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How do you turn the heater on? Or is it automatic when fan on and set temp is higher than outside

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JimmyPri, Apr 21, 2016.

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  1. JimmyPri

    JimmyPri Active Member

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    I have only had the 2016 Prius less than 3 weeks. I have not needed to use the heater and rarely will. Where I live the temperature only goes below 60 once or twice a year, maybe. When I go over the mountain to the other side of the island two or three times a year I will use it. And, I should put it on once a month or so to keep it maintained. There is no on button like the AC has and the manual doesn't clearly explain the heater. Is it automatically on if the temperature I set on the dash control is higher than the outside temperature and I turn on the fan? If that is the case is the only way to keep it from coming on should I each day when I park for the night set the temp setting as low as I think the temperature will get?
     
    #1 JimmyPri, Apr 21, 2016
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    It is no different than having a thermostat controlled furnace. You set it for what you want the inside temperature to be, it is that simple. The car will heat and cool to make it that temperature. Much better than the stupid controls in lots of domestic cars that just have sliders for vent temperatures and will keep pumping out heat forever and you have to keep adjusting the knobs and sliders.
     
    #2 2k1Toaster, Apr 21, 2016
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  3. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    Also, unlike domestic cars, if it's really cold, and the car is cold, if you turn on the climate control to something warm, nothing will happen for a while. That seams to be the norm for Toyota, they won't blow cold air in your face, when the system gets some heat from running, it will gradually spin up the blower.

    For me, coming from a Ford mustang and F150, I thought the heater in the Toyota was broken. In the fords, if you turn up the blower with a cold engine, you get the arctic blast.
     
    #3 I'mJp, Apr 22, 2016
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  4. JimmyPri

    JimmyPri Active Member

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    Thanks for your reply. Even though it takes some getting used to this new technology does make life easier.

    Merged


    Thank you for the tip to watch out for. For me by the time I need the heat the car will have been well warmed up since the few times I will need it I will travel from home at 65 to 70 degrees and go further over the mountain where the temp can be as low as 45. There are several miles (25 - 30) before that happens.
     
    #4 JimmyPri, Apr 22, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 22, 2016
  5. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Press the "Auto" button to turn it on and the "Off" (fan button) to turn it off.
     
    #5 kithmo, Apr 22, 2016
  6. vitiligo

    vitiligo Priusdiva

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    You can also just push the fan speed button up and adjust the temperature to a warm number.


    iPhone ?
     
    #6 vitiligo, Apr 23, 2016
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  7. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

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    I use the auto setting only in the summer. I've found using it in the winter isn't as comfortable. Just as it starts to get too warm the system will adjust the temp and it soon feels too cold so I kick the temp up a few degrees and the cycle repeats. Our 05 was exactly the same.
     
    #7 priusgto, Apr 25, 2016
  8. DonJa

    DonJa Junior Member

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    Just got my 2013 Plug-In 4 days ago. I keep seeing the AC light come on even though outside temps in the 40s and I have the temp setting at 67-70. It also keeps switching to the outside air even though I put it back to the inside circulation. Any ideas? am i missing something on how to set the climate control?
     
    #8 DonJa, Apr 26, 2016
  9. JimmyPri

    JimmyPri Active Member

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    I keep my temp setting on 70 and the AC light and so far the AC doesn't come on unless I press the AC button. On the 2016 there is also an Auto button meaning automatic. If that is on the AC could continually come on even when you stop and start the car again. But I have a 2016 Prius and your 2013 probably is different. Maybe someone with a 2013 will be able to give you a more specific answer for your car. Sorry.
     
    #9 JimmyPri, Apr 26, 2016
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe it'll help to see, there isn't a heater really, to be turned on. There's a fan running the air, and a couple of radiators the air runs through. One contains air conditioning fluid, the other has engine coolant. If you set the cabin temperature higher than current, a computer will open a valve allowing warm engine coolant to flow through it's radiator, warming the air. That flow is regulated, increased and decreased, as needed to maintain the set temperature.

    The air conditioning is similar, except that you can shut it completely off, with the AC switch. That will keep it off, with a couple of exceptions:

    1. Pushing the Front Defog button.
    2. Choosing Heat/Defog mode. (the latter will sometimes activate AC, regardless of the AC button being pushed, or not.)
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 26, 2016
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  11. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    The AC stays in the state you put it when you have AUTO mode on. That is, if you have the climate in AUTO mode and press the AC button off then turn the climate off. When you turn the climate back on in AUTO mode the AC will remain off. Alternatively, if you turn the climate off whilst the AC light is on, then the next time you turn the climate on in AUTO the AC will be on.
     
    #11 kithmo, Apr 26, 2016
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  12. DonJa

    DonJa Junior Member

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    #12 DonJa, Apr 26, 2016
  13. DonJa

    DonJa Junior Member

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    That explains it. I often need to switch to either Front Defog or Heat/Defog; that must be when the AC light comes on.
     
    #13 DonJa, Apr 26, 2016
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