is different. There is no EV indicator in the US. Here is what the EV indicator looks like in Canada. Our indicators are arranged differently, and there is no little green car. The backup beep disable instructions are here: http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_beeper_disable.htm And the various EV mode techniques are linked from here: http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_ev_mode.htm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skinny @ Jul 1 2006, 01:17 AM) [snapback]279565[/snapback]</div> The free ev mod I found on this forum a while ago on the web but when I was faced with buying a car I never thought my wife and I would be able to afford a prius. I put all the factors in a spread sheet and found we not only could afford it, but it was the best value for us. We then went to test drive one, of course it was a top of the line package 8, that had just hit the lot about two hours before i got there. I never gave the key back and I have never before experience this.... I have not had a day where I had to drive somewhere that I have not looked forward to driving my Prius. I love driving it. When I was ready to add the EV mod I found the instructions again on darelldd's web site and on the web again. It only took me 30 min to do the mod. 1. Read this. http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf 2. Then re-read page 19 "Headlight Flasher EV" 3. Go get a 22 gage white or purple wire. I soldered my wire to the two pins and used a wire hanger to pull the wire behind the dash in a few seconds. 4. During install I did not need to take any AC Vent Covers off. I just removed the bottom glove box and installed the pin from there. Let us know if you decide to do this and how it went. Also, I will confirm there is no beep going into EV mode on my 06, but I do have three beeps when it jumps out of EV mod when I accelerate too fast, go to fast, or my battery power gets too low. I don't know if this is a side affect of my disabling the reverse beep.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jun 30 2006, 04:46 PM) [snapback]279333[/snapback]</div> Free Ev mod? I have not heard of this, is this the instructions you provided in the previous post? have a nice day
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prakash @ Jul 1 2006, 09:38 AM) [snapback]279656[/snapback]</div> Yes that is a the link, or you can google it. If you have to buy five feet of 22 gauge wire you may have to spend up to $1.00 and then it would not be "free." However, it still only takes about 30 min to do.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jul 1 2006, 08:25 PM) [snapback]279934[/snapback]</div> I read through the calcars.org document and could not determine if the picture and procedure applied to the 2006 model year. Have you performed the mod on your 2006 vehicle? If so, which process did you use? Thanks again for taking the time to edcucate me...