What is the EV Button and how do I get it?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(razzledazzlebee @ Mar 4 2007, 02:24 AM) [snapback]399822[/snapback]</div>

Search:

"EV button"
"OEM EV button"
"Installing EV" or
"EV Installation"

 

I ran into the same problem recently when searching for the EV mode / button. The board wouldn't let me search for only "EV" and when I tried "EV button" (or anything with more than one search term), I would get "The administrator has enabled flood control - try again."

Search for "button" and you'll get lots of hits for EV mode. I just ordered my kit from Sigma last week :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(razzledazzlebee @ Mar 4 2007, 02:24 AM) [snapback]399822[/snapback]</div>

It's not standard in the USA but it is in some other countries. Where it is standard it is on the dash under the steering wheel. I hardly ever use mine but I do if I want to move the car only a few yards - for example, if I move it on my drive. If you use it on the road it will go back to the ICE when you reach about 28MPH or after about a quarter of a mile, depending on the state of your main battery. I doubt if there's any significant improvement in MPG and I would not advise anyone to get it installed if you haven't got one.

 

Just to add that what you are doing when you activate the EV mode is to do a quick short to ground from one pin on a plug on the far right side of the dash. That being said, there are four different ways peope achieve this:

1. Get the OEM button from Sigma Automotive. Cost is about $65.
2. Get the mod from Coastal Electronics. This uses the "Cancel" part of the Cruise Control stalk. Cost is about $65.
3. Install your own button any type and anywhere. Cost is about $5.
4. Modify the "Flash to Pass" on the light stalk. Free

The first one uses the button that is on the Prius sold in countries other than North America and looks the best. It also is more involved in installation (take a look at Darell's site for more on the installation.

Coastal's is easier to install; pulling the "Cancel" for over 2 seconds (so it doesn't effect normal Cruise Control use) activates the EV mode. The company is a bit dicey about shipping. If it's in stock it can arrive quickly; if it isn't you can have a wait (and have a hard time contacting).

Installing your own button gives you the choice of where it goes and how it'll look. You also have to figure out where the ground will be (not a big problem).

While the "Flash to Pass" is free, you do lose that function, but only during the day. You can still "Flash to Pass" at night (although the EV mode will try to kick in as well).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(razzledazzlebee @ Mar 3 2007, 11:24 PM) [snapback]399822[/snapback]</div>

Hi R/D/B! I loved your pictures of your new Prius, especially the one with your shadow B). I got an EV mode kit from Coastaletech and installed it with much glee. I didn't know about "priuschat.com" then so I was going without much understanding. The basic advantage is to be able to drive short (maybe a mile) distances under 34 MPH and without much demand on the acceleration. I called it "stealth mode" and my kids laughed at me....(found out on PC that it is indeed called that by others in the know). I use it mainly to impress the neighbors on how quiet my car is when I leave or come home, show off to a curious looker the electric drive, sneak up on someone in a parking lot, etc. So you see that it is a valuable asset to any Prius owner nerd :lol: I would definately get one again. Just don't over use the thing.

Read the threads for complete info.

Lee

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Mar 5 2007, 01:34 AM) [snapback]399904[/snapback]</div>

A "cons" about the Coastal Electronics's mod you need to hold and keep the CC cancel lever for more than 2 seconds.
So, it does't work instantly.

Is my understanding correct?

Ken@Japan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Mar 4 2007, 11:00 AM) [snapback]399942[/snapback]</div>

You are most correct. This is so the CC cancel lever will operate normally if pulled less than 2 seconds. The other methods will activate the EV mod right away, assuming that the conditions are right for EV.

Patience and Prius both start with "P." Frankly I don't have a problem with waiting a whole 2 seconds.