Coastal EV installed!

I am keen to find out the answers to your questions. I am toying with the idea of ordering the OEM EV button from japanparts.com and installing it.

So far, I have only seen threads explaining that you can go into EV mode in the 1st 7 seconds after you power up the car and I am trying to determine if it is worth adding the EV button.

My commute goes like this: I have about 3 miles from my house to the freeway where I think getting into EV mode would be fine when I leave for work in the morning. I then have about 10 miles of freeway, followed by a few miles of relatively flat and unencumbered 30-35 mph hour driving in which I can easily run without the ICE kicking in. The last leg of my commute is approximately 2-3 miles of crosstown stop and go where i usually see my mileage drop by ~0.4 mpg.

It is that last leg of my commute that I would really like to be able to go into EV mode. As your post states, I am worried that EV mode will not engage for the portion of the commute that I feel I would want it the most.

Is this a misconception on my part?

Herb

 

got my EV mod from coastal to and have found that i can get it to go into EV after the car has ran for a few minutes. I also thought i had the same problem as you, but now think i was not holding the lever back long enough.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Herb @ Aug 10 2006, 06:38 AM) [snapback]300721[/snapback]</div>

You probably could use EV mode in that last segment, however some things to think about: Usually, EV mode can only take you about a mile. in stop and go, where you have to start up from nothing a bunch, thats probably less. Also, once the batteries are run down (and they definately will be), the gas engine would kick in to recharge them, even if you aren't moving, thus destroying your mileage. Instead of trying to use it for the entire 2-3 miles of cross town traffic, use it sparringly. Personally, i've found that it's great for forcing the ICE off when it doesn't want to go off. for example, if you've just accellerated with the ICE, but dont' get going to fast, often it won't turn off until you come to a complete stop. the EV mod can help you by letting you turn it off while you're coasting into the red light.

just my two cents

 

I have a follow up question:

Since I had the ECM on my '05 flashed as a result of a recall, would the EV kit from CoastalEtech work? I was told by the Toyota technician that the ECU flash upgrade essentially made my ECU a 2006 version. I noticed the sticky on EV kits not working on '06 models...would I be affected?

Herb

 

It's harder to go into EV mode in the hot summer months. It won't go into EV mode because the battery is too hot. Even if you try in the morning, you may get the 3 beeps since it takes a long time for the battery to cool down without the fan.

Someone needs to make a fan timer mod to have the HV Battery fan keep running for a period of time after the car is off.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Herb @ Aug 10 2006, 09:38 AM) [snapback]300796[/snapback]</div>

I've got an '06 and the EV mod from coastal works perfectly for me. so i should think it'll work fine for you, too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kkellly @ Aug 10 2006, 08:27 AM) [snapback]300730[/snapback]</div>

I've had the Coastal Tech EV mod on my '06 for about a month now. Sometimes I have to hold the CC stalk back for up to 10 seconds before EV kicks in. But I use it every day first thing in the morning and it always prevents the ICE from starting. My first 2 miles are down hill, so I don't worry about climbing up my driveway -- I know the battery will charge up to the green by the time I hit the traffic light at the bottom

 

I don't get the message "Cannot go into EV mode at this time". I do get the three beeps and I have '06 Package 1. Anyone experienced the same? Thanks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(akrca4 @ Aug 15 2006, 12:39 PM) [snapback]303593[/snapback]</div>

I believe there are many conditions that restrict EV use when demanded ... high battery temp, low battery temp, low SOC, cold O2 sensor, etc. The response to calling for EV when it's not allowed should be the consistent "three beeps and message", but it's not. Sometimes I don't get the beeps or the message; sometimes I do. The only way to really know if you're in EV mode is to set the MFD to the Consumption screen prior to engaging EV mode. The screen will always change to the Energy screen when you go into EV mode.

 

I always get the three beeps, but have never gotten the message. I am wondering if it's because I only have package 1? Anyone?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(akrca4 @ Aug 16 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]303937[/snapback]</div>

I only get the three beeps and message together, and that's usually (I think) when I try to engage during the warm-up cycle. Lately, I don't get any message, beeps, or EV mode and I'm guessing because the battery temp is too high.

I like the mod, but it's turning out to be a little finicky/inconsistent. Then I start thinking "Did I really get that pin all the way in?"

 

FYI,

UK EV mode manual was posted before...
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=14582&st=1
The "The hybrid system gets hot." condition is the HV battery temp is above 45 C (113 F).

Ken@Japan

 

I just installed the Coastel EV mod and it was actually sort of hard to do. I have Sirius and there's a box for it right next to the computer where you need to take the plug out for the mod. Hard to get to, but not impossible. Anyway, I finished up and it (to my surprise) worked! Yay.

One question: I don't get any "beeps" when I enter EV Mode. I get 3 "beeps" when I'm exiting the mode. Is this a problem? I thought I read somewhere on here that there was supposed to be a "beep" when EV Mode kicked it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AZTriGuy @ Aug 22 2006, 08:03 PM) [snapback]307905[/snapback]</div>

I have an '06 package 8 and I installed the EV and it works fine.... Make sure you hold the lever back for a few seconds and then it will work... The first few times I didn't hold it long enough...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(akrca4 @ Aug 16 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]303937[/snapback]</div>

I have a package #1 Prius and installed the coastal EV and have never gotten any message on the screen....
I too think it may be that we only have #1 package!
The EV seems to work, at least for about 1000 feet before I go up a little hill in the neighborhood at 15-20 MPH...Wish it would last longer but the battery gets drained quick.

 

I bought the Speed Door Lock and the EV mode kits from Coastal. Unfortunately they sold me a defective Speed Door Lock module.

So, once it became clear it was defective (it would lock the doors immediately rather then at 15km, reinstalled twice including one time with a licensed auto mechanic).

I called them, got their machine, left message, no call back.
I repeated this exercise 13 times - all at various days and times.
I emailed them 8 times.
I posted on this board about how I needed their help and had a problem

I got zero replies - nothing - nada - zip.

Note that I was extremely nice and courteous on the phone, so that they would not be 'afraid' to call me back. In the end I begged and pleaded for a simple call back.

Then, I went so far as to order another speed door lock kit from them. I thought it would arrive, we would instal it and then we would send back the defective one. I figured I'd lose the shipping costs but no big deal.

Guess what happened - well since they WERE getting my messages and saw my posts, they didn't ship it.

This means that not only is their customer service terrible, but they purposefully don't call you back and have a policy of problem-avoidance. Ie, once you call with a problem they pretty much blacklist you rather then try to help you.

They make some really cool products (in theory - because they seem cool but might not work). However no matter how cool a product is, with this type of service it's just not worth buying from them. I was going to order the lock pick from them, but now of course that is out of the question.

Today I shipped back the speed door lock and the EV kit, and initiated a chargeback to them via American Express.

It really left me quite displeased.

Be carefull with them, and don't expect any help if you have a problem.