Finally added the EV mod

[Cheap!]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark Derail @ May 30 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]452131[/snapback]</div>

My 2006 Prius is rented 4 years. The service manager said not to install the EV, it would void my warranty, and he would refuse to service the car for warranty paid-for repairs if installed.

Not a happy camper.

I am glad that "kits" have been coming out specifically for the Prius (EV-15, EV-30), so when I buy outright the car in 3.5 years I'll simply continue the same monthly payment to pay for the batteries.

From my house to my office is about 4 miles one way, with stops & lights. The EV mode would save me lots of gas...if I could install it.

[/b]

It looks like you need to find a new place to have your warranty work done. He might refuse it but another shop right down the road might like to get the work. Then again, what are we talking about, a Prius battery going bad because of an EV switch? You have a better shot at winning the lottery.

BTW, you can probably find Toyota dealership that will install it for you if you look hard enough.

[figmentor]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ May 30 2007, 03:51 PM) [snapback]452252[/snapback]</div>

It looks like you need to find a new place to have your warranty work done. He might refuse it but another shop right down the road might like to get the work. Then again, what are we talking about, a Prius battery going bad because of an EV switch? You have a better shot at winning the lottery.

BTW, you can probably find Toyota dealership that will install it for you if you look hard enough.
[/b]

For what it's worth, I just took my EV switch out! I am trying anything possible to get my mileage over about 43 including new tires, Mobil 1, 42/40 tire pressure (despite the extra wear that nobody talks about), the block heater and pulse and glide practice. 35,000 miles and I've only done better than 45 a few times. Maybe it's the place I live and all these %^$$ stop lights and short trips. If there are any hypermilers within 100 miles of Lansing, MI, let me know so I can come visit you for a roadtrip, PLEASE!!! contact me at figmentor@yahoo.com

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(figmentor @ Jun 5 2007, 11:48 AM) [snapback]455749[/snapback]</div>

For what it's worth, I just took my EV switch out! I am trying anything possible to get my mileage over about 43 including new tires, Mobil 1, 42/40 tire pressure (despite the extra wear that nobody talks about), the block heater and pulse and glide practice. 35,000 miles and I've only done better than 45 a few times. Maybe it's the place I live and all these %^$$ stop lights and short trips. If there are any hypermilers within 100 miles of Lansing, MI, let me know so I can come visit you for a roadtrip, PLEASE!!! contact me at figmentor@yahoo.com [/b]

Taking the EV out won't help anything and eliminates it for potential benefit later. You didn't say anything about your commute so it's a bit difficult to make suggestions. By 35k you should know the car quite well, so it's very odd that your mileage is so low...I have to assume it's your driving style and commute that are the major factors since you seem to have tried everything else.

[markderail]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(figmentor @ Jun 5 2007, 12:48 PM) [snapback]455749[/snapback]</div>

For what it's worth, I just took my EV switch out! I am trying anything possible to get my mileage over about 43 including new tires, Mobil 1, 42/40 tire pressure (despite the extra wear that nobody talks about), the block heater and pulse and glide practice. 35,000 miles and I've only done better than 45 a few times.
[/b]

When, I'm in litres/100km, six months driving and have done 8800km so far.
Using the eForeCourt converter, my winter mileage is (8.5l/100) 27.6 mpg.
This last month has been warm, my average is (5.7) 41.2 mpg.

For next winter I plan on getting the block heater & blocking the grill. I noticed when "warm" in the winter time, coming out of an underground indoor parking in winter, my avg was 7.2 or 32.6 mpg.

The biggest change for me to get good mileage above 40mpg was quick start-ups to speed then coasting + feathering to the next stop.

Life is short - why worry about breaking the 40-45 mpg barrier? A 50mpg'er is only doing 14% better than you.

um that's alot more How do they do it?

Only thing that explains it is 2 or 3 stops to the highway and driving below 50 MPH daily trips of 20+ miles.

I had to go to downtown Montreal a few days in a row, during traffic hours. My average shot way up to 45.5 MPG.

Also funny how using the A/C gets better MPG than two windows down on my trips. Less drag.

[aaf709]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jun 5 2007, 09:54 AM) [snapback]455758[/snapback]</div>

Taking the EV out won't help anything and eliminates it for potential benefit later.
[/b]

I rarely use the EV mode; mainly to move around in a large parking lot. If it were me, I'd leave it in and not try to use it for commuting.

[Rest]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jstack @ May 30 2007, 02:29 AM) [snapback]451950[/snapback]</div>

I can now force EV mode anytime below 35 mph.[/b]

This is why I haven't bought this product yet. The Prius can do EV mode up to 41mph, why would I want to reduce this speed down to 35mph just to do it more often? I don't understand why the reduction in speed is even there with this product.

[KD6HDX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Jun 5 2007, 04:54 PM) [snapback]456105[/snapback]</div>

The Prius can do EV mode up to 41mph, why would I want to reduce this speed down to 35mph just to do it more often?
[/b]

...young grasshoppah, soon you will be able to snatch the pebble from my hand....

EV Shmevee, oy vay EV

Best just to drive it with a very light foot and save save save.... IMHO

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Jun 5 2007, 07:54 PM) [snapback]456105[/snapback]</div>

This is why I haven't bought this product yet. The Prius can do EV mode up to 41mph, why would I want to reduce this speed down to 35mph just to do it more often? I don't understand why the reduction in speed is even there with this product. [/b]

I'm not exactly sure what you're suggesting, but you don't "reduce speed" just to use the switch. The switch doesn't dictate how you drive; it simply enables more efficient driving at lower speeds. It's one tool of many in the box.

Part of the idea is to enable ICE shutoff at lower speeds where, somewhat paradoxically (IMHO), it's more difficult than at speeds of 35-40. In particular, you cannot do an ICE-off glide from speeds of less than 35 MPH while the car is in S3, which may linger for a considerable time during warmup. Many times during S3 I've either accelerated to 35 just to allow the ICE-off glide or resigned myself to the ICE running during the glide. Either way fuel is wasted. Now at lower speeds I shut the ICE off at will after a brief S1.

I've described other low-speed applications in the original post.

[Kestrel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Jun 5 2007, 04:54 PM) [snapback]456105[/snapback]</div>

This is why I haven't bought this product yet. The Prius can do EV mode up to 41mph, why would I want to reduce this speed down to 35mph just to do it more often? I don't understand why the reduction in speed is even there with this product.
[/b]

There is no change to what the car can do. The software will kick you out of EV "mode" when you go above 34 mpg, but that doesn't mean that the ICE turns on at that point. Rather, instead of you telling the car how to run, the computer makes the battery/ICE decisions again. I've had no problems continuing to run only on the battery at speeds above 34 even though I get the beeps that indicate I'm out of EV mode. The switch only means that you can override the computer and force it to stay in EV mode below 34.

[darelldd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark Derail @ May 30 2007, 09:28 AM) [snapback]452131[/snapback]</div>

My 2006 Prius is rented 4 years. The service manager said not to install the EV, it would void my warranty, and he would refuse to service the car for warranty paid-for repairs if installed.[/b]

Well, he can't legally do that. I suppose he can refuse service to anybody, but the warranty cannot be "voided" if nothing is damaged by what you do. Federal law.

The EV mode would save me lots of gas...if I could install it.[/b]

Unlikely. It may save you a tiny bit at best. Will use more at (the more likely) worst case.