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Understanding the A/C Buttons

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by DanCole42, Mar 27, 2012.

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  1. Jenpen

    Jenpen Junior Member

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    I generally use fresh air to exhaust the hot air then recirculate because it's easer to cool cool air. Am I doing this at the expense of my battery I am just starting to learn through the forum that heat is a danger to my battery previously I only had to worry about an ice?
    Thanks
    Jen
     
    #21 Jenpen, Jul 7, 2012
  2. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Maybe open the windows as you roll off to purge the hot air? The auto up down features makes that quite easy.
     
    #22 Jonny Zero, Jul 7, 2012
  3. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    As mentioned, the simplest method is to leave the A/C button on at all times and just adjust the temperature. That said, I always turn the climate control system off when leaving the car in the summer. When I return, I'll start the car and open all four windows to equalize the temperature when driving off, then decide whether or not to turn the climate control system on if I want the cabin to be a bit cooler (with the windows closed, of course.) In cold weather, I'll leave the climate control system on at all times (with the A/C button still lit) at the desired set temperature. The blower will adjust automatically as the coolant warms up so as not to blow cold air into the cabin.
     
    #23 RRxing, Jul 7, 2012
  4. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    One more thing, hitting Auto doesn't turn the A/C compressor on automatically. You have to make sure the A/C light is on, too.
     
    #24 El Dobro, Jul 7, 2012
  5. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    At least on the 2012, if going from OFF to AUTO, the A/C light always goes on.
     
    #25 markabele, Jul 7, 2012
  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Leave it in Auto, shut the A/C button off and then turn Auto off. Now, turn Auto back on and see if the A/C button is lit. On my car, the Auto setting remembers if the A/C was on or off when you turn Auto back on.
     
    #26 El Dobro, Jul 8, 2012
  7. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Always comes back on in the 2012.
     
    #27 markabele, Jul 8, 2012
  8. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The programming must have been changed. I turn the compressor off a few munutes before I shut down the car to dry off the evaporator and Auto always remembers the last settings.
     
    #28 El Dobro, Jul 8, 2012
  9. joedirte

    joedirte Member

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    Well the HV battery fan will turn on if it needs to, but it seems this fan does not run often enough.

    When you have the fan on high and fresh air, not recirc or various Auto which does lots of weird things, you are moving air across the HV battery. Obviously, cooler is better. Not sure in winter/fall which is optimal.
     
    #29 joedirte, Jul 8, 2012
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