I just heard on the news today about a chip that goes into the fuse box to improve the MPG on Prius cars in Europe. These cars are getting over 65 MPG. Has anyone heard of this chip here in the States or where we can buy one?
I'm sure somebody on e-bay will sell you something claiming that it'll do that. Sounds like more hogwash to me.
I swear we already had this exact thread, except that it was a Chinese chip last time instead of a European chip. Either way it's obviously BS.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius007 @ Sep 30 2007, 10:29 AM) [snapback]519355[/snapback]</div> A chip in the fusebox? How's it going to do anything there, except for short circuiting something?
For the low low price of $37.95USD I'll ship you a package of "Prius Grill Blocking Foam" specially shaped and formulated to fit in the grill of the 2004 - 2008 Toyota Prius. This foam, when properly placed, will reduce the inflow of cold winter air, retain engine heat, and improve mileage during the cold months. Buy now! Supplies are limited! Coming soon: Toyota Prius Tire Inflation Air! Currently accepting pre-orders.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Sep 30 2007, 01:47 PM) [snapback]519488[/snapback]</div> It is call ....."The Scarf O'Matic"..... exclusively for the american Prius.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Sep 30 2007, 01:47 PM) [snapback]519488[/snapback]</div> Don't laugh, when it gets cold out, I put a piece of cardboard over the radiator of my truck (and MGs) to retain heat..usually to get more heat out of the heater, but as a side effect, it does raise the mpg a hair (as you are getting into the proper temp range). When itis too cold, cars tend to run a bit rich (at least oldercars with carbs) and the mpg goes way down related to the OP, I am sure that is bogus.... but somewhat related - I did have our Audi's (2001) CPU 'chipped' to get more HP out of the motor. The tech said in addition to more hp/torque, the mpg would go up. I was like..thats BS.... Sure as sh*t, the average mpg went from 21.9 to 24.1. It IS possible to alter the programming of the cars (at least some). Not sure if you can with the prius though
Be skeptical. Posting/questioning here is a very good first step. In other news, there IS a way to significantly improve actual mileage. Raise the rear of the vehicle so the front is lower than the back. It's a fact that cars get much better mileage going downhill, and this will fool the car into thinking it's always going downhill.
If there was a software change that could improve mileage without negative side effects, I think Toyota would have figured it out. Although the Prius' goal of low emissions usually has the effect of lower gas usage (less gas in, less out the tailpipe) there are some exceptions. You could improve mileage by defeating the warmup cycle, but that would increase NOx emissions. Assuming such a mod exists, my guess is that it makes the emissions worse (maybe it does defeat the warmup cycle).
There are two kinds of 'chips' out there and neither from what I know works on the Prius. The first kind is junk, a resistor that is placed in line with one of the sensors, I think the o2 sensor. It makes the car have more power and worse emissions. It DOES work. It wastes gas and is a part that costs about 25 cents and is sold for $30 or more. The second kind is a flash upgrade to the cars computer. They are known as superchips and other brands. I have one for my Mustang and indeed it can improve the HP of the car or improve the fuel economy. It of course increases the emissions. For example I could have mine programmed to not worry as much about keeping the engine warm and raising the idle all the time. I could then put it back to normal for an emmisions test. I absolutely notice the HP increase when it set for that. Its advertised as around 10% and feels like more (though I doubt it is). The device also removes the redline limit and top speed limit if programmed to. The Prius system is much more complex and as far as I know its not been 'cracked' so all of this can be done. The mpg could be improved but the emissions would increase. Paul
["When itis too cold, cars tend to run a bit rich (at least oldercars with carbs) and the mpg goes way down." You've got that backwards. In layman's terms, when it's cold, the air (like everything else) contracts. As the denser air gets into the fuel / air mixture in the engine's combustion chambers, what you have is a lean condition - lean means too much air, not eneough gas, while rich means too much gas, not enough air. Anyway, to compensate for "more" air getting into the mix - a lean condition - the computer orders the fuel injection to pump in more gas, in order to maintain the proper stoichiometric ratio. More gas is therefore used, hence lower MPG in the cold - and this has nothing to do whatever with carburators or fuel injection. It's a function of cold air being denser than warm air, and the ability of fuel injection to compensate. -MKL ('08 Touring Package #6 on order since August 14th) '05 BMW X5 4.4i '04 BMW R1150RT '74 BMW R90/6 '73 BMW R75/5
I can't believe no one has mentioned the electric supercharger!!! Isn't there some magnet or something I can strap to the fuel line...?
Hi All, Bob Wilson on another thread said that he and some European Prius owners had evaluated the warm-up cycles of the Prius. Apparently the European cars dispense with some of the catalytic converter warm-up and get into full hybrid operation sooner. Which would improve economy slightly. This is not a chip tho. It would be a reflash. And it would generate more polutant emissions during the skipped over warm-up stage.
