1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Rpm

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by hsiaolc, Dec 6, 2009.

Page 1 of 2
  1. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2009
    617
    46
    9
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Since the Prius does not come with a Rev counter we will have to rely on Scan gauge am I correct?

    I am a bit reluctant to spend the money on Scan gauge because I believe it will look unsightly in my car on the dash board, so I was wondering if anyone could please be so kind to give me some info?

    The reason I want to know is I was driving the Prius a little harder today than usual and the engine felt a bit loud while I was in the Red part of the dispaly.

    What is the RPM the car is Stationary but the engine on?

    What is the RPM for the later half of the display when the Engine is on while driving? What is the RPM when you pass the ECO stage?

    Thank you
     
    #1 hsiaolc, Dec 6, 2009
  2. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2003
    2,940
    1,365
    67
    Location:
    Yokohama, JAPAN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You don't have to stick with the ScanGauge to know the rpm.
    There is the "TACH" signal on the B26 of the engine ECU.
    You can see the frequency(proportional to rpm) using low cost digital tester with frequency count capability.
    Depends on your speed, 1,000 to 5,200 rpm.
    Depends on how hard you press the accelerator and your speed, 1,000 to 5,200 rpm.
    Depends on how hard you press the accelerator and your speed, 1,000 to 5,200 rpm.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #2 ken1784, Dec 6, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  3. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2008
    3,033
    708
    75
    Location:
    Ballamer, Merlin
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    There are illustrated instructions/discussion on installing an after-market
    tach on the Blessed Hobbit's website:

    http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/tachack/

    They are for the Gen II, but they may have some transferability.
     
    #3 Rokeby, Dec 6, 2009
  4. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2009
    617
    46
    9
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ok thanks for the reply.

    I don't want to install my meter Tach included!

    I was refering to the HSI Hybrid System Indicator. I am sure depending on the scale of the HSI you can determin the RPM?

    Forexample if you are half way between the later half (since the first half the engin is acutually off unless no battery) then shouldn't the HSI give a rough estimate of the RPM?

    So lets say the moment the engin comes on at around the half way mark on the HSI it is 1000-1700 rpm but a 1/4 over the half then what will it be? Those who has scanguage doesn't have a chart?

    Eg when you HSI just hit the line between Eco and PWR what is the RPM of the Engin? Shouldn't it be roughly the same every time you nearly hit that line?

    If one can give me a rough estimate then I can determin what RPM I am actually driving in and not actually having to install any gauges.

    Thanks
     
    #4 hsiaolc, Dec 6, 2009
  5. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2003
    2,940
    1,365
    67
    Location:
    Yokohama, JAPAN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    No. The HSI is not a tachometer.
    The same HSI level does not always show the same rpm.
    There are a lot of variables, such as speed, acceleration, terrain and others.

    By the way, what would like to do knowing the rpm number on the CVT vehicle?

    Ken@Japan
     
    #5 ken1784, Dec 6, 2009
  6. Spartane

    Spartane Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2009
    149
    43
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I have a scangauge double-side-taped along its 1/2" bottom edge to the top of the steering column, so that it is visible when you look between the top two spokes of the steering wheel. You have to be a bit careful when you attach it like this because the steering wheel can telescope in and out. In my opinion it's easy to see, and it doesn't look too ugly because the cable can be attached to the socket in the back of the scangauge, rather than the one along the side so you don't see the wire running back.

    I got the mounting idea from the picture in this link:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-did-you-put-your-scanguageii.html#post978563

    My main requirement was to know the water temperature since I wanted to block the grill for winter driving. If the engine stays on, the water temperature will eventually rise to 190F where it will tend to stay, although driving up a hill will move it up to about 195F before it drops back down.

    Anyway, here are the RPM ranges that I see (although I haven't yet tried to equate them to the HSI display):

    When you start up the car, it will idle at about 1280RPM.

    The Prius will cruise down a fairly level highway at 60MPH at about 1600RPM ranging from 1280RPM (very slight downward dip in the road) to about 1800 RPM (very slight upward rise).

    While driving down hill faster than about 47MPH, the engine will not turn off; rather it will idle at 992RPM while apparently consuming zero fuel (although the scangauge reading seems to be a bit vague about the fuel consumption while this is occurring).

    You start to hear the engine after about 2000RPM and it is quite noticeable by about 3000RPM.

    From your description, I'm betting you were either touching or just above 3000 RPM.
     
    #6 Spartane, Dec 6, 2009
  7. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2009
    617
    46
    9
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So I know how hard I am driving the Engine. The hard you drive your engine the more engine wear. Hence I don't want to ever go above hitting 4000 rpm if I can control myself. I am used to drive very fast cars and a boy racer but since I bought this car I have been driving like a old man.

    Never has a car used to pass me before but now everyone passes me including old man. I got tired today for being slow so I tried to rev up on the moto way and felt guilty because I was in the RED zone alot in the HSI readings. So I felt bad and wanted to know what kind of RPM I was doing because I felt I reved my engine too much today.

    Since also this is the first NEW car I've ever bought (I used to swear never buy new car in my life, long story) so I want to really look after this engine from the start so if I know what RPM I am doing then I can look after my engine better?

    But I really don't want to instally that Ugly gauge in the car! Or that Tach meter. really ugly for the Prius considering Prius is not that great looking in the first place!
     
    #7 hsiaolc, Dec 6, 2009
  8. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2009
    617
    46
    9
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    Cool, Thank you!! That means I must be doing over 3000rpm when I went full speed today (Over MAX RED on the PWR HSI). I will look at the scangauge site you've given me. Thank you.
     
    #8 hsiaolc, Dec 6, 2009
  9. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2003
    2,940
    1,365
    67
    Location:
    Yokohama, JAPAN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Prius engine is not so weak unless you do auto racing or driving over 100 mph long time on autobahn.
    If you really want to know the 4000 rpm threshold, you'll be required some kind of tachometers.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #9 ken1784, Dec 6, 2009
  10. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2009
    617
    46
    9
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I used to always drive 95-110 here in the UK. Now with Prius it is 65! Only today I was brave and went to 87.

    Where is the FUN?!!!! I am just talking to myself.
     
    #10 hsiaolc, Dec 6, 2009
  11. freight48

    freight48 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2009
    9
    0
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, ON
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You seem very uncompromising. Maybe the Prius isn't for you? I'll take it. :)
     
    #11 freight48, Dec 6, 2009
  12. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have a scan gauge in my Gen II Prius to monitor temps when I played with grill blocking but it has little affect in my climate which is basically mild to very hot. I see little value in a tacho in these cars, the maximum engine RPM is about 5000RPM, around 1000RPM short of the engine's design red line so there is no potential to harm the engine by over reving it.

    Put the steering wheel at its highest and closest to the dash and stick the scan gauge to the steering column with self adhesive Velcro, it looks fine there and by putting the wheel up and away first you ensure the scan gauge won't hit the dash board.
     
    #12 patsparks, Dec 6, 2009
  13. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2003
    2,940
    1,365
    67
    Location:
    Yokohama, JAPAN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    AFAIK, there is no place to be able to drive more than 70 mph legally on the UK public road.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #13 ken1784, Dec 6, 2009
  14. cossie1600

    cossie1600 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
    898
    92
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    No cops are going to pull you over in a Prius, it's a great
     
    #14 cossie1600, Dec 7, 2009
  15. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    No one seems to care about the speed limits on UK motorways. I drove my hire car at 80 on motorways all the time I was there and you get passed like your parked.
     
    #15 patsparks, Dec 7, 2009
  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,369
    15,511
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    One of the new car features is a valve in the muffler that opens up in high power mode. I've listened for it but have yet to hear it.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #16 bwilson4web, Dec 7, 2009
  17. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2009
    1,255
    185
    0
    Location:
    a
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    comment deleted
     
    #17 wvgasguy, Dec 7, 2009
  18. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Can you export these cops to Mississippi?
     
    #18 JimboPalmer, Dec 7, 2009
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,996
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Is it kmh or mph? BTW, you can drive 87 mph under 4,000 rpm or even 3,000 rpm.
     
    #19 usbseawolf2000, Dec 7, 2009
  20. freight48

    freight48 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2009
    9
    0
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, ON
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The UK uses the same measurement system as the US. MPH over there. Funny because, IIRC, they're the only European country that doesn't use the metric system.
     
    #20 freight48, Dec 7, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2