3 days in a rented Prius

Per · 09-17-2007, 01:14 AM

Spent five days in Las Vegas last week and used the time to rent a Prius from Fletcher Jones Toyota. Super folks at the rental place! I put 189 miles on the car--mostly going from casino to casino, but also took a trip down to Lake Mead--only place I got to see 8 bars on the MFD. I enjoyed driving the car, although the wife thought the ride was a bit harsh--base car with no options. For the most part drove it "normal" in traffic, but did a a few chances to do some P&G. Ended up with 48 MPG, which I thought was real good, since I did not do any extraordinary efforts other than the usual gentle acceleration and energy conservation when possible. The cutting in and out of the ICE was not an issue at all--the slight shudder was barely perceptible. I was a bit surprised at how quickly the battery went down 2-4 bars just accelerating from a light, but part of that was probably running the AC at full steam with 116 degree temps. As a matter of fact, it was the AC that led us to trade the Prius in on an Avalon for the last two days--the Prius just took too long to cool off with the high temperatures. I probably could have lived with it, but the wife needs her AC--and you gotta keep mama happy! The only thing that really bothered me about the Prius was the seats. I have mentioned before about fixing the thigh support issue--some shims would greatly improve that, however, the seats are hard, and not at all shaped well for my sensitive back. While this was a base version with no option/packages, the seats are the same across the line, and the leather seats aren't really more comfortable than the cloth ones. To me, this would be a deal-breaker--I expect better seats in a $28,000 car(the way my Prius would be equipped)--Toyota, are you listening!!!!
I personally would like to see the AC and radio controls separated from the MFD--my idea of a car is to look like a fighter cockpit--but I could live with the MFD.
All in all it was an enjoyable experience, and I can see why you owners like your cars, and why so many Prius owners would buy the car again, as reported by Consumer Reports.
Happy motoring!!

PriusOwner004 · 09-17-2007, 01:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Sep 17 2007, 12:14 AM) [snapback]513550[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

As a matter of fact, it was the AC that led us to trade the Prius in on an Avalon for the last two days--the Prius just took too long to cool off with the high temperatures.
[/b]

No idea, what you're talking about. I live in Vegas and the A/C works just fine in our hell climate. In fact, I rarely have to set it to more than 78F Low.

tkil · 09-17-2007, 02:11 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusOwner004 @ Sep 16 2007, 09:50 PM) [snapback]513563[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

No idea, what you're talking about. I live in Vegas and the A/C works just fine in our hell climate. In fact, I rarely have to set it to more than 78F Low.[/b]

Is your car garaged or otherwise out of the sun?

Here in Albuquerque (and in the desert Southwest generally), I've noticed that the AC is great in a steady-state -- but if the dash, seats, roof, etc are all hot from being exposed to direct sun, it takes a long time for the AC to fight back down. Once it does, you're right that 78° does a fine job of cooling. But if you don't have a garage (or if your garage is full of junk, sigh), then I can see the complaint. (And short trips up and down the strip would be a typical "not long enough to fight off the solar heating" scenario.)

local_host · 09-17-2007, 03:52 AM

I have noticed that the Prius' A/C doesn't have the "biting" cold air that normal cars do (at least not in the middle of a Texas summer). Anytime I take a ride in someone else's car I confirm this over and over. And btw I have my A/C set to the lowest setting and highest fan when necessary... I mean it works ok for me, but I can see how others more sensitive to heat will not like it.

Also, the A/C at max drains the battery QUICK. So if you're in 5-10 mph rush hour traffic AND in the blazing heat, your MPGs will drop like a rock as the engine constantly cycles on and off (even with feathered acceleration)..not to mention you'll feel the car vibrate a little each time- which can be annoying if you're constantly driving in stop and go traffic with the A/C. The Prius really should allow you the option of driving entirely in gas engine mode if you're so inclined.

okiebutnotfrommuskogee · 09-17-2007, 08:35 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Sep 17 2007, 12:14 AM) [snapback]513550[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

As a matter of fact, it was the AC that led us to trade the Prius in on an Avalon for the last two days--the Prius just took too long to cool off with the high temperatures.

[/b]

Sorry to dispute your evaluation of the Prius verses the Avalon AC. I own a 05 Avalon and an 07 Prius. The Prius AC works every bit as good as the one in the Avalon. Like your wife, mine has to have the AC on all the time and really blowing cold. The Avalon does have two things going for it that the Prius does not. One is the fact that the AC has dual zone settings so she can and usually does have her side set cooler than mine. The other is that there are AC ducts to the rear seat area, which puts some cold air behind you and is nice for the back seat passengers if there happen to be any.

Other than those extra items, I would say that they both work equally well. It may not get to 116 in Oklahoma, but it does get hot, and with all the lakes we have in our corner of the state, (mostly man made), we have a lot of humidity.

The seats in the Honda Civic Hybrid that I owned for almost 5 years weren't any better than the ones in the Prius and the AC was not as good as the one in the Prius. Come to think of it, there are a lot of things that are better in the Prius. I would not trade back for anything.

Oh well, just my thoughts.

alexilic · 09-17-2007, 09:15 AM

I have a Black '07. It was like an oven when left out in the sun. Within a week, I tinted all the windows, and use a cheap pop up sun shade when left outside. Wow, what a differance!

Alex

Per · 09-17-2007, 10:07 AM

Sorry if you don't like my observation, guys, but the fact remains the AC in the Prius was just not up to the job of cooling the car--the Avalon did the job significantly better. I also realized part of the problem was the Prius windshield which exposes more of the interior due to the body style. Most of the time we were able to park under cover while in the casinos, but once we got out in the sunlight, it took a long time to cool the interior. The rental of course had no tint, and we would of course tint our own, which would do a lot to alleviate the problem. I set the AC on auto, and the only time the fan would slow down, was at night. The Avalon fan would slow down after 5-10 minutes.
But even so, I was impressed with the mileage--I thought 48MPG considering the conditions.

As far as the seats go, I guess your back is different than mine--the Civic seats are light years ahead of the ones in the Prius--the wife thought the same also.

qbee42 · 09-17-2007, 10:15 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Sep 17 2007, 01:14 AM) [snapback]513550[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I personally would like to see the AC and radio controls separated from the MFD--my idea of a car is to look like a fighter cockpit--but I could live with the MFD.
[/b]

After owning a Prius for over a year, I find I run the radio and climate controls mostly from the steering wheel buttons. There is seldom a need to use the MFD, unless the passenger is doing the controlling.

Tom

patsparks · 09-17-2007, 10:28 AM

Thanks Tom. I was going to say that

justlurkin · 09-17-2007, 10:35 AM

A/C tips for the Prius:

When getting into a Prius that has been parked in the blazing sun for a while, the first thing to do is roll down all the windows to let all the hot air out, and leave them down for the first few minutes of the drive to let the wind from the moving car to carry away as much hot air from the cabin as possible.

Then crank up the windows, but leave half-inch gaps on the rear two windows. This allows the cold air coming from the A/C to displace any hot air left in the cabin out of the car. Once the cabin reaches a comfortable temperature, close the rear windows fully.

Also make sure you have the A/C running in recirculation mode and not ventilation.

When I know the weather was going to be sunny with no chance of showers, I also tend to park my Prius with the windows cracked open by about half an inch. This helps quite a bit in preventing the cabin from becoming stupid hot when sitting in the sun.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rented a 2007 Prius at SFO	brad34695	Prius Main Forum	5	11-28-2007 03:57 PM
Rented an '05 Prius	OUscarb	Prius Main Forum	7	11-22-2005 01:47 PM
Just rented a Prius	elmofongo	Prius Main Forum	21	11-21-2005 04:24 PM
I rented a Prius and a HCH; here are my reviews of both	Potential Buyer	Prius Main Forum	35	08-16-2005 08:37 PM
This is what happened when I rented the Prius...	macreative	Prius Main Forum	7	09-04-2004 02:14 AM

09-17-2007, 01:14 AM	#1
Per Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Antonio Posts: 171 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Spent five days in Las Vegas last week and used the time to rent a Prius from Fletcher Jones Toyota. Super folks at the rental place! I put 189 miles on the car--mostly going from casino to casino, but also took a trip down to Lake Mead--only place I got to see 8 bars on the MFD. I enjoyed driving the car, although the wife thought the ride was a bit harsh--base car with no options. For the most part drove it "normal" in traffic, but did a a few chances to do some P&G. Ended up with 48 MPG, which I thought was real good, since I did not do any extraordinary efforts other than the usual gentle acceleration and energy conservation when possible. The cutting in and out of the ICE was not an issue at all--the slight shudder was barely perceptible. I was a bit surprised at how quickly the battery went down 2-4 bars just accelerating from a light, but part of that was probably running the AC at full steam with 116 degree temps. As a matter of fact, it was the AC that led us to trade the Prius in on an Avalon for the last two days--the Prius just took too long to cool off with the high temperatures. I probably could have lived with it, but the wife needs her AC--and you gotta keep mama happy! The only thing that really bothered me about the Prius was the seats. I have mentioned before about fixing the thigh support issue--some shims would greatly improve that, however, the seats are hard, and not at all shaped well for my sensitive back. While this was a base version with no option/packages, the seats are the same across the line, and the leather seats aren't really more comfortable than the cloth ones. To me, this would be a deal-breaker--I expect better seats in a $28,000 car(the way my Prius would be equipped)--Toyota, are you listening!!!! I personally would like to see the AC and radio controls separated from the MFD--my idea of a car is to look like a fighter cockpit--but I could live with the MFD. All in all it was an enjoyable experience, and I can see why you owners like your cars, and why so many Prius owners would buy the car again, as reported by Consumer Reports. Happy motoring!!

09-17-2007, 03:52 AM	#4
local_host Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 57 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have noticed that the Prius' A/C doesn't have the "biting" cold air that normal cars do (at least not in the middle of a Texas summer). Anytime I take a ride in someone else's car I confirm this over and over. And btw I have my A/C set to the lowest setting and highest fan when necessary... I mean it works ok for me, but I can see how others more sensitive to heat will not like it. Also, the A/C at max drains the battery QUICK. So if you're in 5-10 mph rush hour traffic AND in the blazing heat, your MPGs will drop like a rock as the engine constantly cycles on and off (even with feathered acceleration)..not to mention you'll feel the car vibrate a little each time- which can be annoying if you're constantly driving in stop and go traffic with the A/C. The Prius really should allow you the option of driving entirely in gas engine mode if you're so inclined.

09-17-2007, 09:15 AM	#6
alexilic Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 54 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have a Black '07. It was like an oven when left out in the sun. Within a week, I tinted all the windows, and use a cheap pop up sun shade when left outside. Wow, what a differance! Alex

09-17-2007, 10:07 AM	#7
Per Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Antonio Posts: 171 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Sorry if you don't like my observation, guys, but the fact remains the AC in the Prius was just not up to the job of cooling the car--the Avalon did the job significantly better. I also realized part of the problem was the Prius windshield which exposes more of the interior due to the body style. Most of the time we were able to park under cover while in the casinos, but once we got out in the sunlight, it took a long time to cool the interior. The rental of course had no tint, and we would of course tint our own, which would do a lot to alleviate the problem. I set the AC on auto, and the only time the fan would slow down, was at night. The Avalon fan would slow down after 5-10 minutes. But even so, I was impressed with the mileage--I thought 48MPG considering the conditions. As far as the seats go, I guess your back is different than mine--the Civic seats are light years ahead of the ones in the Prius--the wife thought the same also.

09-17-2007, 10:28 AM	#9
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,905 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	Thanks Tom. I was going to say that

09-17-2007, 10:35 AM	#10
justlurkin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 202 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	A/C tips for the Prius: When getting into a Prius that has been parked in the blazing sun for a while, the first thing to do is roll down all the windows to let all the hot air out, and leave them down for the first few minutes of the drive to let the wind from the moving car to carry away as much hot air from the cabin as possible. Then crank up the windows, but leave half-inch gaps on the rear two windows. This allows the cold air coming from the A/C to displace any hot air left in the cabin out of the car. Once the cabin reaches a comfortable temperature, close the rear windows fully. Also make sure you have the A/C running in recirculation mode and not ventilation. When I know the weather was going to be sunny with no chance of showers, I also tend to park my Prius with the windows cracked open by about half an inch. This helps quite a bit in preventing the cabin from becoming stupid hot when sitting in the sun.