Must have items for anyone with a Hymotion L5 system:
1) Engine Block Heater (EBH) to maximize early performance
2) Scan Gauge II trip coomputer
3) Programmable timer (for EBH or your recharge extension cord)
4) Energy meter to measure how much electricity your system is drawing
5) 14 gauge extension cord or higher

Nice to have items:
1) EV button (waiting for mine to test it out)

Please add your own thoughts. I'd like to share ideas on the Hymotion system and maximize the potential of this revolutionary PHEV.

Just for fun, the initiation to become a full member of the Hymotion group is that you must post a picture showing 99.9 mpg maxed for 30 minutes on the Prius Consumption screen.

Don't just go finding a picture on the internet to post. The challenge is to do it yourself and show us how many miles you got doing it. We are on the honor system here in terms of boasting about our feats.

The picture I have added is my 2nd pure EV test on 10/11/08. The final result was 22.5 miles before the Hymotion battery gave out. My speed was typically 30-35 mph the entire run.

Here is a short video. I apologize for the wobbling. It was a camera video and I was driving at the same time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQQBkuo2hgs

Hmm. We rarely drive 30 minutes at a time. Can I delay my initiation?


Another problematic factor is that it's my wife's car (hence the name "saucy"). My car would definitely get a Scan Gauge and EBH, but she hates the idea of the scan gauge (she hates everything with a screen) and is still getting used to the idea of putting one plug in the car. I've ordered an EBH for my Insight, and after I show her how easy it is and how it affects my mpg (I hope, I hope) then I'll try getting her one.

I like that we can share tips and tricks and help each other out...but we have to remember the tricks are sometimes social rather than technical!

SaucyRed, totally understood. The picture upload is just for fun and a minor challenge. It should be easy for anyone with a Hymotion installed to accomplish.

My wife has the same attitude towards the Plug-In concept. I suspect she would forget to plug it in most of the time. Or worse yet, she would drive around all day with a fully charged Hymotion battery and never turn it on.

"Just for fun, the initiation to become a full member of the Hymotion group is that you must post a picture showing 99.9 mpg maxed for 30 minutes on the Prius Consumption screen."

PeakOilGarage, I'm getting mine on Jan 8, in Minneapolis, then I'll drive back to Chicago. Any handicap for coooold weather?

PeakOilGarage, I'm getting mine on Jan 8, in Minneapolis, then I'll drive back to Chicago. Any handicap for coooold weather?

Sounds like you need an engine block heater. I started using mine today with the Hymotion and it really does improve performance dramatically. I was struggling to be at 99.9 average because of that early gas consumption dragging me down.

It was easy to keep it at 99.9 mpg with the early 2 hr warm-up phase from the engine block heater.

It is a must have item for any Hymotion owner.

Sounds like you need an engine block heater. I started using mine today with the Hymotion and it really does improve performance dramatically. I was struggling to be at 99.9 average because of that early gas consumption dragging me down.

Actually, I do have one. I need to start using it again, though.

Are you going to use the Grill blocking insulation? Shouldn't it be about the same as w/o the Hymotion install?

I have never heard of the grill blocking insulation. What sort of impact does that have? What is the cost?

I have never heard of the grill blocking insulation. What sort of impact does that have? What is the cost?

I must have described it wrong. It's that 1" foam pipe insulation, you cut in half and shove into your front top or bottom grill horizontal slits, to stop cold air flowing into the engine area.

It greatly improves mpg in winter.

How's that for a technical explanation?

I understand now. I will go looking for a thread on it. I am sure it has been described in detail somewhere on PriusChat.com. Thanks for the tip.