Most efficient A/C mode?

[alevinemi]

This is my first summer with the Prius, and temps have been hitting the 90s lately, and my 50+MPG has dropped to 47ish.

I've never owned a car with a thermostat before. Is there a 'most efficient' way to run the A/C (other than just turning up the temp)?

Should it be in recycled mode, fresh mode, manual override of thermostat, etc?

I have also noticed that it is harder to glide when it is hot out, even if SoC is 4+ bars. The engine is much more willing to engage - sometimes skipping electric-only mode entirely, so if I don't hit glide first try, I can't just back off a bit. Is there any explanation for this.

-->Adam

[patsparks]

Use auto and recycle. Do use fresh when first getting in the car and it's hot inside, then switch to recycle once it's cooler inside the car than out. Set temperature as high as you feel comfortable. Accept that even gas only cars use more gas with the AC on. Enjoy.

[timberwolf]

Also if you get too hot inside your car, most likely so will your HV battery as the air vent for drawing in cooling air is beside the rear seatback. I don't know know what temperature the HV battery finds comfortable though.

[hyo silver]

Rather than an ideal 'mode', a few tips to increase efficiency:

A higher fan speed will make it feel cooler than it is, so that helps a bit.

If you're coasting down hill and the battery's full, adjust the air to 'max cold' temporarily to take advantage of the 'free' energy.

When you first start out, roll down all the windows to let the hot air blow out, then start the ac.

Side window visors let you leave a small gap for the heat to escape, without making it obvious you left the windows open. They'll keep out most of an unexpected shower, but the bugs will still find their way in.

[Shawn Clark]

Off.

That's the most efficient AC mode. It is not the most comfortable.

I don't use auto. Instead I will use temp control but manually set the blower on the 1st or 2nd setting when it is too warm or stop and go traffic requires AC. At higher blower settings the ICE tends to turn on at lights.

[zonie911]

Here in middle Tennessee, "the bowl of humidity, South", it gets really hot.........I leave my ac on auto, set on 74 degrees. I know my mpg will suffer, but I won't as much.
I just let the computer do the controling.

[Genoz World]

SHAWN - OOUCH. it's 91 degrees here in hollywood today. come on..............

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by Genoz World

SHAWN - OOUCH. it's 91 degrees here in hollywood today. come on..............

It's been a bit toasty here too. I have the home AC at 81 F. We've been in the 90's for the past seven straight days. Today was 96. I drove across the metro area today (interstate) at 91 F w/ 60% humidity. No AC, window cracked, 57 mpg for the round trip. It's no problem as long as the vehicle is moving. I run the AC for the kids though.

When I was in Texas I would do 5K runs at lunch with the sun beating down, mercury well over 100. Had to cut my pace back considerably though... We had one stretch of over 30 days that hit 100 F. After getting accustomed to 110 F days, I feel like a sissy complaining about high 90's.

[ETP]

Originally Posted by Genoz World

SHAWN - OOUCH. it's 91 degrees here in hollywood today. come on..............

102 for 3 days and I rolled the windows down. I have done this for 6 years with my Civic hybrids. When my wife is in the car the AC goes on.

[patsparks]

Pussies!
I drove across the Nulabour Plain in my Prius, the temperature outside was a lovely 48 degrees celsius. (118.4 f)