Coastal EV Mod Install - Video

[Lloyd9]

Originally Posted by plug-it-in

I found the instructions for the coastaltech package on-line. Comparing it to the 'add a wire (or two) with a SPST switch' I am now certain that the pin location where the control wire goes is correct (pin 27 on the lowest grey plug.).

The Coastal solution is neat - it hides the modification well. Unless the service guys need to open up the dash, Toyota would never see the mod - I am thinking of the warranty here! It is also easy to install.

Still the question remains - it is worth the effort?

In my opinion - yes - every opporunity to save some gas, improve your milage or simply 'Pimp' you Prius with fun add-ons - just do it.
I believe I do improve my milage by strategically using the Coastal EVMod. Its easy to install, hidden from view and relatively inexpensive.
Coastal docs are good and easy to follow.

[plug-it-in]

Originally Posted by Lloyd9

In my opinion - yes - every opporunity to save some gas, improve your milage or simply 'Pimp' you Prius with fun add-ons - just do it.
I believe I do improve my milage by strategically using the Coastal EVMod. Its easy to install, hidden from view and relatively inexpensive.
Coastal docs are good and easy to follow.

Thanks. I get 4.9 to 5.0 l/100 km - winter time up to 5.3 l/100km - without trying to 'hypermile'. I keep an eye on the display but I also keep with the flow of the traffic. I think the EV mod, if properly used, can improve the mileage. I live in a city full of small hills and valleys. EV mode should pull me up the hill when the battery charge is between 3 bars and full, then recharge on the way downhill. Could be a bit tricky and fun to learn how to maximize the benefit.

I would not be surprised if Toyota automated this process for the 2010 model's with the various 'EV modes'. The 'performance mode' is probably the current 'normal' driving mode and the 'economy' level is something what I have in mind above. The battery is way too small to make the pure EV mode practical other then showing it off.

Laszlo

[GaryGarland]

hi all,
just did the coastal ev mod yesterday - couldn't find thunder's video (which i really wanted to see) - saw the juiced hybrid vid a couple of times, not extremely helpful.
coastal docs are terrific.
didn't say how to remove the bottom of the vent cover - some deliberate finger nails were able to remove - vent popped off, glove box removed all perfectly.
did the "build a ship in a bottle" approach - easily found the bottom computer plug, with difficulty wedged it out, then it wouldn't reach outside of the vent area now matter how badly i manhandled the harness in front of and then behind other wire stacks.
managed to shred my left hand a bit with all the times i shoved it through the holes. anyway, ultimately got the black and white wire clipped after dropping one of the taps into the bottom to be lost forever (thank you coastal for including a third!!!!) - took FOREVER to snap the purple wire - finding it was easy - getting it alone from the rest of the wires, with twisting, shifting, etc. took about 20 minutes while sweat dripped all over me.
thought the worst was over - then took about 10 minutes to sort of move the white retaining clip away (managed to break some pieces of it off - yikes!) - eventually got the orange wire inserted (locating the position took 5 seconds, great documentation).
finally, put it all back together, then from passenger seat "started" the car and tried EV - was THRILLED when i apparently delayed and it said "EV mode note available now" - that meant i was hitting the ev mode "stuff" - a few seconds later the engine shut, and i had the climate control screen, pulled the cruise control cancel for a couple of seconds, and was rewarded with the hybrid screen - showing me ev mode was properly installed.
eventually went for a drive, and thank god everything worked - ev mode wise, and not ev mode wise. whew.
install was worth it, but i sweated it out - overall, took better part of an hour - i must confess, i was worried i'd screw something up, and not thrilled to see little pieces of the white retaining clip on the floor - i hope wires or pins don't pull loose in the future.
still, i hope any one considering the mod goes through with it - but too bad toyota didn't just put the damn button in at the factory.

[plug-it-in]

Originally Posted by GaryGarland

hi all,
just did the coastal ev mod yesterday - couldn't find thunder's video (which i really wanted to see) - saw the juiced hybrid vid a couple of times, not extremely helpful.
coastal docs are terrific.
didn't say how to remove the bottom of the vent cover - some deliberate finger nails were able to remove - vent popped off, glove box removed all perfectly.
did the "build a ship in a bottle" approach - easily found the bottom computer plug, with difficulty wedged it out, then it wouldn't reach outside of the vent area now matter how badly i manhandled the harness in front of and then behind other wire stacks.
managed to shred my left hand a bit with all the times i shoved it through the holes. anyway, ultimately got the black and white wire clipped after dropping one of the taps into the bottom to be lost forever (thank you coastal for including a third!!!!) - took FOREVER to snap the purple wire - finding it was easy - getting it alone from the rest of the wires, with twisting, shifting, etc. took about 20 minutes while sweat dripped all over me.
thought the worst was over - then took about 10 minutes to sort of move the white retaining clip away (managed to break some pieces of it off - yikes!) - eventually got the orange wire inserted (locating the position took 5 seconds, great documentation).
finally, put it all back together, then from passenger seat "started" the car and tried EV - was THRILLED when i apparently delayed and it said "EV mode note available now" - that meant i was hitting the ev mode "stuff" - a few seconds later the engine shut, and i had the climate control screen, pulled the cruise control cancel for a couple of seconds, and was rewarded with the hybrid screen - showing me ev mode was properly installed.
eventually went for a drive, and thank god everything worked - ev mode wise, and not ev mode wise. whew.
install was worth it, but i sweated it out - overall, took better part of an hour - i must confess, i was worried i'd screw something up, and not thrilled to see little pieces of the white retaining clip on the floor - i hope wires or pins don't pull loose in the future.
still, i hope any one considering the mod goes through with it - but too bad toyota didn't just put the damn button in at the factory.

Be proud of yourself! Well done. Yes, the Coastal Instructions are EXCELLENT! Still the job is a bit tricky, not much space to work with. It took me about 30 minutes to install the mod. That includes dropping and fishing out one of the little 'T-clips'. I did not want my Toyota service guy find it for me and - perhaps - get into a warranty fight later. My 2008 Prius barely has 12000 km on her.

As you said everything works fine EV mode in or EV mode out. I am still trying to find out if I get any benefits mileage wise. I mostly use the EV mode to make sure the 'warm up cycle' of the gas engine does not start until I am well on my way, rolling at a decent speed. I actually reset the car to 'normal mode' at that point. I don't want the battery charge go below 3 bars (orange colour). It is my hunch that if that happens too often it may effect the useful life of the battery - $$$$$$$$$$$$ There must be a good reason why Toyota programmed the controls to get the gas engine cut in before that happens most of the time. So running in EV mode till the battery runs below three bars may not be a good thing in the long run.

Laszlo

[Hryb]

Hey folks, I have a problem that maybe you guys have seen before. I have an '07, and I installed the Coastal EV mod about six months after I got the car. It's been working great. BUT: I was in an a small accident (damage to right front headlamp, small damage to the bumper) that did not hurt the frame (thank god) or penetrate the engine/passenger cavity.

I finally have the car back this week and it's looking great..

But now my EV switch does not work

I noticed that my electrical system was most likely completely disconnected (clock was reset, along w/ all radio presets) from the battery. Could that cause a problem?

Before I start ripping apart the dashboard to check to see if the EV wiring is intact, has anyone else ever had a problem like this? Is there a master reset / reboot or something I can do to have the Prius system see the mod?

Thanks!

[plug-it-in]

Just a hunch! If your Prius was in a Toyota dealership for repair they may have removed your mod!

I would start here. It is relatively easy to check - just pop-off the driver side covers and take a look.

Good Luck

[Hryb]

Originally Posted by plug-it-in

Just a hunch! If your Prius was in a Toyota dealership for repair they may have removed your mod!

I would start here. It is relatively easy to check - just pop-off the driver side covers and take a look.

Good Luck

Thanks..it was actually at a local shop that specializes in Toyota's, and I've done a lot of work w/ them...so I doubt it but I'll check. I need to take a look at a good video that shows what I am looking for...it's been a while. What is the best current video to review?

[plug-it-in]

Check out this link ou yoptube

YouTube - Prius EVMODE Electric Only Option

YouTube - Prius EVMODE Electric Only Option

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