Climate control: Fan off heat can still be on!

Areometer · 11-27-2004, 05:52 PM

Just like most cars out there, you can turn off the fan completely yet you can leave the thermostat at any level that you wish. In such case, as the motion of your car brings wind in from outside passively, you can actually feel the warmth even though your fan is totally off.

This is also the case in the Prius so there is no surprise there but what makes this so inconvenient in the Prius is that you canNOT adjust the thermostat when your fan is in OFF mode, the up/down buttons are blurred out. So in order to turn off the heat, you actually have to turn on the fan (any speed), then push the down button multiple times until it says: Max Cold, now you turn off the fan & it is only at this state that your climate control is totally off. I don't know about you guys but this is quite wierd & inconvenient for me.

Edward

DaveinOlyWA · 11-27-2004, 10:09 PM

i agree totally. i noticed this long ago with the air conditioning.

i also have a problem with not being able to turn off the fan unless in the climate control screen.

i can toggle defrost and heat/air from the steering wheel but cant turn it off. that sucks...

disappointed...now my car isnt perfect...*sigh*

BUT

i can live with it

Kev1000000 · 11-28-2004, 05:04 AM

its not an engineering flaw, i actually like it.

I can still heat and cool the car slightly with no noise and increased fuel efficiency.

And all you have to do is adjust the temp of the auto climate from the steering wheel to the desired temp, and then turn it off

daniel · 11-28-2004, 09:02 AM

I agree with Areometer. This is a damn nuisance. The passive air passage would not be so annoying if you could adjust the temp without having to turn on the fan. And since that can only be done from the climate screen, it is a distraction from driving.

We have lots of days when it's cold in the morning and sunny and warm in the afternoon. So on the ride home, once the engine warms up, it gets hot in the car. Then I have to go to the climate screen, turn on the fan, lower the temp, and then turn off the fan.

This is a distraction, and a stupid design flaw.

Yes. The car is not perfect. It's the best car in the universe, but it's not perfect. That's why I'm going to trade mine in. As soon as the next major model revision comes out.

Areometer · 11-28-2004, 09:53 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel\";p=\"53147)</div>

Quote:

...We have lots of days when it's cold in the morning and sunny and warm in the afternoon. So on the ride home, once the engine warms up, it gets hot in the car. Then I have to go to the climate screen, turn on the fan, lower the temp, and then turn off the fan...[/b]

Or worse yet, many are just not aware that the heating element in their climate control is still on regardless of the fan speed setting and leave it in this state for a whole few months. It is natural for them to think that off is off (which is not true in this case), imagine what that does to one's MPG.

I wish I could just trade mine in when the new models emerge, I kinda grow attachments to the cars that I own. Plus, I always supe-up my rides which makes trading-in not a financially-sound thing to do as all dealers & many prospective buyers will not give you extra credits for those add-ons.

Edward

deh2k · 11-28-2004, 09:56 AM

I'm confused: my steering wheel has an A/C Auto button that switches the fan on and off. There are Temp up and down buttons there too, so I do not need to use the Climate screen.

I also don't understand what the need to adjust the temperature is at all. Put the temperature setting to what you think is comfy and just leave it there. If the cabin gets too hot or cold just turn on the auto A/C and let the climate control take over.

DaveinOlyWA · 11-28-2004, 10:40 AM

that could cause the air conditioning to come on in the winter with the method you describe... i would think you wouldnt want that even on the warmest of winter days. i sure wouldnt.

but i will say that the temp gauge is a bit of a non issue because its cold out now and the heat is welcome.

but we have long springs and falls here (short winters thank you lord!!) and there is no way to turn off the fan after its been turned on except through the climate control screen.

its simply a design oops. there are many times when i dont want any active temperature control at all. passive air flow only is just fine and i cant do it from the steering wheel. that is a mistake in my mind.

deh2k · 11-28-2004, 11:46 AM

I think that some of the confusion here is because Toyota seems to use the term "Air Conditioning" in a generic sense whereas we usually think of it as the device in our house that gobbles energy to cool the air. They maybe should have called it "Climate Control" instead. Their engineers are pretty smart and I bet that the compressor doesn't run much (or at all) if the cabin is too hot when the outside temp is low.

If you really want to make sure the compressor doesn't run then you can leave climate control on but turn off the A/C button on the MFD. I believe that A/C means air conditioning in the classic sense. That is the one thing you need the Climate screen for. That setting doesn't stick when you turn CC on/off, unfortunately.

I hope we're not talking about different things here because I can for sure turn the fan off with the A/C Auto button on the steering wheel.

daniel · 11-28-2004, 07:47 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA\";p=\"53156)</div>

Quote:

... there are many times when i dont want any active temperature control at all. passive air flow only is just fine and i cant do it from the steering wheel. that is a mistake in my mind.[/b]

[size=24]Exactly!!!!!

And there is no way at all to go back and forth between passive air flow and any kind of temperature control without multiple manipulations on the climate screen.

DanMan32 · 11-29-2004, 10:08 AM

There are climate control settings the dealer can set for you, including compressor mode in A/C auto.

AIR CONDITIONER
DISPLAY(ITEM) DEFAULT CONTENTS SETTING
SET TEMP SHIFT (Set Temperature Shift)
NORMAL
To control with the shifted temperature against the display temperature.
+2C / +1C / NORMAL /–1C / –2C
AIR INLET MODE (Air Inlet Mode) AUTO
In case of turning the A/C ON when you desire to make the compartment cool down quickly, this is the function to change the mode automatically to RECIRCULATED mode.
MANUAL / AUTO
COMPRESSOR MODE (Compressor Mode)
AUTO
Function to turn the A/C ON automatically by pressing the AUTO button when the blower is ON and the A/C is OFF.
MANUAL / AUTO
COMPRS/DEF OPER (Compressor/Air inlet DEF operation)
LINK
Function to turn the A/C ON automatically linking with the FRONT DEF button when the A/C is OFF.
NORMAL / LINK
FOOT/DEF MODE (Foot/DEF auto mode)
ON
Function to turn the air flow from FOOT/DEF to ON automatically when AUTO MODE is ON.
OFF / ON
AUTO BLOW UP (Foot/DEF automatic blow up function)
ON
Function to switch the blower level automatically when the defroster is ON.
OFF / ON
FOOT AIR LEAK (Foot air leak)
ON
Function to cut off the airstream felt underfoot while the vehicle is moving
OFF / ON
AMBINT TMP SFT (Ambient Temperature Shift)
NORMAL
To control with the shifted ambient temperature against the display ambient temperature.
+3C / +2C / +1C / NORMAL / –1C / –2C / –3C

11-27-2004, 05:52 PM	#1
Areometer Silver Business Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tyngsboro, MA Posts: 559 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Climate control: Fan off heat can still be on! Just like most cars out there, you can turn off the fan completely yet you can leave the thermostat at any level that you wish. In such case, as the motion of your car brings wind in from outside passively, you can actually feel the warmth even though your fan is totally off. This is also the case in the Prius so there is no surprise there but what makes this so inconvenient in the Prius is that you canNOT adjust the thermostat when your fan is in OFF mode, the up/down buttons are blurred out. So in order to turn off the heat, you actually have to turn on the fan (any speed), then push the down button multiple times until it says: Max Cold, now you turn off the fan & it is only at this state that your climate control is totally off. I don't know about you guys but this is quite wierd & inconvenient for me. Edward __________________ *SigmaAuto.com - PRIUS* Accessories & JDM Components !! Earthority.com - Earth-friendly gear & Earth-conscious news

11-28-2004, 09:02 AM	#4
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 8,521 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I agree with Areometer. This is a damn nuisance. The passive air passage would not be so annoying if you could adjust the temp without having to turn on the fan. And since that can only be done from the climate screen, it is a distraction from driving. We have lots of days when it's cold in the morning and sunny and warm in the afternoon. So on the ride home, once the engine warms up, it gets hot in the car. Then I have to go to the climate screen, turn on the fan, lower the temp, and then turn off the fan. This is a distraction, and a stupid design flaw. Yes. The car is not perfect. It's the best car in the universe, but it's not perfect. That's why I'm going to trade mine in. As soon as the next major model revision comes out. __________________ Daniel ---------------------- Primary car: Zap Xebra SD: 100% electric car. 1.9 cents per mile, using electrons generated from water power. (The Prius is my gas guzzler, used when I have to travel farther than 35 miles in a day.) "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." -- Emma Goldman "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think long and hard before starting a war." -- Otto von Bismarck

11-28-2004, 10:40 AM	#7
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,228 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	that could cause the air conditioning to come on in the winter with the method you describe... i would think you wouldnt want that even on the warmest of winter days. i sure wouldnt. but i will say that the temp gauge is a bit of a non issue because its cold out now and the heat is welcome. but we have long springs and falls here (short winters thank you lord!!) and there is no way to turn off the fan after its been turned on except through the climate control screen. its simply a design oops. there are many times when i dont want any active temperature control at all. passive air flow only is just fine and i cant do it from the steering wheel. that is a mistake in my mind. __________________ My 2006: Last tank 457.6 miles @54.2 pump (54.3 computer) 7.12 cpm winter mpg 50.78 summer mpg 55.25 lifetime: 30,151.4 miles 53.13 mpg pump (54.37 mpg computer) 5.70 cpm My 2007 Zenn Driven 4358 miles, 2.08 cpm/ 201 mpg (at $4.24/gal), 3.74 miles/ Kwh Savings over my Prius $238.80 The Corolla...435.21 The REAL SAVINGS from not driving Corolla 544.07 +Prius=782.87 (excludes maintenance costs...would be unfair to ICE vehicles) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power)

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11-27-2004, 10:09 PM	#2
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,228 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	i agree totally. i noticed this long ago with the air conditioning. i also have a problem with not being able to turn off the fan unless in the climate control screen. i can toggle defrost and heat/air from the steering wheel but cant turn it off. that sucks... disappointed...now my car isnt perfect...sigh BUT i can live with it

11-28-2004, 05:04 AM	#3
Kev1000000 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Livonia, MI Posts: 250 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	its not an engineering flaw, i actually like it. I can still heat and cool the car slightly with no noise and increased fuel efficiency. And all you have to do is adjust the temp of the auto climate from the steering wheel to the desired temp, and then turn it off

11-28-2004, 09:56 AM	#6
deh2k Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 239 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm confused: my steering wheel has an A/C Auto button that switches the fan on and off. There are Temp up and down buttons there too, so I do not need to use the Climate screen. I also don't understand what the need to adjust the temperature is at all. Put the temperature setting to what you think is comfy and just leave it there. If the cabin gets too hot or cold just turn on the auto A/C and let the climate control take over.

11-28-2004, 11:46 AM	#8
deh2k Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 239 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think that some of the confusion here is because Toyota seems to use the term "Air Conditioning" in a generic sense whereas we usually think of it as the device in our house that gobbles energy to cool the air. They maybe should have called it "Climate Control" instead. Their engineers are pretty smart and I bet that the compressor doesn't run much (or at all) if the cabin is too hot when the outside temp is low. If you really want to make sure the compressor doesn't run then you can leave climate control on but turn off the A/C button on the MFD. I believe that A/C means air conditioning in the classic sense. That is the one thing you need the Climate screen for. That setting doesn't stick when you turn CC on/off, unfortunately. I hope we're not talking about different things here because I can for sure turn the fan off with the A/C Auto button on the steering wheel.

11-29-2004, 10:08 AM	#10
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	There are climate control settings the dealer can set for you, including compressor mode in A/C auto. AIR CONDITIONER DISPLAY(ITEM) DEFAULT CONTENTS SETTING SET TEMP SHIFT (Set Temperature Shift) NORMAL To control with the shifted temperature against the display temperature. +2C / +1C / NORMAL /–1C / –2C AIR INLET MODE (Air Inlet Mode) AUTO In case of turning the A/C ON when you desire to make the compartment cool down quickly, this is the function to change the mode automatically to RECIRCULATED mode. MANUAL / AUTO COMPRESSOR MODE (Compressor Mode) AUTO Function to turn the A/C ON automatically by pressing the AUTO button when the blower is ON and the A/C is OFF. MANUAL / AUTO COMPRS/DEF OPER (Compressor/Air inlet DEF operation) LINK Function to turn the A/C ON automatically linking with the FRONT DEF button when the A/C is OFF. NORMAL / LINK FOOT/DEF MODE (Foot/DEF auto mode) ON Function to turn the air flow from FOOT/DEF to ON automatically when AUTO MODE is ON. OFF / ON AUTO BLOW UP (Foot/DEF automatic blow up function) ON Function to switch the blower level automatically when the defroster is ON. OFF / ON FOOT AIR LEAK (Foot air leak) ON Function to cut off the airstream felt underfoot while the vehicle is moving OFF / ON AMBINT TMP SFT (Ambient Temperature Shift) NORMAL To control with the shifted ambient temperature against the display ambient temperature. +3C / +2C / +1C / NORMAL / –1C / –2C / –3C