A/C in FLORIDA???

anti-gas · 03-05-2008, 10:50 PM

PAPARYNO,

I have an '08 Prius and I live in South Florida. I don't have tint on the windows yet, but I WILL be adding it there no doubt as I have never owned a car w/o tint. Too hot w/o tint and I like a little privacy too.

I had just replaced my AC in my '97 4Runner and that AC got down to 37 degrees after running for a while. That car was tinted dark. My Prius, although I have only had it about a 1 1/2 weeks now, does cool down to 40 (have same thermometer in the vent as I had in the 4Runner). Readings of course in inside the AC vent. I do see that when I first start up the super hot car, it does take about 30 seconds before it starts blowing cold, where in my 4Runner it blew cold within 3 seconds.

Overall, I am satisfied with its ability to cool the car and even if it didn't cool it as cold and was a few degrees difference, the fuel economy more than makes up for it. 13 vs 49mpg is a no brainer.

Again, I don't have tint on the Prius and Tint makes the world of a difference on a car.

BTW, does anyone know where the GPS antenna is located on the '08 Prius? I was wondering if my tint would interfere with it, as most of the better tint out there has metal particles in it. Also the smart key system, where is that antenna located? Does anyone have Metal tint out there on their Prius with smart key and NAV? Any problems?

Vincent · 03-06-2008, 05:50 AM

After I park my 06 Prius in the direct sun during the summer, I lower the windows for about 30 seconds to drop the inside temperature. Other than that, the Auto A/C stays on 72 and and I never think about it. 45K miles now and I'm averaging around 47MPG with 75% highway (72 MPH) driving. Oil changed every 5K miles, Air filter changed every 10K miles and Comfortreds kept at 40/38.

dave b · 03-06-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvinh

I have a 2007. Isn't 30% high solar energy absorbing tint standard from the factory????

Thanks - Marvin

I don't think so. My windows have little stickers that say 32% high solar energy absorbing... installed by Southeast Toyota. And my mother-in-law bought a 2008 Prius last month & paid for the window tint but they haven't had it installed yet (she took delivery before they installed the tint). Tinit it is an option you can chose after selecting a package when you do the build your own online webpage. It may not be standard since some people don't want tint because it can reduce visibility or maybe it's just that Toyota makes it an option to keep the base price down.

Oh, I know, they don't make tint standard because people like different levels of tint, some not at all, plus different states have different rules about tint darkness.

New info: OK, I looked at my window film stickers, they actually say Digi-Film 32% Installed by Southeast Toyota 9/20/06. I had remembered it wrong. Looking online I see that high solar energy absorbing glass is standard on new 2008 models, possibly earlier models. I don't remember where I saw high solar energy absorbing anything for my 2005 Prius, it just got into my head that it was the window tint. In any event, the sun through the tinted windows is much cooler than through the windshield, so I would still buy the tint if I didn't have it.

Dave

removeum · 03-06-2008, 10:52 PM

I have a 2007 Prius with navigation. If you look on the backside of the MFD you will see a square patch approx. 2 x 2 with a clear view of the sky.

I have also driven to Sacramento and to Washington in the middle of summer. Seen vehicles on the side of the road overheating, while traveling through Montana, 104 degrees outside and A/C worked outstanding.

richard schumacher · 03-07-2008, 02:16 PM

Mine has worked fine in Dallas for three summers without added tinting. The initial cooldown does take a minute or two; this is helped by covered parking, or by using a Sunshade in the windshield and parking facing between south and southwest.

dwdean · 04-28-2008, 01:30 AM

So far, the A/C is doing just fine. I don't have tint and probably won't get it (I've had tinted windows a couple of times and really didn't like it.)

I do use the "Auto" setting on the A/C to help with fule economy, but haven't noticed that being a problem. Actually, I kind of like the fact that it doesn't freeze me out of the car....

03-05-2008, 10:50 PM	#11
anti-gas Reduce, Reuse and Conserve Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 48 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? PAPARYNO, I have an '08 Prius and I live in South Florida. I don't have tint on the windows yet, but I WILL be adding it there no doubt as I have never owned a car w/o tint. Too hot w/o tint and I like a little privacy too. I had just replaced my AC in my '97 4Runner and that AC got down to 37 degrees after running for a while. That car was tinted dark. My Prius, although I have only had it about a 1 1/2 weeks now, does cool down to 40 (have same thermometer in the vent as I had in the 4Runner). Readings of course in inside the AC vent. I do see that when I first start up the super hot car, it does take about 30 seconds before it starts blowing cold, where in my 4Runner it blew cold within 3 seconds. Overall, I am satisfied with its ability to cool the car and even if it didn't cool it as cold and was a few degrees difference, the fuel economy more than makes up for it. 13 vs 49mpg is a no brainer. Again, I don't have tint on the Prius and Tint makes the world of a difference on a car. BTW, does anyone know where the GPS antenna is located on the '08 Prius? I was wondering if my tint would interfere with it, as most of the better tint out there has metal particles in it. Also the smart key system, where is that antenna located? Does anyone have Metal tint out there on their Prius with smart key and NAV? Any problems? __________________ anti-gas South Florida --------------------------------------------------- 2008 Package 5, with NAV, Weather Tech Floor liners, front, rear and cargo liner, door edge molding, 40psi tires, Custom made denim seat covers that cover everything, Dashmat, Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil, Llumar Window Tint, Over the headrest DVD player for the little one, ScanGaugeII with BlendMount, Flux Capacitor for Time Travel Mode

03-06-2008, 05:50 AM	#12
Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 439 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	A/C in Florida OK for me After I park my 06 Prius in the direct sun during the summer, I lower the windows for about 30 seconds to drop the inside temperature. Other than that, the Auto A/C stays on 72 and and I never think about it. 45K miles now and I'm averaging around 47MPG with 75% highway (72 MPH) driving. Oil changed every 5K miles, Air filter changed every 10K miles and Comfortreds kept at 40/38.

03-06-2008, 10:52 PM	#14
removeum Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 404 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? I have a 2007 Prius with navigation. If you look on the backside of the MFD you will see a square patch approx. 2 x 2 with a clear view of the sky. I have also driven to Sacramento and to Washington in the middle of summer. Seen vehicles on the side of the road overheating, while traveling through Montana, 104 degrees outside and A/C worked outstanding. Last edited by removeum; 03-06-2008 at 10:55 PM.

03-07-2008, 02:16 PM	#15
richard schumacher nacreous lacquer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 4,131 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? Mine has worked fine in Dallas for three summers without added tinting. The initial cooldown does take a minute or two; this is helped by covered parking, or by using a Sunshade in the windshield and parking facing between south and southwest.

04-28-2008, 01:30 AM	#16
dwdean Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 344 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: A/C in FLORIDA??? So far, the A/C is doing just fine. I don't have tint and probably won't get it (I've had tinted windows a couple of times and really didn't like it.) I do use the "Auto" setting on the A/C to help with fule economy, but haven't noticed that being a problem. Actually, I kind of like the fact that it doesn't freeze me out of the car....