Driving experiences with CT EV mod

Major thanks for posting these observations, Bruce.

After two months, I'm really starting to think about getting the EV switch -- I just want to be able to keep the car in EV mode without having to accellerate slowly, etc.

However, I do have a question for those who have compared the Coastel Tech EV switch and the Toyota switch (installing it with the excellent instructions Dr. Fusco and others have published):

[align=center:ec06303d75]Which is easier to install?[/align:ec06303d75]

Specifically -- I am a gump when it comes to something like this.

All opinions appreciated!

 

I had three problems installing the EV button.

1 Had to remove a dealer installed car alarm which used the
ev switch hole cover for it's led button. Next time I will specify
I want only the Toyota alarm option. They put in "Automate" and I have
permanently removed it! I set it off honking accidentally every few days.
2 Getting the wire across under the dashboard. I removed more dashboard than others, and then it got easier.
3 Getting the pin into the H14 connector. (I broke off the end of the white latch, but pins seem to stay in.) Pin was hard to push,
so you have to be very careful not to let it bend. I used 26 wire so it was
extra fragile. Had to choose 22 or 26 from my stock of wire.

Item 1 is uniquely my problem, but the other two are equally applicable to the CT or the factory EV so I doubt there's much difference in difficulty.

 

Thanks for the correction. If there is no wire across the dash behind the Nav display,
I would agree the CT mod should be easier.

Also if I was to do the factory button again I think I would just pre-order the riight pins
for the ECU plug. I think they would go in easier. For the EV button end I found
0.156 inch Molex pins worked just fine. The flat kind not the round ones.

I like my lighted button though... Now if only the display would show and "EV Mode"
indicator we would have complete Prius! I find it very disconcerting that I get beeps
at times and not at others, depending on what screen I am on.

 

Thank you, gentlemen -- just what I wanted to know.

The other reason I rather like the CT EV switch: the unlikely event that a dealer notices the OEM button and says, Hey buddy, you've voided your warranty.

[Also, I have never used Cruise Control, and doubt I ever will.]

My one thought now is: maybe wait until Coastal Dave gets the AUX-IN solution working, and then get both the CT EV and AUX-IN at the same time.

 

The Costal Tech EV switch does not interfere with Cruise Control in any way. The disadvantages are that you have to hold the stalk for 2 or 3 seconds (they say 2; it seems to me like 3) and if you are turning it is awkward to reach. These are both minor inconveniences.

It took me close to an hour, because I am a total clutz. It is very hard to get at the plug, but this applies no matter which way you implement EV.

This seems improbable. I suspect coincidence.

 

I agree, but I think it could have been shorter without interfering with the basic idea, and would have been a bit more convenient.

My first paragraph in my last post was actually in reply to Jeff, who said he likes the CT implementation in part because he never uses CC. I wanted to point out that in any case, CC is not affected. -- There may still be some lingering confusion because the beta-test version did affect the CC at slower speeds. But that glitch was fixed before the switch actually went on sale.

 

That's right -- I remember that complaint when the CT switch was first being tested. Thanks for clarifying that, Daniel!