Dr Prius cost and value

Thank you, I loaded the PIDs last night, I will try again today to see if I can pull codes, I know I have one in there for a wheel speed sensor.

 

Well, I may have been foolish, and I just paid for the in-app purchase for full diagnostic abilities. It was $34.47 via the Apple app store. Maybe there was a place to get it for less, but I was in my car with the app running and didn't want to go research for discounts and such.

I don't know, maybe the price went way up, and that's the base price now. Nevertheless, I think the value is really very good. I got the TonWon OBDII reader on Amazon (attaching file) after a bunch of research ($27...If you want to do your own research, I highly recommend reading "Clone wars" about OBDII readers. Mind you, this one isn't listed but is obviously identical to one that is....just branded differently). I had a bluetooth OBD2 reader in the past that wouldn't connect with my iPhone. At first, I seemed to have the same issue, but may have just not seen the correct item to connect with, as I was in an RV park and about 20 devices populated in the app. I went away from other devices, in a parking lot that was empty, and saw the device (named IOS Vlink) and connected (within the Dr. Prius app, as instructions say to do). Then, it worked. The Dr Prius app gave me very detailed info on the battery cells, and seemed to be very responsive to everything I did with the car. It disconnected a few times, but would reconnect and work again. When I went to look at the other features (diagnostic testing), the app prompted me to buy the full app to get these. I did it, and I'm glad. I ran the car through the driving test (accelerate quickly and decelerate quickly, a couple of times, over about 30-45 seconds) and it gave me good health function scores. Then I checked predicted battery life:

I have a 2013 Lexus CT200h. Was in Amarillo, TX for about 5 years, kept in a garage, then in Colorado in the Rockies (8500 ft elevation) for the subsequent years. Garaged at about 50-deg F in the winter, and about 65-degrees in the summer. Driven huge distances to AZ, TN, GA, CA, WA, etc many times. So after about 10-years since the battery was new, I figured I was getting somewhat close to a refurbish/replace. 130,000 miles.

I have been researching LiFePO4 vs NiMH, and was pretty much settled on LiFePO4's from projectlithium.com (Dr Prius site, where I realized I should get the app, after reading on forums about it a bunch).

So my predicted battery health, at 10-years, 130,000 miles, is 81.6%
This battery-predicted longevity test takes a full 15 minutes, and I had to adjust the AC/lights/fan to keep the amperage draw within the arc, many times during the testing. With the area-under-the-curve calculation from full charge to limit of "empty" (around 20%), over 15 minutes, with constantly varying but consistent mid-range amperage draw, I have a lot of confidence in the ability to evaluate battery health from this app.

HOLY CRAP!! So after all the research and gyrating around, thinking I needed a new battery, I now likely have YEARS left on the stock battery pack, and can continually monitor the health of them, so I can change them before anything getting "iffy" and harness the gains of improved mileage, etc with new batteries. They may only last a couple of years more (maybe two?three?....living near Houston now, car outside, so it's going to hurt the battery...particularly in the summer).

So, hopefully this is helpful to some of you (all the details), and I can tell you that for me: ABSOLUTELY worth it to buy the OBDII reader and Dr Prius app, even though the total was $60. Plus, I shut off the stupid seat belt alarm with the app. I drive with a seatbelt always, except when I'm tooling around a parking lot or down the main street in my little town, where the speed limit is literally 7mph for two blocks, and otherwise 15mph. So sometimes, just hopping in and going a block, I don't put it on, and it's always been annoying. Worth $20 to me just to get rid of that.

 

$11.99 for a three car individual license. (Possible $2 discount as well.) Go from Dr. Prius to your Google account to upgrade.

 

greetings from New Zealand. Did you end up finding the cause for your drop in fuel economy? I'm somewhere near the start of a wrestling match with my 2012 Prius v and I would appreciate any tips

 

PriusOwner428 had a P0A80 trouble code, which basically means it is time to replace the hybrid battery. A bad hybrid battery will cause the fuel economy to decrease. So, I am assuming that the drop in fuel economy for PriusOwner428 was caused by a deteriorating hybrid battery.

 

Like the original poster, I am wondering if Dr. Prius is the right app for me, and this thread has now made me aware of Hybrid Assistant, which I am also considering.

My situation: I have a 2004 Prius, and I successfully replaced the DC-DC Converter/Inverter Assembly last summer, with MUCH help and advice from this forum. It is time to find the old girl a new home (currently listed for sale on this forum), and I would like to test the HV battery to get a better idea of the life expectancy of it's original HV battery. For a 21 year old car, with 66,000 miles, I may be rare case of longevity. But, I have had zero issues with the HV battery all these years, and before someone else pays what I asking for it, I can understand their apprehension.

Checking the HV battery health is my main concern and need at this time. I am a low-level auto DIYer, and don't plan on heavy use of any diagnostic tool, but do want to be able to perform relatively simple tasks when the need arises.

Also own a 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid SE (bought 15 months ago with the goal to replace the Prius), so it would be nice if the same app and whatever OBD2 scan device I buy would also work on the CCH.

Weighing cost, compatibility, reliability, ease of use, and so on. Any and all comments, recommendations, warnings, etc. are welcome.

So far, and please correct me if I am wrong, this is my understanding (and I am strictly an Android user):

1. Dr. Prius app is free to download, but there is a cost to be able to perform test(s). I can find no list of the various tests (or associated costs). I don't have a suitable OBD2 scan device yet, so can't proceed as if I want to make a purchase. Anyone help me with knowing what costs might be to test the HV battery? The OBD2 scan device I am considering (if I go with this app) is the Panlong OBD2.

2. Hybrid Assistant is also free to download, and it appears also free to run tests? Recommended OBD2 device advice from website is pretty clear (OBDLink LX).

Which app and OBD2 device do more experienced users here recommend?

 

Go for the Dr Prius app. It is easy to use and will do what you are looking for.

Download the app, and then you can find out in the app how much it costs to do the tests. I believe it was about $10 three to 4 years ago.

 

Thanks for the suggestion on how to see prices. I had to choose WiFi connection (since I don't have an OBD2 Bluetooth device yet).

Personal Package (unlimited test on up to 3 vehicles) is $11.99

Repair Shop Package (unlimited test on unlimited vehicles) is $31.99

Both packages offer a few dollars discount, depending on how you pay.

Any idea if Dr. Prius will work with my CCH?

 

The 2023 CCH is not listed as a supported vehicle on the Dr Prius website, priusapp.com. I would not be surprise if it was added at a later date.

Try the free version on the CCH and Prius before paying for the tests.

 

CCH = Corolla Cross Hybrid??

 

Yes

 

There is no "life expectancy" test. What there is happens to be an "approximate percent of original capacity" test (that Dr Prius labels as "life expectancy").

Either app will have you charge up the HV battery then monitor volts and amps while discharging & present an approximate capacity value.

Personally I find Dr Prius to be a bit annoying to use as it can be difficult to keep the discharge amperage "right on target".

Hybrid Assistant gives much more data (useful IF you understand what you're looking at) - and it's android only.

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