air infiltration -But Baby It's Cold Inside

[priapus08]

There is a cold draft near the floor at every climate setting including off, in my 08. Most noticeable at highway speeds, but always there.

I found the dealer installed the center floor plugs in the lower glove box. I assume to increase service life of the component. (I would hate to think they were lazy or unconcerned with doing every thing they could to assure proper delivery.)

I checked the weather strip around doors but they are probably ok.

The front dash near the steering wheel is cold to the touch even after 90 minutes on the road at 70 degrees climate setting.

My 05 did not have this problem.

I assume the problem will go away when it warms up here, in Colorado Springs, but I suspect it indicates a correctable defect somewhere.

No obvious voids or openings in the firewall, so I would appreciate hearing if you have similar issue or know a solution.

Kind Regards,

[subarutoo]

I'm usually pretty warm blooded (is that a word?), but no matter what heat setting, my feet are usually cold in my '06. My wife, who is usually colder than I, also mentions it. It's not that big a deal so I have never been back to the dealer (for anything!). But I feel the cold draft too. We're in California where the bitter winter chill can drop into the 50's or even high 40's. Can't imagine living anywhere where it gets really cold!

[kenmce]

How about get someone to crawl around on the floor with a cigarette or incense stick while you drive? See where the smoke blows. If there is a leak up in the dash you could come up with snap on cover panels to go under the dash.

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by subarutoo

We're in California where the bitter winter chill can drop into the 50's or even high 40's. Can't imagine living anywhere where it gets really cold!

You just reminded me of this:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...73&postcount=1

[efusco]

Bear with me, this'll be vague and I'm at work so can't access the proper info to give you details....
But, there's a customizable setting that the dealer, only, can adjust that closes some damper in the footwell that allows fresh air intake. You have to use the scan tool to change it. You might search around at http://john1701a.com and see if you can find info there, I vaguely remember 3 or 4 years ago that John decided to have the setting changed due to the extreme cold up there... but no promises.

If you can find the PDF floating around that includes all the dealer customizable settings it should be on that list. That may be something that could help your problem.

[Neicy]

Evan,

Does this have what you're looking for?

http://priuschat.com/forums/showpost...17&postcount=1

[efusco]

Originally Posted by Neicy

Evan,

Does this have what you're looking for?

http://priuschat.com/forums/showpost...17&postcount=1

Yup, Page 2 of that PDF at the bottom "Foot Air Leak" default is "ON", dealer can switch to "off".

[N3FOL]

I wear my steel toes with thick socks and not worry about it.

[BellaRose]

Freeeeeekin' brilliant!!!
My feet always seem to be cooler than the rest of me... this has just been amplified in my new Prius.
I thought it was something that I was just going to have to deal with.
Not so! YAY!
When my BT plate & Bumper Protector come in the mail, I'll be getting the two installed & the "foot air leak" turned OFF. Woo hoo!

[priapus08]

Well my toes are warm and my temper is a bit hot.

"foot air leak" sounds like it is broken doesn't it? Well I feel like Toyota and the dealer took a leak on my shoes. Dealer flashed the ECU e-proms for foot air leak and auto A/C compressor power. Claims it took 45 minutes of shop/tech time to accomplish closing two "doors." Of course it became my cost because it took them so long that the promised "free" fix became discounted customer paid shop time. They were in mock shock I had any notion that the change would be free.

The explanation for them charging me was that the change was a customization not a correction of defect. It finally became worth my $40 they charged, to forgo, forgive, and forget their nonsense. Shame on Toyota though. This is as ridiculous as a Bill Gates undocumented feature that MS will customize at a charge and not support.

This is my second Prius. I did not have them change this stupid setting on my '05 last time because a different service group persuaded me that it would harm my gas mileage and battery performance because the batteries would overheat and the e-prom would only take so many changes without having to charge me to replace it.

It is all nonsense of course, like the EV mode voiding warranty, it is simply a user preference not re-engineering and buying a car has become much like an adhesion contract to maintain the limited protection of warranty.

$22,000.00 U.S.D. for a car that pours untreated air on driver and passengers feet no matter what the climate control setting is silly. If it turns out that my car fogs up with five passengers and flow through air, I'll open a window I guess. I don't want to mess with it again.