EV Mode From Coastal: Any Experience Out There?

Bob Hayes · 06-14-2005, 11:46 AM

After 2 months of absolutely nothing, Coastal finally sent an e-mail saying my EV Mode is on the way. But now I have reservations. Tinkering with the electronics in any complicated computer system is risky business.

Any feedback out there from people who have installed the Coastal EV Mode?

1) Does it work as advertised? Are there any unknown problems?
2) Is it easy to install, and is there any wire-cutting?
3) Any thoughts on warranty: Will this device void the warranty? Is it easy to remove it and reinstall when I take it in for maintenance, so the dealer will never know the difference???

The last thing I want is to install this device, have it ruin something, and then hear from the dealer that it's not covered, because I modified the car.

Thanks, everyone.

DanMan32 · 06-14-2005, 12:29 PM

Without owning Coastal's EV mod, but having my own button, and understanding how coastal's mod works, and reading previous posts on it:

"1) Does it work as advertised? Are there any unknown problems?"

Yes, very well. Early betas had a problem where CC would not engage below 35MPH, but that was fixed before full production.

"2) Is it easy to install, and is there any wire-cutting?"
No wire cutting. A few wire taps, and a pin that needs to be added to the HV ECU plug. The pin is the hardest part, as it has to be inserted far enough. Getting to the plug can be cramped.

"3) Any thoughts on warranty: Will this device void the warranty? Is it easy to remove it and reinstall when I take it in for maintenance, so the dealer will never know the difference???"
It is hidden, since you use the CC cancel to engage. Removal would be tough because of the pin. If they had to work around the HV ECU, then they would see it. Otherwise they wouldn't. They don't need to go there for any reprogramming. Warranty issue has been debated on several threads. Search on EV and Warranty.

"The last thing I want is to install this device, have it ruin something, and then hear from the dealer that it's not covered, because I modified the car."

If you are uncomfortable with doing mods, then an installer should be able to do it. Not any harder (easier actually) than installing XM or an aftermarket amp/radio. I accidentally broke the locking tab on the plug, but it was way too flimsly and should not have broken. However, the plug can still be removed, with a little more effort to unlatch the locking tab.

**Tideland Prius** · 06-14-2005, 12:34 PM

You got an e-mail? yay! They have stock!

Where's mine?

**efusco** · 06-14-2005, 12:49 PM

http://priuschat.com/forums/coastaletech-e...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/costal-e-tech-...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/help-on-instal...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/ev-switch--vt5...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/frustrated-nee...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/coastal-tech-n...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/buttonless-ev-...astaletech++mod

The Search feature of this site is your friend.

BitShifter01 · 06-17-2005, 09:56 PM

Evan beat me to it

. Welcome to PriusChat. Make sure you read my review. I'm sure it's mentioned below

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"98357)</div>

Quote:

http://priuschat.com/forums/coastale...t=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/costal-e-tech-...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/help-on-instal...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/ev-switch--vt5...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/frustrated-nee...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/coastal-tech-n...ht=coastal++mod
http://priuschat.com/forums/buttonless-ev-...astaletech++mod

The Search feature of this site is your friend.[/b]

stucholka · 06-18-2005, 02:23 AM

I hope I get my email soon! I ordered one almost two months ago.

LOLGuy · 06-26-2005, 10:05 PM

Received my EV switch from Costal last week and installed it today -- works like a charm. Instructions and diagrams were excellent and install took about 30 minutes. Very cool little device. Can't wait to freak out the folks at work!
Thanks, Dave, for a great little product!

**Tideland Prius** · 06-27-2005, 12:51 PM

<sigh> I still haven't got mine and it's been 2 weeks since stock came in

KTPhil · 06-29-2005, 03:41 PM

Got it, installed it, used it. Works easily and invisibly.
Will be removed if I have any unrelated elctrical issues down the road... just to avoid the argument.

Mitch528 · 06-30-2005, 06:32 PM

I placed an order for the Coastal Tech EV mod, then cancelled it after reading of the long delays and some other posts after various other issues which made it sound unattractive.

Obviously, wait times for delivery are still a problem based on Tideland Prius' post above. What have been the actual wait times for people? I have seen as long as 2 months, and I'm not sure I'm that patient.

I have heard that after the install, ANY attempt to cancel the cruise control will result in the Prius beeping three times because it refuses to go into EV mode above 35MPH. My understanding is that the CC cancel needed to be held for 2secs before it would try to engage EV mode. How does it ACTUALLY operate?

I have also heard that, after engaging EV mode with the CC cancel, the only way to put the Prius back into normal hybrid mode was to quickly accelerate... holding the CC cancel down for another 2sec would not do it. Seems hard to believe. True or not?

This seems like a great product for me that is easy to install, and I really like the idea of moving around parking lots and garages in EV mode, but not if I can't easily cancel it or if it will turn my cruise control into a musical instrument every time I have to cancel it on a road trip.

Mitch

06-14-2005, 11:46 AM	#1
Bob Hayes Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 25 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	EV Mode From Coastal: Any Experience Out There? After 2 months of absolutely nothing, Coastal finally sent an e-mail saying my EV Mode is on the way. But now I have reservations. Tinkering with the electronics in any complicated computer system is risky business. Any feedback out there from people who have installed the Coastal EV Mode? 1) Does it work as advertised? Are there any unknown problems? 2) Is it easy to install, and is there any wire-cutting? 3) Any thoughts on warranty: Will this device void the warranty? Is it easy to remove it and reinstall when I take it in for maintenance, so the dealer will never know the difference??? The last thing I want is to install this device, have it ruin something, and then hear from the dealer that it's not covered, because I modified the car. Thanks, everyone.

06-26-2005, 10:05 PM	#7
LOLGuy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 95 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: EV Mode From Coastal: Any Experience Out There? Received my EV switch from Costal last week and installed it today -- works like a charm. Instructions and diagrams were excellent and install took about 30 minutes. Very cool little device. Can't wait to freak out the folks at work! Thanks, Dave, for a great little product!

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06-14-2005, 12:29 PM	#2
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Without owning Coastal's EV mod, but having my own button, and understanding how coastal's mod works, and reading previous posts on it: "1) Does it work as advertised? Are there any unknown problems?" Yes, very well. Early betas had a problem where CC would not engage below 35MPH, but that was fixed before full production. "2) Is it easy to install, and is there any wire-cutting?" No wire cutting. A few wire taps, and a pin that needs to be added to the HV ECU plug. The pin is the hardest part, as it has to be inserted far enough. Getting to the plug can be cramped. "3) Any thoughts on warranty: Will this device void the warranty? Is it easy to remove it and reinstall when I take it in for maintenance, so the dealer will never know the difference???" It is hidden, since you use the CC cancel to engage. Removal would be tough because of the pin. If they had to work around the HV ECU, then they would see it. Otherwise they wouldn't. They don't need to go there for any reprogramming. Warranty issue has been debated on several threads. Search on EV and Warranty. "The last thing I want is to install this device, have it ruin something, and then hear from the dealer that it's not covered, because I modified the car." If you are uncomfortable with doing mods, then an installer should be able to do it. Not any harder (easier actually) than installing XM or an aftermarket amp/radio. I accidentally broke the locking tab on the plug, but it was way too flimsly and should not have broken. However, the plug can still be removed, with a little more effort to unlatch the locking tab.

06-14-2005, 12:34 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	You got an e-mail? yay! They have stock! Where's mine?

06-14-2005, 12:49 PM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,228 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	http://priuschat.com/forums/coastaletech-e...ht=coastal++mod http://priuschat.com/forums/costal-e-tech-...ht=coastal++mod http://priuschat.com/forums/help-on-instal...ht=coastal++mod http://priuschat.com/forums/ev-switch--vt5...ht=coastal++mod http://priuschat.com/forums/frustrated-nee...ht=coastal++mod http://priuschat.com/forums/coastal-tech-n...ht=coastal++mod http://priuschat.com/forums/buttonless-ev-...astaletech++mod The Search feature of this site is your friend.

06-18-2005, 02:23 AM	#6
stucholka Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cedarburg Wisconsin Posts: 5 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I hope I get my email soon! I ordered one almost two months ago.

06-27-2005, 12:51 PM	#8
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	<sigh> I still haven't got mine and it's been 2 weeks since stock came in

06-29-2005, 03:41 PM	#9
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,313 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Got it, installed it, used it. Works easily and invisibly. Will be removed if I have any unrelated elctrical issues down the road... just to avoid the argument.

06-30-2005, 06:32 PM	#10
Mitch528 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 4 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I placed an order for the Coastal Tech EV mod, then cancelled it after reading of the long delays and some other posts after various other issues which made it sound unattractive. Obviously, wait times for delivery are still a problem based on Tideland Prius' post above. What have been the actual wait times for people? I have seen as long as 2 months, and I'm not sure I'm that patient. I have heard that after the install, ANY attempt to cancel the cruise control will result in the Prius beeping three times because it refuses to go into EV mode above 35MPH. My understanding is that the CC cancel needed to be held for 2secs before it would try to engage EV mode. How does it ACTUALLY operate? I have also heard that, after engaging EV mode with the CC cancel, the only way to put the Prius back into normal hybrid mode was to quickly accelerate... holding the CC cancel down for another 2sec would not do it. Seems hard to believe. True or not? This seems like a great product for me that is easy to install, and I really like the idea of moving around parking lots and garages in EV mode, but not if I can't easily cancel it or if it will turn my cruise control into a musical instrument every time I have to cancel it on a road trip. Mitch