Toyota and Lexus hybrid traction battery diagnostic App
Dr. Prius / Dr. Hybrid is an App developed to assist professional Toyota/Lexus hybrid repair shop and owners to examine/monitor the health of the vehicles High Voltage battery. This App turns your mobile device into a professional diagnostic tool/system that would normally cost thousand of dollars and difficult to use. Our Dr. Prius/Dr. Hybrid App is trusted and used by 125+ professional repair shops around the world. User friendly and easy to use, makes the Dr. Prius App the #1 choice of professionals and home users
Dr. Prius perform test and provides access to all the relevant battery information to quickly help identify problems with a simple touch on the screen of your smartphone, do not fall victim to bad battery, test the battery and print the certificate to prove the health of your hybrid. Dr. Prius means peace of mind and saves your money!
Note: This app requires a Bluetooth OBD plug in interface to communicate with your hybrid vehicle, please see What OBD2 Plug In Unit to buy page for more detailed information.
Note: Most features are free to use. The test features require in-app purchase.
Dr. Prius supported vehicle model:
1. 2020+ Prius all lineup except 4WD version
2. 2020+ Highlander hybrid
3. 2017-2019 Prius Prime Plug-In
4. 2016-2019 Prius Gen4 One, Two, Two Eco, Three(Lithium) and Four(Lithium)
5. 2012-2015 Prius Plug-In
6. 2009-2015 Prius Gen3, Prius V
7. 2003-2009 Prius Gen2
8. 1997-2003 Prius Gen1 (partial support)
9. Auris
10. Aqua
11. Prius C
12. Feilder hybrid
13. Axio hybrid
14. Camry Hybrid
15. Avalon Hybrid
16. Highlander Hybrid
17. Lexus CT200h
18. Lexus ES300h
19. Lexus HS250h
20. Lexus RX400h
21. Lexus RX450h
22. Lexus GS450h
23. Lexus LS600h
24. Lexus UX250h
25. CHR Hybrid
26. 2006 Estima Hybrid (partial support on Android and Amazon Fire)
27. 2006+ Estima Hybrid (full support on Android and Amazon Fire)
Find the trouble battery blocks:
Android - Find out the remaining life of the Prius traction battery:
iOS - Find out the remaining life of the Prius traction battery:
2017 Prius Gen4 Lithium battery life expectancy test:
2017 Prius Gen4 Lithium battery dagnostic:
Easiest way to find out problem block(s):
Promotion video:
Prius Lithium upgrade
Check out the one and only lithium upgrade pack for NiMH hybrid vehicle ProjectLithium.com
Taking a look at what the cutting edge lithium chemistry can offer to your aging Prius!!
Feedback
Thank you for your support! If you have any questions and any feedback, please feel free to contact us at: support@PriusApp.com
Dr. Prius is available on Android, iOS and Amazon platforms, however some cheap Android devices may have a low quality Bluetooth interface that cause random disconnection, it will generate frustration while a long test got interrupted.
2. Why is bluetooth OBD2 adapter better than WiFi OBD2 adapter?
WiFi OBD2 adapter has to go through extra steps in order to be connected, also it often interrupt internet conneciton and yield very bad user experience.
3. Why is Dr. Prius trys to reconnect multiple times during test?
That usually means you have too many Apps running in the background fighting resource with the bluetooth or WiFi connection. Or it could be other nearby Bluetooth device(s) trying to hijack/interference the wireless connection.
4. How do I know if my bluetooth OBD2 adapter would work?
Simply connect the adapter to your car, pair it with your device and then run Dr. Prius, Dr. Prius will attempt to connect to your OBD2 3 times, if for some reasons fail, Dr. Prius will show you exactly what went wrong during the process.
5. Will performing the Life Expectancy test hurt my car?
Don't worry, Prius is drive by wire, means even if you pedeal to the metal the car is not actually spinning the wheel and doing burn out, it simply charging up the battery using the energy from the engine.
6. The engine kick-in during the last step of life expectancy test, will that affect the result of the test?
The latest code has taken "engine kick-in" into consideration therefore the result will most likely intact.
7. Where is the monitor page recording goes to?
The monitor log is storing in the "BatteryTestHistory" folder at the root of your device, or simply search for BatteryMonitorLog.csv when connecting your device to a computer.
8. What is the green, orange and red signify on the voltage blocks means?
Each battery blade has a safe voltage range from 6-9 volts, outside that range will cause tiny degradation to the battery chemistry, orange and red color is therefore used to indicate that voltage is outside the absolute safe zone.
9. What is the "Override battery temperature" for in special feature page?
If noise level is not a problem, you can keep the battery running cooler during those hot summer days and prolong the battery life dramatically, heat is the number one enemy of battery!
10. Why do you came up with Dr. Prius App?
With thousands of Prius out of warranty everyday, average consumer need an easy way to access the battery information, we believe that most of the general battery information should be free to the public and customers could choose to pay for more advanced test features to inspect the battery health further.
Feature request
Please send your feature request to feedback@PriusApp.com
ELM327 OBD2 Adapter: The Clone Wars
Nothing can be worse than waking up in the morning and seeing a one-star review from a user claiming my app isn't working. Luckily my friends and loyal users help me identify that 90% of the problems are caused by bad clones out there flooding the market, those bad clones lure users with unbelievable low prices but the results never end well... at least for Dr. Prius App and other hybrid-specific Apps like Hybrid Assistant.
It's a misconception that whatever works for Torque App should also work for Dr. Prius, the reality is, to get to the battery specific information, the OBD2 adapter must have the ability to "set message header" to a different ECU address, while other generic Apps only targeting the main ECU to retrieve very basic vehicle information like speed, rpm, coolant temperature.. etc. So with that, I decided to buy all the cheap clone adapters and see for myself, you, my friend, just sit back and enjoy the show.
PS: Most of the adapters are for Android only, iOS users please jump to the bottom of the page.
The tool/App that I use for testing
1. ELM327 Identifier 2. Elm327 OBD Terminal 3. Dr. Prius App 4. Hybrid Assistant App 5. Torque App
Mini Junk
This expensive adapter claims to support bluetooth 4.0 and all OBD protocols.
Yeah right! this is another junk adapter that is being packaged in a tiny and beautiful space-grey semi-transparent case, however, it is far from usable and it does not have the ability to switch between ECUs, I've tried it on both iOS and Android devices with the same disappointing result. The only App that works for this adapter is called "Mini OBD II" App, it is nothing more than a proxy to the basic vehicle information.
No Name Junk
This no-name Junk is sharing the same packaging as the previous Mini Junk.
It has a nice transparent blue finished, and it "looks like" it is able to switch between ECUs, however in the end it failed to retrieve any battery-related information from both Prius Gen2 and Gen3. Please browse away whenever you see this packaging, I believe they are from the same company that produces defective/un-tested products.
Mother of all Junks
This particularly cheap clone has dominated the market for many years and it's absolutely disgusting, there is a real ELM327 version out there but with a more expensive/realistic price tag.
Definitely one of the worst adapters, it doesn't even support most of the basic OBD command from v1.2 all the way to v2.3, it might work with a few simple OBD apps but definitely not for Dr. Prius.
OBD2 mini with ON/OFF switch
This is a weird adapter that kind of works.
This adapter with On/Off switch has a tendency to losing connection, on top of that it is missing info in every response (missing number of additional bytes at the beginning of each payload). I was able to make it work for Dr. Prius, however, I still do not recommend using this adapter.
GNTOP - almost there
This adapter comes with a nice acrylic case and instruction, it almost passes the test...
My first impression with this adapter is pretty good, it feels like this manufacturer/distributor spent time in branding and packaging, it works for most of the part but unfortunately, it has this weird bug that preventing some data from being retrieved consistently.
Note: This adapter can work with Dr. Prius but is missing DTC error code data, people actually give me one-star reviews for this reason...
Bait and switch Junks
You will find these packages on the internet everywhere, however only a handful of sellers are actually selling the good stuff, so please make sure you see double-layer PCB from the product pictures Update 07/11/2018 - After a couple of one-star user reviews, I found that even a dual-layer PCB could be a bad clone, at this time I don't want to approve any OBD2 adapter in this form factor, it feels like someone from the Chinese factories is watching this post and changing their strategy to counter back, not cool, not recommend and buy at your own risk! Update 06/09/2018 - Thanks to our friend Alexandr from Belarus, we actually found a good clone on AliExpress that is cheap and works well (as of 6/8/2018), be sure to pick the BLUE or WHITE adapter NOT the black with MINI on it. Please be aware that this seller recently swaps the black adapter with a bad clone that doesn't work at all, NOT COOL! AliExpress OBD2 adapter for Android
BlueDriver - expensive orphan
I got quite a few requests from users asking if BlueDriver can work, well... The quick answer is NO, even after spending $100 bucks.
Turns out BlueDriver can only work with it own proprietary App using their own proprietary protocols (not ELM327 compatible)
Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent adapter on its own but the story ends there, I have even contacted their technical support and confirmed that it is a closed-loop system that will not work with any other ELM327 software, sorry!
Expensive adapters not always good - OBDLink LX and MX
If you believe expensive items are always good, think again..
I've received 50/50 praises/complaints about this OBDLink adapter that I had to purchase myself despite the expensive price.
Well, turns out this is a really fast adapter but all the good things pretty much stop there. The manufacturer claims to support “both Android and iOS,” however with iOS, it can only run with its own App, this is due to it's last-generation Bluetooth hardware isn't compatible with the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). Also, I found it frustrating to pair it with Android devices, I think you have to click the connect button either at the right timing or with the right duration to make it discoverable by your Android devices, overall, I would not recommend this fast adapter to users.
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H9S71LW/
An adapter that you can trust!
I got this PanLong OBD2 adapter from Amazon thinking I could return it anytime, and surprisingly that never happened in the past two years. This adapter is the work horse of all my developing and testing efforts.
Open up the case and see for yourself how beefy it is compared to any other clone mini, however their new adapter in red color is defective and won't work for Dr. Prius App or Hybrid Assistant App.
Great adapter at a good price
Let's start with their Bluetooth for Android, it's basically the same as PanLong or any other beefy clone adapters selling at a great price, great deal!
What really impress me is their Bluetooth BLE 4 adapter out-performing many adapters in terms of speed.
Their WiFi adapter is only an “ok,” due to the fact the on/off button is confusing to use
Amazon US: VEEPEAK OBD2 BLE for iOS and Android
AliExpress: VEEPEAK OBD2 BLE for iOS and Android
Amazon US: VEEPEAK OBD2 BLE+ for iOS and Android
The best of both worlds - iOS and Android
This affordable adapter that support both Android and iOS (BLE 4) Update 02/09/2019 I have user reports back saying the TONWON adapter from Amazon has bad quality control, he got two bad adapters in a row, thanks Clarence for the warning!
I found this "TONWON" adapter from Amazon, I also found it was being renamed to "OBDII Pro" or "VGate" on AliExpress, and as a matter of fact I don't actually know which one is the original...
It is one of the best adapters I've tested so far, it connect to both my Android and iOS beautifully. Note: Pick the one with "BLE 4.0 With iOS and Android", NOT the 3.0 or WiFi
Amazon US: TONWON OBD2 Bluetooth 4.0 for iOS and Android
AliExpress (pick Bluetooth 4.0): vGate OBD2 Bluetooth 4.0 for iOS and Android
WARNING !! NOT ALL vGate are created equally, there are older version vGate(Bluetooth 3.0) or fake vGate flooded the market, please pick the one that looks exactly like the one in below picture, the side has clear writing "Bluetooth LE 4.0 E50".
AUTOPHIX OBD2 Bluetooth Scammer for iPhone & Android
Expensive junk
This FIXD adapter cost $60 on Amazon and it is super slow and keep skipping records, although I made it to work for Dr. Prius App but I would not recommend it.
The problem with skipping records is that the test result will not be accurate and I can smell another one-star review already :(
Hybrid Assistant helpful page
Please also visit my friends at Hybrid Assitant for more helpful information:
This is it for now, I am pretty sure there are still hundreds of clone adapters out there waiting to be tested, and I am sure there are hundreds of sellers having different opinions than I do. Please feel free to reach out to me at feedback@PriusApp.com, it will be my pleasure to test/re-test your adapter and share the result with the community.
With gratitude,
Jack C.
This page is dedicated to answering one of the most frequently asked questions: How can I fix the battery on a budget?
Finding the Dead - Single Blade Replacement
If your hybrid battery is showing error code other than P0A80, chance are, one or multiple battery blades need replacement.
The bad battery blade(s) can be easily identified by running a full battery test or life expectancy test.
Repair shops have a starting rate of $500 USD minimum for this service and parts. Alternatively, you could DIY and save the money towards your next car, Please read the following notes and precautions before moving forward:
1. First and foremost, you should have basic electrical knowledge, Without some base electronic experience or knowledge, by touching the + and - on a high voltage battery pack could result in injures and may even cause death.
2. You should disconnect the orange servicei plug before moving forward with the repair. This will reduce the battery voltage from 200v into the 100v range.
3. You should only repair the battery pack with used blades in similar capacity. Be sure to use battery replacement blades closest in mAh. You cannot use a 3000mAh battery with a 6500mah battery. Doing so may result in error code(s).
4. Reserve a good half day to perform the repair, take your time and do it right. (just FYI a professional can repair a Gen 2 pack in 60 min, 90 min on Gen3 pack.)
5. If you have any questions or concerns, PriusChat.com is the best place to look for answers and to post your questions. There are also many YouTube video available to guide you through the process.
6. Once the repair has been completed, drive the car gracefully for the first couple of days and let the NiMH battery blades balance themselves with this break in period.
If your Toyota/Lexus Hybrid is experiencing the famous P0A80 code, chance are, you can refresh and revive the NiMH battery cells by using the Prolong charger and discharger.
P0A80 is a warning code informing you the performance of the battery pack is bad. At this time the life expectancy test should result in less than 50% remaining in total capacity.
Toyota dealer or most repair shops offer you only one solution for this type of situation. A complete pack replacement that usually will result with an overall cost that is higher than the value of your vehicle.
Fortunately you could refresh/revive the battery pack with the Prolong charger and discharger, the whole refresh process takes about 3 days. Each refresh last 6~12 months, the more you drive, the less frequent you will need to refresh the battery.
If your plans are to keep your Hybrid vehicle longer, it is a great idea to replace entire battery pack. This will insure many more years of worry-free driving experience.
Green Bean Battery company was built around the core of creating a reliable reconditioned hybrid battery and extending the hybrid battery life, they have grown to create a proprietary hybrid battery reconditioning process that enable them to offer a Lifetime Warranty and go above and beyond with their customer service.
After 6 years of research, development and testing, Dr. Prius proudly presents you the Lithium Battery Upgrade solution that take your hybrid vehicle to the next level.
Dr. Prius Nexcell Lithium Upgrade Pack directly replaces your old NiMH pack and brings you the following benefits:
1. 1/2 of the weight of the original battery pack Stock NiMH battery weights 80 lbs! Dr. Prius lithium pack weight less than 40 lbs.
2. 4 times more powerful Dr. Prius Nexcell lithium pack delivers 400Amp peak power compared to 100Amp peak power from stock NiMH battery.
3. Better fuel economy with improved EV range Nexcell lithium pack maintain an optimal voltage to trick the computer in favor of electric power. Resulting in better fuel economy
4. Highest Level of safety Nexcell LiFePO4 lithium solution is proven to be safe and has been tested in extreme conditions around the world (sub-zero temperature, extreme humidity, extreme desert heat) with more than half million miles logged, test videos available on YouTube, keyword "Dr. Prius lithium test"
5. Toxic free No more hazardous chemical emitted from NiMH chemistry.
5. Affordability Nexcell Lithium Upgrade Battery replacement costs less than stock Toyota replacement! We searched and negotiated large quantities of the highest quality LiFePO4 cells and translate the saving onto customers.
