When do you use the EV button?

gazz · 08-09-2007, 08:41 AM

Over use or incorrect use of EV will pull your FE down. It is advantageous to get the car to state 4, fully warmed and have stopped, so from that point the ICE will always stop when needed. Where the EV can come in useful is when the ICE has not reach stage 4 and so will not shut down then using EV will force the ICE to shut down.

Also when driving below 30mph and managing to glide but the terrain makes it difficult to hold the glide put EV on and this will ensure you do not accidentally fire up the ICE. So even though the EV is on you use little battery power.

If you do over use the EV you will soon notice the engine revving harder which will offset the petrol you just saved.

The above is all how I use EV as well as the car park moving and showing off of cause.

T-spirit · 08-09-2007, 08:58 AM

We use the EV button for the last half mile to the house - it is slow narrow lanes and we never get over 30mph.

The thought here is that setting off for work in the morning, the ICE will run anyhow, to get up to temp. There is also good oportunity for regenerating the lost charge in the 1st mile or so.... and also on the way home. So I figure we aren't loosing much by the ICE recharging the batteries

It's also kinder on the horse riders who use the lanes - they don't get so scared with a quiet whoosh as we go past - well, the riders seem to appreciate us

desertbriez · 08-09-2007, 04:11 PM

why? cuz so many here had it so i had to have it

geodosch · 08-09-2007, 06:43 PM

My primary reason for installing the EV switch was so I could move the car into or out of the garage without the ICE starting.

One of the worst things you can do to the ICE on any car is to run it for just a few seconds or minutes without letting it fully warm-up. With my other cars, if I needed to back it out of the garage (to wash the car, sweep the floor, etc.) I'd push it out of the garage (very slight incline which made that feasible). And when I wanted to move it back in, I'd combine it with an errand driving somewhere, so it had a chance to warm-up. Maybe a bit compulsive, but since I could simply install an EV switch and bypass all of that, it seemed like a no-brainer.

I also sometimes use it getting to work. There's a traffic light around the corner from the parking lot. If I'm stopped there & have a good SOC, I'll switch to EV mode, so the ICE doesn't run when I start driving the last few hundred yards. And as previously mentioned, I also use it in a large parking lot, if I need to move the car from one end to another.

I would not find a reason to use it during regular driving. My honest answer.

Bear68 · 08-09-2007, 09:24 PM

Just a little background as to why I asked the earlier questions... I have been working on Prius since they first hit the US in 2001. I have heard many people ask about the EV mod and have investigated the internet information on how it is wired in. I have also spoken with Toyota reps (whose privacy I will respect, and whose indentity I will not reveal) I have been told that, yes, the EV mod will void the HV warranty on both the ECU and the battery. After having read that it can actually reduce mileage and haing seen the controversy here on PriusChat, I was curious as to who uses it and when.

BTW I have had many customers complain that they don't get the mileage they expect. My first action is to ask if they will allow me to drive the car home overnight. I then reset the mileage meter on the MFD and drive the car. A round trip from work to my home is 50 miles. Then next morning, I return with the consumption meter showing between 65-74 MPG. My personal best is 74.4 MPG over a 50 mile trip. I will admit, I avoid interstates and highways. I use roads with average speed limits of 35-45. I drive like a little old lady. I also get 22 MPG from my 1997 Tacoma 4X4 xtra cab V-6 pickup. The MDT at the shop gets 16 from his 2001 Tacoma Prerunner V-6. I annoy him. :P

I guess my real curiosity is, "Why add an accessory that can potentially damage the car, will void the warranty (US version) and doesn't increase MPG?" I understand the point of keeping emissions down by not running the ICE for a quick movement of the car. That one does make sense. I guess it comes down to personal preferance.

aaf709 · 08-09-2007, 09:45 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bear68 @ Aug 9 2007, 06:24 PM) [snapback]493311[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I guess my real curiosity is, "Why add an accessory that can potentially damage the car, will void the warranty (US version) and doesn't increase MPG?"
[/b]

Well, there's a lot of mods that are done to cars in general that are the same way. People like to change things.

Bear68 · 08-09-2007, 09:53 PM

Just as a sidenote, removing the silly looking trim rings from the factory wheels can also reduce mileage slightly by increasing wind drag. Or so I have been told by Toyota reps..........

P.S. If you have your tires balanced, request they use adhesive weights on the inside of the rims. If they use clamp on weights on the outside, the trim rings will not fit properly. It also looks pitiful.

geodosch · 08-09-2007, 10:10 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bear68 @ Aug 9 2007, 09:24 PM) [snapback]493311[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I guess my real curiosity is, "Why add an accessory that can potentially damage the car, will void the warranty (US version) and doesn't increase MPG?"
[/b]

I would not have added the EV function if I thought there was any possibility of it causing damage to the car. And since the button is there on non-US versions, it wouldn't make sense to think it was something detrimental to the car. My understanding is the reason Toyota chose to omit it from the US Prii has to do with getting it approved by the EPA, and not about whether it will cause damage.

As far as the part about voiding the warranty, that doesn't prove Toyota actually believes use of the EV mode would actually cause harm, but rather they may see it as an 'out' when confronted with footing the bill for a repair. I read many of the discussions regarding that, and felt I was taking a minimal risk (which is also why I went the CT route, and didn't install an overt switch.)

ServoScanMan · 08-10-2007, 03:01 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bear68 @ Aug 9 2007, 08:24 PM) [snapback]493311[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

.... I guess my real curiosity is, "Why add an accessory that can potentially damage the car, will void the warranty (US version) and doesn't increase MPG?" I understand the point of keeping emissions down by not running the ICE for a quick movement of the car. That one does make sense. I guess it comes down to personal preferance.

[/b]

I don't understand how the EV switch can damage the car. The car already has been programmed to use the EV switch from Toyota. And the ECU will NOT let you discharge the traction battery below a safe level set by Toyota.

In my case, I have noticed an INCREASE in MPG with the EV switch. You just have to know when to use the EV switch.

treehggr · 08-10-2007, 10:05 AM

Like others have said you have to know when to use it to benefit from it. I use it for the last 1/8 mile into work each morning and use it for about another 1/2-1 mile each evening when entering into my housing plan. I just use it to do the normal pulse and glide just replacing the ICE/electric pulse with just electric.

08-09-2007, 08:41 AM	#11
gazz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coventry, UK Posts: 173 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: T4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Over use or incorrect use of EV will pull your FE down. It is advantageous to get the car to state 4, fully warmed and have stopped, so from that point the ICE will always stop when needed. Where the EV can come in useful is when the ICE has not reach stage 4 and so will not shut down then using EV will force the ICE to shut down. Also when driving below 30mph and managing to glide but the terrain makes it difficult to hold the glide put EV on and this will ensure you do not accidentally fire up the ICE. So even though the EV is on you use little battery power. If you do over use the EV you will soon notice the engine revving harder which will offset the petrol you just saved. The above is all how I use EV as well as the car park moving and showing off of cause. __________________

08-09-2007, 08:58 AM	#12
T-spirit Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 12 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: T Spirit Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	We use the EV button for the last half mile to the house - it is slow narrow lanes and we never get over 30mph. The thought here is that setting off for work in the morning, the ICE will run anyhow, to get up to temp. There is also good oportunity for regenerating the lost charge in the 1st mile or so.... and also on the way home. So I figure we aren't loosing much by the ICE recharging the batteries It's also kinder on the horse riders who use the lanes - they don't get so scared with a quiet whoosh as we go past - well, the riders seem to appreciate us __________________

08-09-2007, 06:43 PM	#14
geodosch Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 141 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My primary reason for installing the EV switch was so I could move the car into or out of the garage without the ICE starting. One of the worst things you can do to the ICE on any car is to run it for just a few seconds or minutes without letting it fully warm-up. With my other cars, if I needed to back it out of the garage (to wash the car, sweep the floor, etc.) I'd push it out of the garage (very slight incline which made that feasible). And when I wanted to move it back in, I'd combine it with an errand driving somewhere, so it had a chance to warm-up. Maybe a bit compulsive, but since I could simply install an EV switch and bypass all of that, it seemed like a no-brainer. I also sometimes use it getting to work. There's a traffic light around the corner from the parking lot. If I'm stopped there & have a good SOC, I'll switch to EV mode, so the ICE doesn't run when I start driving the last few hundred yards. And as previously mentioned, I also use it in a large parking lot, if I need to move the car from one end to another. I would not find a reason to use it during regular driving. My honest answer. __________________ 2007 Silver Metallic, package #5 Dealer mods: leather heated seats, body side molding, door & fender guards My mods: horn upgrade, CT EV switch, CT autolock, ScanGauge2

08-09-2007, 09:24 PM	#15
Bear68 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FLA Posts: 245 My Car: Package: Nominated 3 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Just a little background as to why I asked the earlier questions... I have been working on Prius since they first hit the US in 2001. I have heard many people ask about the EV mod and have investigated the internet information on how it is wired in. I have also spoken with Toyota reps (whose privacy I will respect, and whose indentity I will not reveal) I have been told that, yes, the EV mod will void the HV warranty on both the ECU and the battery. After having read that it can actually reduce mileage and haing seen the controversy here on PriusChat, I was curious as to who uses it and when. BTW I have had many customers complain that they don't get the mileage they expect. My first action is to ask if they will allow me to drive the car home overnight. I then reset the mileage meter on the MFD and drive the car. A round trip from work to my home is 50 miles. Then next morning, I return with the consumption meter showing between 65-74 MPG. My personal best is 74.4 MPG over a 50 mile trip. I will admit, I avoid interstates and highways. I use roads with average speed limits of 35-45. I drive like a little old lady. I also get 22 MPG from my 1997 Tacoma 4X4 xtra cab V-6 pickup. The MDT at the shop gets 16 from his 2001 Tacoma Prerunner V-6. I annoy him. :P I guess my real curiosity is, "Why add an accessory that can potentially damage the car, will void the warranty (US version) and doesn't increase MPG?" I understand the point of keeping emissions down by not running the ICE for a quick movement of the car. That one does make sense. I guess it comes down to personal preferance. __________________ Toyota Ceritified Master Diagnostic Tech, Prius Certified "The only foolish question is the one left unasked."

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08-09-2007, 04:11 PM	#13
desertbriez Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 369 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	why? cuz so many here had it so i had to have it

08-09-2007, 09:53 PM	#17
Bear68 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FLA Posts: 245 My Car: Package: Nominated 3 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Just as a sidenote, removing the silly looking trim rings from the factory wheels can also reduce mileage slightly by increasing wind drag. Or so I have been told by Toyota reps.......... P.S. If you have your tires balanced, request they use adhesive weights on the inside of the rims. If they use clamp on weights on the outside, the trim rings will not fit properly. It also looks pitiful.

08-10-2007, 10:05 AM	#20
treehggr Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 230 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Like others have said you have to know when to use it to benefit from it. I use it for the last 1/8 mile into work each morning and use it for about another 1/2-1 mile each evening when entering into my housing plan. I just use it to do the normal pulse and glide just replacing the ICE/electric pulse with just electric.