1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Best vent setting (when not using AC)?

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by darkgiant, Aug 15, 2021.

  1. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    A silly question but curious: what vent setting do folks use when the AC/heater is off. I ask as for over 10 years of owning different Prius's, I have noticed my cars tend to develop the windshield interior film/haze/glare pretty fast (within two to three weeks of cleaning), whereas cars driven by family members do not. I suspect it's likely due to defaulting to the windshield vent setting all the time (even when using the heater in the winter). I assume using that vent setting obviously pushes air to the windshield leading to a faster buildup of the film/haze/glare on the interior side of the windshield.

    I am thinking of defaulting to the foot setting (when the AC and/or heater is off), but I am curious what vent setting people usually default to.
     
    #1 darkgiant, Aug 15, 2021
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,782
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Whatever the design default is when the system is OFF.
     
    #2 sam spade 2, Aug 15, 2021
  3. burrito

    burrito Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2021
    274
    114
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Personally, when it's off I turn on the recirculate function, so there is no air at all.

    The haze is often attributed to offgassing from the plastic in the dashboard and elsewhere in the interior. I'm not sure if this has actually been proven or disproven by anyone.
     
    #3 burrito, Aug 15, 2021
  4. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,518
    1,790
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    I would think any off-gassing is a done deal for a 2013 Prius, or any car for that matter.
     
    #4 RRxing, Aug 15, 2021
  5. burrito

    burrito Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2021
    274
    114
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I agree. The offgassing people say the plastic is getting old and breaking down, giving off other gasses.

    I haven't come across anyone who has tested the residue to see what it is, though.
     
    #5 burrito, Aug 15, 2021
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i can't imagine what else would be leaving a residue on the windshield
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 15, 2021
  7. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The plastics off-gassing idea is very likely what leads to the film/haze/glare, however, we have a Ford Escape Hybrid which doesn't seem to have this issue (though, no idea if we default the vent to the windshield setting). It is over ten years old too. I do "polish" my interior with Aerospace 303, so perhaps that is the culprit (though, it's supposed to improve plastic off-gassing according to detailers)...
     
    #7 darkgiant, Aug 15, 2021
  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,782
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    For safety reasons, there still IS some air flow, just not enough that you notice.
    Probably from the floor vents.
     
    #8 sam spade 2, Aug 16, 2021
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,667
    38,209
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Off-topic, but I really wish one of the vent modes was windshield only, not just windshield/heat. I apprecieate if you hit the front defog button that's what you get, but that seems a special case, rip-roaring with auto-AC, not one of the regular modes.

    And, I'd crawl across broken glass if it'd get me a Prius with ergonomic, eyes-free manual heat/vent controls, but I'll leave that for another discussion, lol.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Aug 16, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)