Daox's 2004 Toyota Prius Build Thread - Page 8 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Daox · 08-24-2009, 09:59 AM

Finally did another mod to the Prius yesterday afternoon. But, it wasn't a FE mod.

I just got my Dice ipod hookup for the Prius and got it installed. It was pretty easy overall.

Here are the parts.

First, rip the dash apart. The newer cars are actually much better about this than older ones. Pretty much everything snaps on/off. I did have to snake my hand around to the back of the radio to insert the plug into it. Thankfully, I have small hands.

Last, I put the Dice in the glove box. I'm still not sure if I have it setup the way I want it since you can set it up as an additional cd player, mp3 player, or satellite. They all seem to work a bit differently and have their own pluses and minuses.

2003protege · 09-01-2009, 03:58 PM

Mod-A-Day continues!!!!!

NiHaoMike · 09-02-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

Finally did another mod to the Prius yesterday afternoon. But, it wasn't a FE mod.

I just got my Dice ipod hookup for the Prius and got it installed. It was pretty easy overall.

Here are the parts.

First, rip the dash apart. The newer cars are actually much better about this than older ones. Pretty much everything snaps on/off. I did have to snake my hand around to the back of the radio to insert the plug into it. Thankfully, I have small hands.

Last, I put the Dice in the glove box. I'm still not sure if I have it setup the way I want it since you can set it up as an additional cd player, mp3 player, or satellite. They all seem to work a bit differently and have their own pluses and minuses.

Care to explain exactly what that device does? As I understand it, it plugs into the radio, then you plug in a USB drive with MP3s on it, similar to what's available in the 2010 Insight. Does it support one touch playlists and/or symbolic links? (In other words, how well does it integrate into the existing interface?)

Daox · 09-02-2009, 08:19 PM

The device integrats ipod control into the existing radio/mfd (multifunction display).

It has a few different modes of operation, and I honestly haven't used it a ton. It was more for my wife who uses the car more than I do. She normally just puts it on random and skips songs she doesn't want to listen to at the moment. I do know you can use it to sort by artist, album, and song. It also allows you to control things from the ipod too if you want. I'll see if I can't get some pictures for ya.

drewwitlin@hotmail.com · 09-02-2009, 10:51 PM

I LOVE those wheel covers, very factory looking, wish they made them for the Accord

Daox · 09-03-2009, 09:26 AM

The wheel covers really aren't covers. Its more of a ring on the outside of the alloy wheels. Its kind of an odd thing.

I should also mention about the Dice that if you use it's aux input, I don't think you get the added functionality of sorting by artist/album/song.

bwilson4web · 10-22-2009, 09:59 AM

Interesting, you're NHW20 mileage and my NHW11 and ZVW30 mileage are all hitting in the same region, ~52 MPG. But I have one suggestion, perhaps this tank entry needs modification?

2009-08-10 362 mi. 6.67 US gal $56.2 54.27 US MFD = 56.2

Not impossible but $56.20/gal seems a little high. <grins>

Have you gone over cold weather mods: (1) block heater, and (2) lower grill block?

Bob Wilson

Daox · 10-22-2009, 10:16 AM

Haha, yeah thanks for pointing out that error.

I have not done any mods that aren't documented here yet. I have a block heater, its just not installed yet. I'd also LOVE to get a grill block made, but again, its not done yet.

bwilson4web · 10-22-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

. . . I have a block heater, its just not installed yet. I'd also LOVE to get a grill block made, but again, its not done yet.

The block heater is pain to install. If you can make one of the Milwaukee Hybrid Group meetings, they have a lot of folks experienced with the process. Wayne Mitchell is the expert in block heater installations.

I've tried two styles and continue to use a water noodle:

Bob Wilson

Daox · 10-22-2009, 12:25 PM

When I was under the car changing the oil for the first time I found the hole pretty easy. I don't think the heater install will be much trouble. Thankfully, I have smaller hands that can contort to get around a full engine bay.

For the grill block, I'd really like to continue my work on the Prius with what I started on the Matrix. I had a few problems with the mechanical side of the Arduino controlled actuated grill block, so we'll see if I ever have time to finish that up.