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Issue with outside vent?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by chkcee, Mar 20, 2015.

  1. chkcee

    chkcee Junior Member

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    Recently I've been noticing that even though my vent is in the circulate position, I can still heavily smell odors coming from the outside. I vacuumed the inside of the cabin air filter box, vacuumed and removed everything from the outside front cowl, and replaced the air filter. Still have the smells coming through. I'm thinking the vent(s) do not close properly. Anyone else have this issue? Any fixes? Thanks
     
    #1 chkcee, Mar 20, 2015
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    If I'm not mistaken, outside air is still taken in when recirculate mode is engaged. Not sure of the percent split though.
     
    #2 xliderider, Mar 20, 2015
  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Interesting topic.....
     
    #3 mrbigh, Mar 20, 2015
  4. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    You are correct. There is always a small amount of outside air entering the cabin to prevent possible condensation.
     
    #4 RRxing, Mar 20, 2015
  5. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    And to keep a slight positive cabin pressure to help prevent exhaust infiltration.
     
    #5 Easy Rider 2, Mar 20, 2015
  6. chkcee

    chkcee Junior Member

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    ah ok, thanks guys. going to purchase a better cabin filter and see if that solves it.
     
    #6 chkcee, Mar 20, 2015
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    They sell cabin filters with activated charcoal that supposedly help control odors.

    And there's always the clip on vent air fresheners. ;)
     
    #7 xliderider, Mar 20, 2015
  8. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    True, and one reason many American cars, at least in the past, didn't provide a "recirculate" setting.

    It would be interesting to know the percentages of outside vs. recirculated air in the fresh vs. recirculated settings. Neither is really 100% what it says.
     
    #8 CR94, Mar 20, 2015
  9. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The Dust and Pollen button will provide a tight shutoff for only 3 minutes if you need a quick air block. It is meant to circulate air inside the car and remove the dust and pollen.
     
    #9 jdcollins5, Mar 20, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what would you breathe if there were no fresh air?
     
    #10 bisco, Mar 20, 2015
  11. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    What ? Where ?
    More information please.
     
    #11 Easy Rider 2, Mar 21, 2015
  12. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    On the Gen III there is a Dust and Pollen button on the Climate Control panel. I am not sure about the c.

    This will close the outside air vent tightly to circulate cabin air through the cabin air filter to remove any dust or pollen inside the cabin. It has a 3 minute timer so you will not forget to turn it off.
     
    #12 jdcollins5, Mar 21, 2015
  13. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Including current production models ?
    No, the C doesn't have that and I've never seen one before on any brand or model.
    I assume that is in addition to the recirc. button and not instead of.
     
    #13 Easy Rider 2, Mar 21, 2015
  14. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    This button is right beside the Recirc Mode button.

    It was on the Gen III Liftback models beginning in 2010. I do not know about current models.
     
    #14 jdcollins5, Mar 21, 2015
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