Switching from a 2019 Prius Prime to a 2023 RAV4 Prime SE brought about many improvements, but also a new challenge: finding a suitable Hybrid Car Scanner. As someone who appreciates in-depth vehicle data, especially for maximizing EV range and monitoring component temperatures, the transition highlighted a gap in OBD-II app compatibility. Like many hybrid owners, I rely on these tools for a better understanding of my vehicle’s performance and health. The quest began with the hope of carrying over my existing setup, but quickly turned into a search for new solutions for my RAV4 Prime.
Initially, Hybrid Assistant was my go-to OBD-II app, and it performed exceptionally well with the Prius Prime. Its user-friendly interface and real-time gauges for motor and inverter temperatures, along with the brake feedback indicator, were invaluable. However, upon trying to connect it to the RAV4 Prime, disappointment struck. The app failed to recognize the new vehicle. A quick check revealed that Hybrid Assistant’s vehicle profiles haven’t been updated since 2019, and unfortunately, neither the Rav4 Hybrid nor the Rav4 Prime are listed as supported vehicles. This suggests that Hybrid Assistant might no longer be actively developed or supported for newer models, leaving users like myself searching for alternatives.
Turning to Car Scanner Pro seemed like the next logical step. This app is known for its extensive features and broad compatibility, and while it does connect to the RAV4 Prime and offers a wealth of data, it falls short in a few key areas compared to what Hybrid Assistant provided for the Prius. Specifically, sensor readouts for motor stator temperatures, inverter temperatures, motor generator torque and speed, and cumulative EV energy consumption per mile are missing. These were crucial metrics I relied on for efficient driving and vehicle monitoring.
Like other advanced OBD-II apps such as Torque Pro, Car Scanner Pro does offer the flexibility to define custom Parameter IDs (PIDs). Hoping to bridge the data gap, I explored online resources and found PID listings for both Prius and Rav4 models. However, these lists appear to be geared towards older Gen III models, and the few PIDs I tested in Car Scanner returned “no data” for my RAV4 Prime. This indicates that the PID structures are likely different for the newer RAV4 Prime, rendering the older PIDs obsolete.
It raises the question: does the 2021-2023 RAV4 Prime even have sensors for individual motor generator stators and inverter stages? While it’s hard to imagine such advanced sensors being omitted, especially considering the RAV4 Prime’s significantly higher power output compared to the Prius Prime, the lack of readily available PIDs suggests a different sensor configuration or data reporting method.
Therefore, the primary need is clear: a definitive list of PIDs and their corresponding equations for the 2021-2023 Rav4 Hybrid and Prime models is needed. Ideally, this list would include sensors for:
- MG1, MG2, and MG3 stator and inverter temperatures
- DC-DC converter temperature
If you have experience with hybrid car scanners and especially with the RAV4 Prime, your expertise in identifying or accessing these PIDs would be greatly appreciated. Sharing a definitive list would not only benefit me but also many other RAV4 Prime owners looking to gain deeper insights into their vehicle’s hybrid system performance.
