PHEV FAQ's
Driving Tips
Green Motors Inc.
The Green Motors Inc. PHEV conversion has three modes of operation:
Standard Mode
Blended Mode (Enhanced Mode)
Electric Vehicle Mode (EV Mode)
Use your charge when it best suits your drive.
You can use your electricity when you want to by turning the PHEV power switch on and off as needed. For example, you can save the charge for city streets to minimize pollution in densely populated areas.
Go slow.
Driving slow uses less power than driving fast. You will go further on a charge when driving slow.
Coasting.
Ride the brake slightly when coasting to produce more regen electricity.
- Blended Mode (Enhanced Mode)
Blended Mode (Enhanced Mode) is what we call the mode that can deliver over 100 miles per gallon (MPG).
Blended Mode uses the Toyota Electric Vehicle Mode (TEV Mode) found on Prius cars sold outside of North America and enhances it by adding an auxiliary battery pack and additional software. Our Blended Mode minimizes the use of the gas engine and maximizes the use of the electric drive.
You may also hear this mode called "Try EV Mode." In this mode the gas engine continues to operate from time to time whenever the car's computer determines it is needed.
Cars that come from Toyota equipped with the TEV Mode have an on-off push button switch to the left of the steering wheel labeled "EV."
Other companies also sell products to provide TEV Mode. Our TEV Mode will continue to work if a second manual TEV switch is installed in the car.
TEV Mode is meant to be used when stuck in traffic jams and other situations where slow, start and stop progress is desired without the gas engine running. This reduces vehicle emissions.
Our Blended Mode improves on TEV Mode by providing more power for the electric drive
Limitations of Blended Mode
Blended Mode operation will be reduced or denied under these conditions:
When the car speed exceeds 34 MPH (55 KPH)
Pressing too hard on the accelerator pedal
Climbing a steep hill
Too cold outside, typically 50° F (10° C)
When prohibited by the Toyota computer. This can appear to be random.
PHEV System Modes
- Standard Mode
Standard Mode means the car functions the same as an un-modified Prius car. The Owner's Manual describes how to operate the car in Standard Mode.
- Electric Vehicle Mode (EV Mode)
Electric Vehicle Mode (EV Mode) is a completely electric mode of operation. In EV Mode the gas engine will not operate. Only the electric drive is used to propel the car.
Our PHEV controller can be programmed to allow Blended Mode or EV Mode or both modes of operation.
System Controls and Selecting the Mode of Operation
The PHEV system is controlled by two switches:
PHEV on-off power switch
EV switch
The PHEV on-off switch is a two position rocker switch that is lighted when "on."
The EV switch is a push button switch that turns off the gas engine.
These switches are used to turn the PHEV system on and off and to select the mode of operation.
Note: If you are concerned about the safety of the PHEV system or you do not want to use the PHEV system, turn the PHEV power switch "off."
The PHEV power switch is in the "off" position when the red LED in the switch is not lighted. The switch is in the "on" position when the red LED is illuminated.
- Selecting Standard Mode
The car is in Standard Mode when the PHEV power switch is "off" and the EV switch has not been pressed.
To enter Standard Mode:
Turn the PHEV power switch off. Do not press the EV switch.
- Selecting Blended Mode
Blended Mode is "on" when the PHEV power switch is "on" and the EV switch has not been pressed.
To enter Blended Mode:
Turn the PHEV power switch on
To leave Blended Mode:
Turn the PHEV power switch off
or Press the EV switch to enter EV Mode
- Selecting EV Mode
EV Mode is "on" whenever the EV Switch is pushed.
To enter EV Mode:
Turn "on" the PHEV power switch.
Turn "on" the car by pressing the car's "Power" switch. Wait for the car's green "Ready" light to illuminate on the dash then
Press the EV Switch. When pressing the EV Switch, give it a solid, deliberate push. Do not do a partial depression of the switch.
The PHEV power switch must be "on" when the EV Switch is pressed.
If the PHEV power switch is "off" when the EV Switch is pressed warning lights will appear on the dash display. The car will drive with the warning lights illuminated and EV Mode is still entered. To erase these warning lights turn "on" the PHEV power switch and re-press the EV Switch.
You can enter EV Mode (press the EV Switch) when the car is stopped or in motion. Caution! The car speed must be less than 53 MPH (84 KPH) when entering EV Mode. You will damage the car if you enter EV Mode at high speed.
To leave EV Mode:
Stop the car. When safe to do so, bring the car to a complete stop. Consider your immediate surroundings and traffic conditions. Keep your foot on the brake pedal after the car has stopped.
Put the car in Park. Push the park button on the dash. Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
Turn the car off. Push the power button on the dash to turn the car off. Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
Turn the car on. Push the power button on the dash to turn the car on. Keep your foot on the brake pedal. The car will restart in Standard Mode and typically the gas engine will start.
Place the car in drive. You can now continue driving. You are in Standard Mode when you leave EV Mode.
Low Power Warning Buzzer
When in EV Mode, a buzzer will sound when the car has about 1 mile of electricity left. Stop driving the car in EV Mode when you hear the buzzer.
CAUTION! Stop using EV Mode as soon possible when you hear the buzzer. When the electricity is all gone the car will stop moving. You have less than 1 mile (1.6 km) to find a safe place to stop your car and leave EV Mode. Don't panic or rush when leaving EV Mode. It takes about 5 seconds to perform the 5 steps listed above to leave EV Mode. Practice the procedure in quiet surroundings before doing it in traffic.