A/C in FLORIDA???

PAPARYNO · 03-05-2008, 04:20 PM

Any Florida(or other HOT summer state months) owners who would like to comment on how good their A/C works. I like my vehicle COLD in the summer and hope this new 08 will do that. I've kinda heard negative info about how you have to have windows tinted for the A/C to be effective. I will be getting them tinted but am wondering if the Prius's A/C is very effective(as normal car) or is it somewhat toned down for MPG sake??

EJFB1029 · 03-05-2008, 04:30 PM

I've not encountered a problem with it, and I like my AC to work, and I'm in South Texas, so I know how an AC is supposed to cool, and so far it seems to work pretty good. One nice thing that I have found out though, is being an all electric AC, meaning the engine doesn't really run the compressor, it cools the same, engine off, engine on, no warmer at stops or traffic congestion's like what I'm used to with engine compressors.

Bob47 · 03-05-2008, 04:35 PM

While I recently moved to Texas I spent the first 35K miles in SOUTH Florida. I set the interior temperature to 72 degrees and that is exactly where it stayed.

Bob64 · 03-05-2008, 06:14 PM

take it for a test drive and see for yourself.

Some people think its extremely weak, some people think its medium strength.

Just remember to roll down the windows and vent out all the hot air BEFORE you turn on the AC.

Chkstar · 03-05-2008, 08:32 PM

Since it is "winter" here in South Florida (if there is such a thing as winter in Florida) and I have been driving without the A/C. But, on those days where it has been hot and humid, I have been satisifed with the A/C. I set it for 72 and it seemed to stay there.

I just changed my OIL (I hit 2,090 miles) and am getting about 53 mpg on my daily commute of about 22 miles each way.

I guess when "summer" comes, this will decrease as I will not be able to avoid the A/C.

xbdude · 03-05-2008, 08:41 PM

I'm from Florida and the AC works pretty good in my '06. The windows are NOT tinted, but I can see where it would sure help. I also have an '06 Tacoma PreRunner extra-cab, but it's hard to compare the two because the Prius cabin is larger. The Tacoma can actually get cold in the summer with the AC on high. I'm more conservative with the Prius and usually run the AC at 78 degrees. Setting it below 76 decreases my mileage significantly, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Just my opinion.

Walker1 · 03-05-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAPARYNO

Any Florida(or other HOT summer state months) owners who would like to comment on how good their A/C works. I like my vehicle COLD in the summer and hope this new 08 will do that. I've kinda heard negative info about how you have to have windows tinted for the A/C to be effective. I will be getting them tinted but am wondering if the Prius's A/C is very effective(as normal car) or is it somewhat toned down for MPG sake??

I live in W. Palm Beach, FL. I have a black 2006 Prius with tinted windows. I also like my A/C cold & it doesn't take long before I'm turning the fan speed down even in July & August. The A/C will be more than you'll need. Hope this helps.

Walker1 · 03-05-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chkstar

Since it is "winter" here in South Florida (if there is such a thing as winter in Florida) and I have been driving without the A/C. But, on those days where it has been hot and humid, I have been satisifed with the A/C. I set it for 72 and it seemed to stay there.

I just changed my OIL (I hit 2,090 miles) and am getting about 53 mpg on my daily commute of about 22 miles each way.

I guess when "summer" comes, this will decrease as I will not be able to avoid the A/C.

We live in W. Palm Beach & have 28,000miles on our 2006 Prius. Our lifetime milege is 54.2. That's with the A/C on most of the time and about 90% city driving. The A/C has not dropped the milege as much as we would have guessed. This is a very likeable car and we will buy a 2nd one when we can.

dave b · 03-05-2008, 10:27 PM

I bought my 2005 used. It came with 30% dealer-installed window tint which is not very dark at all, but it's "High solar energy absorbing" and you can clearly tell the difference in heat on your skin with vs without tint. I think I saw once during a "build your own" PC session that dealer-installed tint costs $300.00 (Atlanta, GA). If I didn't already have it, I would get it. With the tint, the Prius AC is much cooler that that of my old Ford Taurus, in which I had to have the AC fan on high practically all of the time in hot weather, whereas in the Prius I can be comfortable and still hear the radio.

Marvinh · 03-05-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave b

I bought my 2005 used. It came with 30% dealer-installed window tint which is not very dark at all, but it's "High solar energy absorbing" and you can clearly tell the difference in heat on your skin with vs without tint. I think I saw once during a "build your own" PC session that dealer-installed tint costs $300.00 (Atlanta, GA). If I didn't already have it, I would get it. With the tint, the Prius AC is much cooler that that of my old Ford Taurus, in which I had to have the AC fan on high practically all of the time in hot weather, whereas in the Prius I can be comfortable and still hear the radio.

I have a 2007. Isn't 30% high solar energy absorbing tint standard from the factory???? I see a difference between the color and intensity on all the glass surfaces in the car when compared with normal daylight (that is with the window rolled halfway down).

Thanks - Marvin

03-05-2008, 04:20 PM	#1
PAPARYNO Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 78 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	A/C in FLORIDA??? Any Florida(or other HOT summer state months) owners who would like to comment on how good their A/C works. I like my vehicle COLD in the summer and hope this new 08 will do that. I've kinda heard negative info about how you have to have windows tinted for the A/C to be effective. I will be getting them tinted but am wondering if the Prius's A/C is very effective(as normal car) or is it somewhat toned down for MPG sake??

03-05-2008, 04:30 PM	#2
EJFB1029 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Republic of Texas Posts: 1,878 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? I've not encountered a problem with it, and I like my AC to work, and I'm in South Texas, so I know how an AC is supposed to cool, and so far it seems to work pretty good. One nice thing that I have found out though, is being an all electric AC, meaning the engine doesn't really run the compressor, it cools the same, engine off, engine on, no warmer at stops or traffic congestion's like what I'm used to with engine compressors.

03-05-2008, 04:35 PM	#3
Bob47 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 155 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? While I recently moved to Texas I spent the first 35K miles in SOUTH Florida. I set the interior temperature to 72 degrees and that is exactly where it stayed.

03-05-2008, 06:14 PM	#4
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 802 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? take it for a test drive and see for yourself. Some people think its extremely weak, some people think its medium strength. Just remember to roll down the windows and vent out all the hot air BEFORE you turn on the AC.

03-05-2008, 08:32 PM	#5
Chkstar Fl Amatuer Nature Photographer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boca Raton, Florida Posts: 8 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? Since it is "winter" here in South Florida (if there is such a thing as winter in Florida) and I have been driving without the A/C. But, on those days where it has been hot and humid, I have been satisifed with the A/C. I set it for 72 and it seemed to stay there. I just changed my OIL (I hit 2,090 miles) and am getting about 53 mpg on my daily commute of about 22 miles each way. I guess when "summer" comes, this will decrease as I will not be able to avoid the A/C. __________________ chkstar

03-05-2008, 08:41 PM	#6
xbdude xbdude Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 130 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? I'm from Florida and the AC works pretty good in my '06. The windows are NOT tinted, but I can see where it would sure help. I also have an '06 Tacoma PreRunner extra-cab, but it's hard to compare the two because the Prius cabin is larger. The Tacoma can actually get cold in the summer with the AC on high. I'm more conservative with the Prius and usually run the AC at 78 degrees. Setting it below 76 decreases my mileage significantly, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Just my opinion.

03-05-2008, 10:27 PM	#9
dave b Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA Posts: 2 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? I bought my 2005 used. It came with 30% dealer-installed window tint which is not very dark at all, but it's "High solar energy absorbing" and you can clearly tell the difference in heat on your skin with vs without tint. I think I saw once during a "build your own" PC session that dealer-installed tint costs $300.00 (Atlanta, GA). If I didn't already have it, I would get it. With the tint, the Prius AC is much cooler that that of my old Ford Taurus, in which I had to have the AC fan on high practically all of the time in hot weather, whereas in the Prius I can be comfortable and still hear the radio.