Auto A/C airflow and cancelling Auto A/C

[TonyPSchaefer]

Simple post:
The Auto A/C only blows on the floor. Any attempts to chage the flow to the middle vents turns off the Auto A/C. What gives?

Additionally, I believe that the ICE runs more when the Auto A/C is on so I shut it down when the car is comfortably warm. However, when I cancel the Auto A/C, the vent is open drawing in outside air. I have found that during the winter in Chicagoland, the outside air is considerably colder than I appreciate.

So when I cancel the Auto A/C, I have to do this:
1) Cancel Auto A/C
2) Switch to Climate view
3) Change airflow to middle vents
4) Change vents to recycle
5) Turn the fan on to appropriate level (1 or 2)
6) Switch back to the Consumption Screen

Granted, I've gotten pretty good at it by now. On par with Data manipulating the screens on Star Trek: TNG, but it's still distracting and laborious.

[bookrats]

You've hit on my least favorite part of the Prius' UI.

My shorthand way of thinking of "AUTO A/C" is this:[list]AUTO A/C is the Prius trying to be smart about getting the cabin to the desired temperature.[*]However, it isn't very smart.[list]

I do notice that under AUTO A/C, the choice of which vent is used (floor, middle, both) changes depending on the temperature setting, the outside air temperature, and the cabin temperature.

Whenever you turn on AUTO A/C, and then make an adjustment to the Climate screen, the AUTO A/C indicator shuts off -- but A/C is still running. It's just telling you that "you've decided to ignore my advice, so let you heat the cabin on your own, Mr. Smarty-Pants." The settings wills stay that way until you change them yourself.

Hitting AUTO A/C a second time puts control back into the Prius' temperature computer's control. ("So, you decided to listen to my advice after all. What a surprise!")

Hitting AUTO A/C a third time turns off heating/cooling completely, leaving you with just air from the outside (unless you recirculate the air). ("Daiiiiissy, Daiiissy, giiiiiiiiiveeeeee....")
[hr:67a7a83462]
At this point, I wish I just had the ability to set various temperature configurations (like favorite radio stations), and jump between them.

But until then, we'll just have to do the Data/Geordi screen shuffle. You can always turn to the person in the passenger seat and say, "Coordinates locked in, sir", giving them the opportunity to say "Engage!"

[KTPhil]

I may be missing something, but I think I accomplish the same thing by hitting AUTO A/C on the steering wheel (once or twice to turn it to full-on auto), then go to the climate screen and turn off the AC (without changing anything else).

Now when I change temp, obviously it can't go lower than outside temp (not your problem I take it!) but it WILL adjust the heat and blower to accomodate your desired temp. You can also select or deselect recirc.

The setting doesn't always surive a reboot, er, restart-- I'm not sure!

[8AA]

And if you can talk your dealer into it, he can set up the car so that pressing AUTO doesn't automatically turn on the compressor. When you want air conditioning, you go to the CLIMATE screen and press the A/C button.

[sfmark]

And if you can talk your dealer into it, he can set up the car so that pressing AUTO doesn't automatically turn on the compressor. When you want air conditioning, you go to the CLIMATE screen and press the A/C button.

Is this documented anywhere so that I can show my dealer? It sounds like a really good idea to prevent overuse of the air conditioning. Here in San Francisco we don't have much use for it, even in the summer.

[efusco]

Tony,
Skip the steering wheel button step.

Lemme see if I can do this from memory:
(assuming you're in Auto AC at 67 degrees)

1)Climate Button
2)AC button on MFD (Auto button should stay lit)
3)Adjust temp with arrows if necessary
4)Hit the fan speed you desire (Auto button should go out)
5)Hit fan pattern you desire

Yea, it's still a pain in the butt when a single simple button that says "VENT" would prevent most of the button pushing.

BTW, it won't "Always" blow on just the feet, it depends upon a number of factors (chosen by Prius Climatology Gods), but depending upon your desired temp, starting temp, outside temp, humidity, how close you are to starting your menstrual cycle, and planetary alignment patterns may choose other settings. I usually get both feet and a cold blow in the face at full fan power at start-up if I'm in AutoAC in cold weather!

[efusco]

Is this documented anywhere so that I can show my dealer? It sounds like a really good idea to prevent overuse of the air conditioning. Here in San Francisco we don't have much use for it, even in the summer.

Here You Go

[Robert Taylor]

Most interesting.

So, the A/C button on the far upper left of the MFD while in Climate settings cuts the compressor on and off or just enables it?

I am still working my way through all the manuals.

Thanks in advance for the response.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

I usually get both feet and a cold blow in the face at full fan power at start-up if I'm in AutoAC in cold weather!

This has happened to me a few times, most recently this morning, even though it does not get quite as cold here as it does in MO. However, within a minute it automatically shuts off until there is sufficient engine heat for the climate control system to work properly.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

...cuts the compressor on and off or just enables it?

It toggles the compressor on and off.