Who has installed the EV Mode Switch?

I installed the factory switch about 2 weeks ago. I use it every morning when I leave the house. I'm about 1/4 mile from the entrance ramp (30mph speed limit on road leading to highway). When I give it gas on the ramp it kicks into engine assist, so it works fine for me.

 

Which version are you talking about? OEM, Coastal, Headlight Flash or your own button?

I have the Coastal Version, which I use rarely, mainly to go around a large parking lot or to moving onto my parent's driveway if I'm parked on the street. I can also use it to go home from my local shopping mall.

 

I did it. Got it from Coastal. It's just a little gimmick, nothing you'll really use too much.
Unfortunately, if you use EV mode, your car will have to recharge the battery when you're done, so you're really not being more efficient with EV.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(yarzy @ Sep 12 2006, 08:34 AM) [snapback]318328[/snapback]</div>

All of the EV mods are doing the same thing; they create a short to ground from Pin #27 on one of the plugs.

The cheapest is to disconnect one of the wires of the "Flash to Pass" part of the headlight stalk, cut it and add about 5' of wire. Then run the wire to the far right side (where #27 is) and plug the end in. This is an oversimplification, but it gives you an idea. If you're interested in that, there are instructions on this site. You will lose the ability to "Flash to Pass," but only during the daytime. The nighttime part still works, which means you'll be "flashing" when you want to go to EV mode at night.

The next cheapest is running a wire from #27, adding a pushbutton, and connecting the other end to ground. That way you can decide what type of button and its location.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(yarzy @ Sep 12 2006, 09:10 AM) [snapback]318373[/snapback]</div>

elfusco gave you the links for the DIY. If you spend the $45 and get the OEM, it'll look factory installed. If you spend $45 for the Coastal, you won't have to open as much of the dash; plus the instructions made the installation fairly easy (except for sticking that %*#&#@ pin into #27).

It really depends on your skill level and your willingness to modify. It's like the NAV and BT override in the 2006. There's a couple of wires that you can cut (and add switches) that will allow you to operate items that were greyed out when in motion. Some would rather have a software override (like for the 2004-2005) and others are willing to do surgery on their car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(yarzy @ Sep 12 2006, 11:05 AM) [snapback]318294[/snapback]</div>

I used the factory OEM switch - looks the best when installed - also dims with interior lights

 

I’m probably the only one who has both versions installed. I had ordered the Coastal version when my son-in–law picked up a factory switch during one of his trips to Japan. I arranged for a Prius tech to do the installation for me. I put all of the stuff in an envelope and left it in the car. The tech drove the car into the service bay and I went down the street for a cup of coffee. When I got back he was finished, he said that he did not know which version I had wanted installed and since I was not available he just did both. I use the factory switch most of the time.

 

One of the main reasons I bought the car was to have EV mode to shuffle the car around without starting the ICE cold.

Here's my page:
http://evnut.com/prius_ev_mode.htm

 

I installed the Coastal Tech switch. I use it frequently but not excessively. It doesn't improve MPG much, but it saves gas in a variety of circumstances. It was a snap to install. Took me about 30 minutes. If you value your time doing stuff other than jacking around with your car and aren't really comfortable messing with the vehicle too much then the coastal mod is the way to go. The instructions are very easy to follow and the pics are nice.

 

So is there any truth in the post I read that Toyota will not honour the battery warranty if this mod. is done? Seems to me they couldn't win if you took them to court as it's standard in Europe. Maybe the electrons in Europe are less powerful.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 12 2006, 06:38 PM) [snapback]318707[/snapback]</div>

This is the reason I decided to install an EV switch. There is software that will protect the battery. We aren't just putting in a switch that will kill the ICE, as well as preventing it from starting, until the switch is thrown back. That sort of device would be like running out of gas and using the battery as a "lifeboat." Nope, if it wasn't for the software, I wouldn't have intalled it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Sep 12 2006, 07:09 AM) [snapback]318372[/snapback]</div>

This is the way I did it. It cost about $5.00. There is no conflict with the headlight dimming, no delay, and I can see the switch. Of course, it would have been impossible without the instructions here on PC.

As there are few real hyper milers there are few who really make a big thing of the switch. Mostly it is handy for short moves when you don't want to start up the ICE. It is hard on the ICE to shut it off before it gets warm.

 

I have to go down hill on a slow, winding road
for over a half mile with the engine running just
to warm up. It seems the EV switch would be
great to delay the warming. Right? Or would
the energy into the battery compensate
for that????
Bud

 

Well... you have to warm the engine up at some point, so it might as well happen on the way down your hill as anywhere else. In many situations, it seems more efficient to let the engine warm up before you need the engine for traction power.