I just installed the Coastal Tech EV mod a couple of days ago. BTW, if you're installing yourself, make sure to get pin 27 in deep enough. It took me a couple of tries... Most folks here say they use it sparingly, to tool around parking lots, etc. I have a 2.5 mile commute to work, and I've come up with a use for it I haven't seen here: I use it to simulate stage 4 operation before the engine temp is high enough to enter stage 4. In stage 4 the ICE will shut off when the accelerator is disengaged, but before that it won't until the car comes to a stop. So, before stage 4, I pulse up to a speed below 34 MPH, then engage EV mode to turn off the ICE and glide down to a lower speed. The pulse phase keeps the battery from getting low, and I'm not using the electric motor to drive, just canceling all arrows to glide. Has anyone else tried this? Does anyone think using it that much could cause damage or undo wear and tear? I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks!
I wouldn't say it simulates stage 4 as much as it allows you to force the ICE off in stage 2 or 3. But terminology aside, what you describe is my primary use of the EV switch.
You can certainly, and effectively, use it that way. And I sometimes do. But if you're pulsing up to 34mph anyway I'd suggest just extending the pulse up to 35mph and then you don't need to use the EV button even in S3.
Thanks for the feedback guys! I didn't realize that the ICE would turn off when the accelerator is let off in stage 3 at 35 MPH or above. I guess I've seen it happen but didn't make the connection. Thanks for the tip!
I use it as you've described, and also for parking lot and driveway repo's. But mostly I use ev mode to allow a more "normal" acceleration rate for stealth driving over short distances. I've got a couple situations where a turn and a stop are so close that it pays to travel the distance on electic power, but the constraints on acceleration in stealth mode make it unreasonable, without ev's greater latitude on acceleration. I can drive on electric without having to concentrate so much on a slow acceleration to maintain stealth. Also use it as a bridge between glides in certain conditions, that ease those acceleration constraints too.
Like JimboK, your method pretty much describes how I use the EV button. Also, like Evan mentioned, I use the switch at below 34 mph until the coolant temp reaches 155*F at which time I go up to 35 mph or higher so I don't need the switch. At the first stop I come to after the coolant temp is 159*F or above, I will force S4 so I don't have to worry about the 35 mph threshold any more.
So you can force S4 by using the EV button once it gets to temp instead of letting it do the idle check? That would be very helpful to me and to all the poor souls who get stuck behind me at stop signs while I wait for the engine to shut off...
I need to clarify a little. I don't use the EV button to force S4. What I mean by forcing S4 is, lets say you are in a glide that you entered at 35 mph or above and you come to a stop such as a light or a sign. You put one foot on the brake while in drive and take your other foot and press or do a quick jab of the gas pedal just enough to fire up the engine. After a few seconds the engine will die and you will then be in S4. Again, this is all while at a complete stop.
Sorry if this is in the wrong spot... I just ordered the EV mod!!! Was wondering, what is the default speed (before the EV mod) the gas engine turns on? With the EV mod... does it mean my engine will wait till 34 mph to kick in where before it was kicking in a lot sooner? thanks for your time
It's not quite that simple. There is no default speed for the ICE, nor will it simply "wait" until 34 MPH with the switch activated. I could give you some details, but I suggest, for your sake, that you do some research on the various PC threads devoted to the subject. A basic understanding of how the car works and how the EV switch affects it is important. Otherwise, there is a strong possibility of misuse and hurting fuel economy in the process.
I have factory EV and I use it to back out of my driveway at 6.00AM and at work when I take my car out of our secure storage and park by the office after a shift patrolling. I am normally in the office anything from 10 minutes to an hour, no point running the ICE for a 30 second manoeuvre then park it. I never use EV when I'm driving on the road, I figure Toyota knew what they were doing when they programed the car.:target:
There's a threshold of b/w 50-125amps depending upon the SOC of the battery that determines when the ICE kicks on. Higher SOC and the threashold is higher. IOW, if your SOC is 75% you can often acclerate quite hard before the ICE kicks in. You can also travel further...but the SOC drops more quickly the faster you go & the further you and thus the threshold drops.
