Well, I did it. I actually completed a more-than-trivial mod to my Prius. This evening, I installed a CAN View system. Prius haters, run for cover now. Actually, I think even the hardest-core Prius haters will have to admit, this thing is cool!
The CAN View unit is about the size of a large digital camera, and when installed, sits under the driver's seat, secured atop the NAV unit (if you have that).
So what does it do? Essentially, one side of the unit (output) is wired in series between the NAV unit and the multi-function display (MFD). The input is a cable that you thread under the door sill molding, up into the dash. It plugs into the OBD2 port, and remains there (it can easily be pulled off and moved aside for service visits).
Why?
Well, the Prius already presents a fairly large amount of data compared to a regular car. CAN View dynamically taps the ECU and presents an amazing range of customizable, variable-format displays -- enough to keep any geek happy for years.
This is how the display photographed this evening in the dark. After this, I went no flash, which makes great images of the screen, but you can't see the surroundings. For those of you who've never been in a Prius, this display sits atop the middle of the dash. The normal instrument cluster is about 18 inches to the left.
Here is an example of the ten or so standard Toyota screens:
CAN View starts with this menu screen:
You can have multiple custom graphic screens like this (the bars in the open spaces are dynamic, of course):
Or this:
Or you can set up custom pages of data like this:
Or trip data, like this:
But one of the very best features is this: direct access to diagnostic codes – no more need to go find a scan tool if the dreaded MIL/CEL comes on. You just jump over to this screen:
And there’s more!
You can probably tell, I like this thing! It’s going to take me a while to set up all my custom screens. First up will be monitoring coolant, transmission, and inverter temps so I can block the grille just enough to boost mileage without raising temps dangerously (in cold weather, proper grille blocking in this car will get you a 3-5 mpg gain).
Shoot, this thing is cool.
Kudos to Norm up in British Columbia who makes these things one at a time, to order – pure genius!
The CAN View unit is about the size of a large digital camera, and when installed, sits under the driver's seat, secured atop the NAV unit (if you have that).
So what does it do? Essentially, one side of the unit (output) is wired in series between the NAV unit and the multi-function display (MFD). The input is a cable that you thread under the door sill molding, up into the dash. It plugs into the OBD2 port, and remains there (it can easily be pulled off and moved aside for service visits).
Why?
Well, the Prius already presents a fairly large amount of data compared to a regular car. CAN View dynamically taps the ECU and presents an amazing range of customizable, variable-format displays -- enough to keep any geek happy for years.
This is how the display photographed this evening in the dark. After this, I went no flash, which makes great images of the screen, but you can't see the surroundings. For those of you who've never been in a Prius, this display sits atop the middle of the dash. The normal instrument cluster is about 18 inches to the left.
Here is an example of the ten or so standard Toyota screens:
CAN View starts with this menu screen:
You can have multiple custom graphic screens like this (the bars in the open spaces are dynamic, of course):
Or this:
Or you can set up custom pages of data like this:
Or trip data, like this:
But one of the very best features is this: direct access to diagnostic codes – no more need to go find a scan tool if the dreaded MIL/CEL comes on. You just jump over to this screen:
And there’s more!
You can probably tell, I like this thing! It’s going to take me a while to set up all my custom screens. First up will be monitoring coolant, transmission, and inverter temps so I can block the grille just enough to boost mileage without raising temps dangerously (in cold weather, proper grille blocking in this car will get you a 3-5 mpg gain).
Shoot, this thing is cool.
Kudos to Norm up in British Columbia who makes these things one at a time, to order – pure genius!
