Hacking the Prius

[ggood]

Hacking your Prius
By Daniel Terdiman
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: May 22, 2006, 4:00 AM PDT

Heaven knows, Prius owners love their hybrid cars.

But some of the most passionate among them are finding there are certain factory-set features they don't like, and they're increasingly finding ways to take matters into their own hands to change them.

They're the do-it-yourself Prius hackers, many of whom likely are more comfortable in front of a computer than in a garage. But unlike early generations of car buffs, they're more interested in saving the planet than winning a drag race.



Click HERE

[Subversive]

Obviously written by a non-owner who doesn't quite understand how the car works:

Other hacks include making it possible for a Prius to drive mostly on battery power and in the process get nearly 100 miles per gallon, and driving an American Prius in all-electric mode at low speeds--a standard feature on European and Japanese models.[/b]

Complete with disinformation from a "Toyota spokesperson":

Kwong said Toyota doesn't offer the switch to electric mode because of U.S. laws mandating that it offer a minimum eight-year warranty for the car's power system. Thus, he said, by disabling the switch, the company is able to ensure a longer battery life.[/b]

But otherwise a positive and entertaining article.

[MikeSF]

People want environmental technological solutions, and they want them faster than the market can necessarily dish them out
[/b]

I think a more accurate statement would be "... they want them faster than the market will dish them out" If I can do it, you're telling me the millions in R&D at Toyota is unable to make available? Pfffbt.

"It is hazardous. It's like talking on the phone or shaving while you're operating the vehicle."
[/b]

Yet which package is it that while yes does give hands free really streamlines the act of talking on the phone?

And there's a LAW requiring an 8 year warranty on the batteries?

[bigdaddy]

The article mentions MAKE magazine, a really good rag for do-it-yourselfers. There have been some prius hack challenges on their blog recently. (www.makezine.com)

Also noticed Coastal Dave is featured in big bold red letters.

[finman]

I want to say it's tied to the CARB states (CA, NY, et al). Emissions equipment must last a certain amount of time. The Prius battery is part of the emissions systems.

Cheers,

Curt.