Newbie Questions

Welcome! I'll try to answer some of your questions, but I'm sure others will have more information.

1) http://wiki.ehow.com/Category:Toyota-Prius has the disable reverse beep instructions.

2) There is no "best way" to have an EV switch. As you said, all you need is to connect pin #27 to ground. Any button would do. You could even go to Staples and get that "Easy" button to use. It'll say "That was easy," which sounds like EV. The cheapest would be to use the headlight flasher switch, which I belive only uses a wire you supply. Many have done that and are very happy. I got the kit which uses the Cruise Control stalk (from Coastal Tech) as that is probably the easiest for assembly, especially if you don't have a lot of experience taking your dash apart. The last kit would be the OEM switch that would be available in Japan and Europe. That would make it look factory installed. You can get that from Sigma Automotive, but the 2006 version isn't quite ready yet.

3) I live in San Diego so cold isn't an issue with me. There's a small electric heater which runs until the engine warms up enough to supply heat.

4) I use "B" as if I were to downshift when going down a long hill, instead of riding the brakes.

 

aaf709 got most of the good points. Since I'm in a moderately cold climate, I'll just say that the speed with which the heat comes on is one of my only complaints about this car. Since the car has a small gas engine, the amount of waste heat that gets created is smaller than most other cars. This means that it takes longer for the car to put out significant heat. For me, I just put up with the lack of heat for the first ~5 minutes; after that, the heat output is just fine. If you wanted to, you could go out and turn on the car, and turn on the heat, but, as you said, your fuel efficiency would suffer and, also, I think it would take longer for the car to warm up in that state. As far as I can tell, the ceremic (electric) heaters (that are supposed to help before the engine warms up) don't put out any significant heat.

If you do a search, you can find out A LOT more about "B mode," but I'll just give you the executive summary. In addition to some regeneration, the B mode also uses the compression of the engine to slow down the car; think of it as "down shifting" in a conventional car. The braking is more efficient, since more of the kinetic energy of car's motion is stored in the battery. Basically, you should use it only if you're coming down a big mountain for a long amount of time. It saves some wear on the brakes, but most of the braking that you'll do in normal situations is "regenerative braking," and not "friction braking." I would guess that ~50% of Prius owners are in a situation where they will never have to use it, and another ~40% will only need to use it about once a year.

 

alrightie!! another michigander. having lived in Port Huron, i understand the cold temp concerns. another thing to consider, if you crank the temp control to "max heat" it will engage a pair of small electric heaters that will run until the engine heats up.

however, you might want to look at the several block heater options. very significant mileage increases have been acomplished by many here including Henry, who lives less than 10 miles from me in a very mild climate. your climate would yield even better results. radiator blocking would also be an option for you. there is virtually no risk of overheating in the Prius because the engine efficiency is so good.

enjoy your car and welcome to Priuschat

 

Howdy efrench -

This site sure helped me out too! I'm still a newbie myself, having only had the car for 2.5 weeks now. But just about all you answers (not the cold weather stuff though!) can be found either on my Owner FAQ page, or my mods page. Knock yourself out:

http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius.htm

 

Am I correct that adding the EV switch invalidates the warranty?

 

no you are not

 

I'd also look for an engine block heater. That might also remedy some of the issues a lot of us have with reduced mileage in the winter.

 

My understanding is that this gives Toyota the chance to backout on a warranty repair. But first they woulld have to prove that the modification was related to whatever the original warranty complaint was about. So for instance, if your car developed a bad bearing in the real axle, it would be very hard to connect that to an EV mod. However, if one went to Toyota with a fried steering wheel wire harness, they might fight you.
Attorneys out there, do I have this correct?

That said, many owners use a more discrete, less obvious switch, like the headlight stalk or cruise control switch. I like the idea of the cruise control swich because one doesn't lose any functionality. Howver, I probably will never use the cellphone switches and would be happy to use them for an EV switch if this is relatively easy.

 

it does not matter what type of EV switch you use. it does not invalidate anything. realize that the Prius comes with EV switch installed at the factory standard under other international flavors of the Prius.

its too bad you are so far from two (that i know of) Toyota mechanics that will install an EV switch for you. unfortunately, neither are in your area. you might want to query your local dealer to see if they are willing to do it for you if you dont want to do it yourself. it is a very easy install and many many many here have done so without a single issue arising from those installs

 

I agree Dave, a stock switch installed properly by owner or by a Toyota certified mechanic should be accepted without question. The warranty does not cover: improper repairs, alteration or tampering including the installation of non-genuine Toyota accessories and installation of non-genuine Toyota parts.

 

Hello Fellow Michigander:

Congratulations on your new Prius! It is so exciting when the car actually arrives!

I have found that my car will be sufficiently warm and ready for the road in about 5 minutes, with the temp set at the maximum warmth, defrosters on and the fan set at high. Then, when I get in, I reset the temperature to 67 and turn the fan on low. That usually keeps the windows clear and me warm. So far, I have had no issues with the car starting in any condition.

As far as I can tell, the B is just short for Base, meaning the shift lever automatically jumps back to the base position even while you are in drive, or neutral or reverse. It's not an actual transmission setting. I'm not a fan of shifting into neutral while driving, but I don't know if it would affect the mpgs going down hill. I don't see why it would, but I don't really know.

- L.

 

????

Uh, no.

Every Prius driver should read this written by Hobbit:
http://techno-fandom.org/%7Ehobbit/cars/b-mode.html

 

-- I see several post about disabling the backup beep...

I did not shut mine off. It was initially annoying, but I got used to it and after living with it for almost two years, I actually like that feature. If the ICE is off, it's really useful to have the reminder that you are in reverse.

-- Next it appears that all i would need to do to enable an EV mode

Hmmm... have not done this either, a warm car on a warm day does the EV mode perfectly well (for me).

-- I live in Michigan

God love ya!

-- Is there a way to "pre-heat" a Prius?

Ugh... what a waste of oil! My car sits outside often in those temps, just so you know. The inside defroster has weak electric elements in it that will clear the inside fog right away. The outside ice is best done with your scrapper. The Prius warms up pretty quickly, if you are driving, thanks to the thermos for the coolant. People say the block heater option is a really good way to get the car up to temp quickly and save even more oil.

-- Does the Prius have any issue starting or driving in etreme cold?

Tested mine at -9F... no problem at all.

- why is there the "B" position on the shifter?

The Prius has no transmission, per say, so you can't "downshift" down a steep grade. "B" simulates downshifting with engine braking. The ONLY time you need the B mode is going down a REALLY long, steep incline. I think there is only one part of I-75 in Kentucky where I *might* have used it. I've used it in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, returning from the summit at the TN/NC border. I used it in California coming down from a mountain. It's really nothing to get worked up over... in almost 40,000 Prius miles, I've probably used B mode for maybe 50 miles total. If you see a sign that say "Use Low Gear" and you car starts to speed up too much... switch to B Mode. You'll NEVER use it in Michigan or Ohio!

- Thanks for your help I am sure I will have more questions soon.

Read the FAQ and get used to using the search functions! You won't ask anything that 100,000 other people haven't asked already I answered because I'm in Michigan and there are still relatively few Prius drivers here.

Here's some Michigan consumption figures for ya to chew on...
http://prius.w8kc.com

 

Thanks for the kind response.

Actually I went out to the car to investigate after posting my last post and found the B mode. Living in Michigan, I could drive the car for my whole life without ever needing it. (Also, I avoided the 8 month waitlist by buying it on e-bay, thereby missing any tutorial a dealer might have given.) I'm glad for the education though, because it might come in handy on an upcoming trip to Pittsburg.

- L.

 

L -

It is a bit of an odd thing, that B mode. And it is probably the least-understood, user-selectable item on the car! Even if we never use it, it IS nice to know what the heck it is there for.
In my Rav4EV, it provides some serious regen (the B is for "braking"). I'd hoped for the same in this car, but no luck! In the Rav, I can use it to slow via pure regen from freeway speeds down to a 25mph exit in a relatively short stretch of road. I only use my brakes to come to a stop.