Climate Control

[arf1410]

Whenever I turn the heat on, which I guess one cannot directly do; one actually sets a temperature, the aircon (compressor?) comes on. If its a cool morning, and I set the temp to 72, I do not want the air con to come one. All those extra cycles of the compressor will cause earlier failure. Why does it come on (to dry the air?) and is there a way to turn on the heat, without the aircon turning on also?

[firepa63]

The compressor is electrically driven and comes on only when needed when in Auto-AC. I leave mine in Auto year round and just adjust the temperature a couple of degrees up or down for comfort.

[mt2020]

I am also trying to figure this out. I think I got it.

I think if you push the Auto button which will make the AC button turn on then push the AC button to turn it off which will leave the Auto button illuminated you can then set the Temp you wish and the AC will not go on and you can set the fan speed you wish. You can not do this from the steering wheel.

I hope my explanation is clear

Mark

[arf1410]

Originally Posted by mt2020

I am also trying to figure this out. I think I got it.

I think if you push the Auto button which will make the AC button turn on then push the AC button to turn it off which will leave the Auto button illuminated you can then set the Temp you wish and the AC will not go on and you can set the fan speed you wish. You can not do this from the steering wheel.

I hope my explanation is clear

Mark

That is basically what I have been doing, however, it still cycles the aircon on then off. I buys cars new, and drive them to the end (150,000 + miles), and want to avoid ever needing to replace a $1000+ compressor. As the real aircon season is fairly short in the seattle, this should be possible. It is likely the on/off cycling of the compressor that may put as much wear and tear on it as running it continuously ... Of course the aircon is needed occasssionally in winter to dry out the fog on the windshield, but again, not that often...

Is it just me, or the fact that I've only had this car 3 weeks, but I really prefer the 2 rotating dials - 1 for temp, and one for fan speed...

[qbee42]

How do you know your A/C compressor is running? The Prius doesn't cycle a compressor on and off like a normal car. The Prius A/C compressor is electrically driven and proportionally controlled. It can run fast, slow, or anywhere in between as needed. It is also hermetically sealed without the usual shaft seal that often fails. I think you are over-thinking the climate control on the Prius; just set it on auto and let it do its thing. It will run the compressor only when needed.

Tom

[arf1410]

Originally Posted by qbee42

How do you know your A/C compressor is running? The Prius doesn't cycle a compressor on and off like a normal car. The Prius A/C compressor is electrically driven and proportionally controlled. It can run fast, slow, or anywhere in between as needed. It is also hermetically sealed without the usual shaft seal that often fails. I think you are over-thinking the climate control on the Prius; just set it on auto and let it do its thing. It will run the compressor only when needed.

Tom

engineers by trade and the internet are a bad mix...we tend to look for too much information, then overanalyze things. I'm working on that with my psychoanalyst, but until I get that resolved, I am assuming the aircon is on by the little green light by the aircon switch on the touchscreen. In my other cars (both toyotas), the led illuminated on the aircon switch does mean the compressor is running...I think...

[ny biker]

A lot of folks, like Tom, recommend just leaving it on AUTO and adjusting the temp to whatever you prefer, and let the car take care of itself.

When I first got my car last spring I found this was causing the heat to come on when I didn't want it (which is most of the time). Also sometimes I just like fresh air to come in the vents. So I turned AUTO off. This makes it totally manual.

So now if I want to turn the heat on, I press one of the fan speed buttons and adjust the temp. (A/C button is off.)

If I want fresh air from outside, I choose a fan speed and set the temp to the lowest setting. (A/C button is off.)

If I want to cool the car, I press the A/C button to turn it on and set the fan speed and temp.

I agree that at first I really missed those simple dials, but it didn't take long to get used to the MFD. And I am still able to use the steering wheel controls for temp up/down and turning the A/C on or off.

[qbee42]

The green A/C light on the MFD means the A/C compressor is enabled, not necessarily running. If you turn off that button the compressor will never run. With the Prius, it's very hard to tell when it uses the compressor, and it's quiet efficient about it. The interior humidity can get a bit high without the compressor, so if you have any fogging problems, turn it back on.

Tom

[seasalsa]

Originally Posted by arf1410

engineers by trade and the internet are a bad mix...we tend to look for too much information, then overanalyze things.

Lots of Climate Control information is available from the search feature.

PriusChat Forums - Search Results

If you really want too much information.

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by arf1410

I do not want the air con to come one. All those extra cycles of the compressor will cause earlier failure. Why does it come on (to dry the air?) and is there a way to turn on the heat, without the aircon turning on also?

First the compressor will never run if the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit regardless if the light is lit or not (holds true for all cars) and most car experts agree that letting the air compressor run for at least 10 minutes once a month will extend the life of the compressor as it will help keep all the seals from drying out.