Is the EV mode possible on the 2008 (I know it's not standard, it has to be added)? The EV light seems to be missing from the instrument panel. I can see all the unlit lights when the sun hits the instrument panel just right, and there doesn't seem to be an EV light. I've seen previous years do have this light present. Thanks for your help!
The EV mode is not standard on the N American Prius. You would have to add a mod, but it really isn't worth it.
Yes probably not worth it, but I am adding it this weekend anyway. I don't really plan on using it in the coarse of normal driving but I think if nothing else it adds bit of a cool factor when you are demo'ing a car to one of the great unwashed. The kit from CoastalETech is on its way here, probably counld have wired myself without the kit, but I am lazy.
Mine doesn't. I have an EV button, so it presumably would light if it was there. As I understand it, because the N.A. Prius doesn't have the factory EV switch it doesn't have the light either. Having said that, AFAIK you can add a switch to the 2008. I've seen nothing on the forums that suggests the 2008 is any different from earlier models in that regard.
I have installed the Sigma factory EV switch and it works as they say. From any screen you push the button and it takes you to the screen that shows the power flow. Once you get to two bars of power or you step on the gas a little to hard it kicks in the gas motor. Will not increase your gas mileage but is fun to drive around the camp ground and no one hears you. Have fun !!
I just bought a 2008 Prius and would like to add the EV mode. Is (1) Electric Only Mode the easiest way to go and no pins need to be stolen or borrowed from any other plugs as with (2) http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf? Are there any benefits or problems with leveraging the cruse control or headlight flasher systems beyond what is mentioned? Anyone who has done this, could you share how easy it was - is it a 30 minute job using (1)? Thanks.
1 is clearly the fastest (maybe 10-15 min.) and easiest. 2 is a much nicer install, particularly if you buy the OEM button from a place like sigma automotive. The button-type install works instantaneously without the 2-second delay with the Coastal solution. It does require a little more work and dash disassembly and time...but, IMO, you'll be glad you did it that way ultimately.
My Prius came with a factory fit EV mode. I mainly use it when driving home to deliberately run the battery down. On start-up next day, the battery recharges whilst going through the compulsory warming of the ICE. I could be wrong but I consider that this technique does save petrol.
It actually isn't a good idea to use it that way. During S1 the car prefers to run at ~1275rpm and uses the battery/electric for the majority of propulsion to allow lower emissions during warm up. If you accelerate hard enough to push the rpm out of that range you get into a higher emissions lower efficiency mode. If the battery is really low the car will first and formost work to preserve the battery and efficiency becomes a secondary priority. In general there is not really a good time to use EV mode to run the battery down...the lone exception might be when you know you are approaching a long hill that your glide/coast down will regenerate enough to recharge.
No doubt you are correct, Evan, but I enjoy sneaking home. What about if you have a hill to climb first thing next morning, would that make a difference? The ICE has to rev faster than the 1275 rpm just to get up the hill. Will the car still go into a higher emissions lower efficiency mode?
Yea, it will, but there's not much you can do about that...just like if you need to pull into traffic with a cold engine. In Japan some of those hypermilers like to let the car just idle for 60 sec. auto-shut off the ICE, then they take off in Stage II to avoid that penalty. For some of us we just don't have the patience for that. For me I have a long driveway and very slow speed road out of my little subdivision so I'm in Stage II before I hit the main road...leaving work I have to drive through the parking garage, another lot, & a short road before the main drag and am out of Stage I by the time I get there. Using my EBH I can routinely get 45-50+mpg first 5 minute segments with that technique.
