Can I vent fresh air that is neither heated nor cooled?

raparrish · 01-18-2007, 10:00 PM

When I vent fresh air into my Prius, it seems to be always either heated or cooled, depending on the difference between outdoor temp and inside temperature setting. Sometimes I just want fresh air that is refreshingly cool, cooler than the 65 minimum on the A/C setting, for example. Is there any setting that lets outdoor air in without 'conditioning' it? Thanks for any advice.

Beryl Octet · 01-18-2007, 10:09 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ambler @ Jan 18 2007, 10:00 PM) [snapback]377555[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

When I vent fresh air into my Prius, it seems to be always either heated or cooled, depending on the difference between outdoor temp and inside temperature setting. Sometimes I just want fresh air that is refreshingly cool, cooler than the 65 minimum on the A/C setting, for example. Is there any setting that lets outdoor air in without 'conditioning' it? Thanks for any advice.
[/b]

As close as I can come to doing this is to set the temp that low and turn off the AC button on the climate screen. Or you can open a window.

8AA · 01-18-2007, 10:13 PM

I agree with the previous post with the addition of changing the fan setting to what you would like. Otherwise, the climate control system is likely to run the fan at a high speed while it tries to cool down the cabin.

jmccord · 01-18-2007, 10:14 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Jan 18 2007, 10:09 PM) [snapback]377556[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Or you can open a window.
[/b]

Beryl Octet · 01-18-2007, 10:45 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Jan 18 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]377558[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I agree with the previous post with the addition of changing the fan setting to what you would like. Otherwise, the climate control system is likely to run the fan at a high speed while it tries to cool down the cabin.
[/b]

Good point. I'm so in the habit of hitting the climate screen and setting the fan speed, especially in hot weather to avoid that initial blast, that I don't think about it. I wish the climate control software had a configuration setting for the climate control system, something like a checkbox for on/off of a "Let the passenger comfort suffer a bit but don't run the fan above medium" setting.

darelldd · 01-19-2007, 12:36 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Jan 18 2007, 07:45 PM) [snapback]377572[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I wish the climate control software had a configuration setting for the climate control system, something like a checkbox for on/off of a "Let the passenger comfort suffer a bit but don't run the fan above medium" setting.
[/b]

I wish it had two modes that were easy to switch between - fully auto matic and fully manual. Just when you think you have everything controlled manually, you notice that the AC button magically turned on again. Sigh. I mean, you can set it the way you want, but as soon as you change something, all bets are off, and it takes SO Many dang button presses that it makes me miss the two knobs or sliders of yester year. I'm just not a climate control kinda guy, I guess.

Pinto Girl · 01-19-2007, 04:55 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Jan 19 2007, 12:36 AM) [snapback]377605[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I wish it had two modes that were easy to switch between - fully auto matic and fully manual. Just when you think you have everything controlled manually, you notice that the AC button magically turned on again. Sigh. I mean, you can set it the way you want, but as soon as you change something, all bets are off, and it takes SO Many dang button presses that it makes me miss the two knobs or sliders of yester year. I'm just not a climate control kinda guy, I guess.
[/b]

I agree; my Pinto has a little knob under the dash which, when pulled, opens a dash vent and admits lots of outside air from the vents at the base of the windshield...

It would be nice to just be able to open a vent or something and have air come in...without the car second guessing what I "really" want!

I still think that three basic controls (one for recirc/not; one for hot/cold; and one for where the air comes out of the dash) is the best setup of all.

While I like, generally, the functionality of the Prius HVAC, (pressing the button for defog, being able to sit in the car with the HVAC going, and not necessarily have the engine running, etc.) the vent issue is, I think, not one of its best features.

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 01-19-2007, 05:26 PM

My wish would be that the temperature adjust buttons – on MFD and steering wheel – would still allow you to adjust the temperature up or down while the system is off.

It's an unnecessary pain to have to go to the MFD Climate Screen and then have to turn the system on – just to be able to adjust the “vent” temperature . . . and then you have to turn if off if you just want no-fan venting. AAArrrrghhhh! <_<

And yes, a setting of 'no heating' as the lowest temperature would be nice too.

donee · 01-20-2007, 09:23 AM

Hi All,

Yes, this is my pet pieve with the Prius too. Every car I have had since my Opel Manta has been WORSE in regards to low-temp ventilation. The Manta had those vents in the sucked in portion of the C pillar, and if you wanted it, you could have a gail of drying, refreshing air flowing through the cabin. The first generation Prius had that too, but it was a battery vent.

The Prius seems to be well thought out for hot temperature application and cold weather road trips, but when you are waring outdoor clothing suitable for 10 degree F, 66 degrees is too warm. And that is the lowest you can set the system and have forced air defrosting of the front windows.

It seems like they had two different control engineers working on this car. One set the P (as in PID) of the cruise control WAY high (the speed is actually underdamped - you can feel the speed ring as it overshoots the set point!), and the other set the P of the temp control way low, and compensated by not letting you set a heating mode below 66 F.

If your going on a long trip, and everybody is going to be in shirt-sleeve clothing when outside is 10 to 25 F , and you are going to set the cabin temp at 70, the car is perfect. But for commuting, one is not going to take their coat off, and running the cabin cool with ventilation to keep humidity down is the common practice. With commuting it takes too long to heat up the windshield above freezing, people just drive with the salt coating on the window, and clean it at the end of the trip soas to be ready for the next. Its typically more dangerous to use the winshield washer on a cold morning. As the windshield washer fluid evaporates out the methanol in it, the water then freezes and obscures vision.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
air conditioner: how to get fresh air into the car	avboone	Gen II Prius Main Forum	14	04-13-2008 08:53 AM
Fresh Air	Deanlu22	Gen II Prius Main Forum	2	05-24-2007 06:23 AM
Cooled seats	jmann	Gen II Prius Main Forum	6	05-01-2007 12:38 AM
A/C - Fresh / Recirculated	bondrew	Gen II Prius Main Forum	5	04-26-2007 03:11 AM
Must the AC compressor run just to get fresh air	cdavid	Gen II Prius Main Forum	5	04-17-2006 10:43 AM

01-18-2007, 10:00 PM	#1
raparrish Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	When I vent fresh air into my Prius, it seems to be always either heated or cooled, depending on the difference between outdoor temp and inside temperature setting. Sometimes I just want fresh air that is refreshingly cool, cooler than the 65 minimum on the A/C setting, for example. Is there any setting that lets outdoor air in without 'conditioning' it? Thanks for any advice.

01-18-2007, 10:13 PM	#3
8AA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 492 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I agree with the previous post with the addition of changing the fan setting to what you would like. Otherwise, the climate control system is likely to run the fan at a high speed while it tries to cool down the cabin.

01-19-2007, 05:26 PM	#8
Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,012 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	My wish would be that the temperature adjust buttons – on MFD and steering wheel – would still allow you to adjust the temperature up or down while the system is off. It's an unnecessary pain to have to go to the MFD Climate Screen and then have to turn the system on – just to be able to adjust the “vent” temperature . . . and then you have to turn if off if you just want no-fan venting. AAArrrrghhhh! <_< And yes, a setting of 'no heating' as the lowest temperature would be nice too.

01-20-2007, 09:23 AM	#9
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,244 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 54 Times in 47 Posts Friends: 0	Hi All, Yes, this is my pet pieve with the Prius too. Every car I have had since my Opel Manta has been WORSE in regards to low-temp ventilation. The Manta had those vents in the sucked in portion of the C pillar, and if you wanted it, you could have a gail of drying, refreshing air flowing through the cabin. The first generation Prius had that too, but it was a battery vent. The Prius seems to be well thought out for hot temperature application and cold weather road trips, but when you are waring outdoor clothing suitable for 10 degree F, 66 degrees is too warm. And that is the lowest you can set the system and have forced air defrosting of the front windows. It seems like they had two different control engineers working on this car. One set the P (as in PID) of the cruise control WAY high (the speed is actually underdamped - you can feel the speed ring as it overshoots the set point!), and the other set the P of the temp control way low, and compensated by not letting you set a heating mode below 66 F. If your going on a long trip, and everybody is going to be in shirt-sleeve clothing when outside is 10 to 25 F , and you are going to set the cabin temp at 70, the car is perfect. But for commuting, one is not going to take their coat off, and running the cabin cool with ventilation to keep humidity down is the common practice. With commuting it takes too long to heat up the windshield above freezing, people just drive with the salt coating on the window, and clean it at the end of the trip soas to be ready for the next. Its typically more dangerous to use the winshield washer on a cold morning. As the windshield washer fluid evaporates out the methanol in it, the water then freezes and obscures vision.