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extended test drive questions

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by strider5, Jan 18, 2008.

  1. strider5

    strider5 New Member

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    need some help here.

    1) is it just me or are the lights on the steering wheel buttons really dim? I havent found any way to make them brighter. I figured the brightness knob on the dash just left of the steering wheel would do this. are they dim, or have I not found the right knob?

    2) the climate is a little weird to figure out. I read somewhere that the AC button doesnt equate to cold air. what does it do? should I just push the AUTO button and set the temperature I want the inside to be?

    I really wanna make sure I get the most out of my drive, and not go away disliking something I just didnt understand. thanks for any help.

    anything else I should try?
     
    #1 strider5, Jan 18, 2008
  2. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    a few have done steering upgrades. there are dots, lines, bumps, and rivets to help you navigate. it's easy after a bit.

    it's climate control. It's designed to simulate the temperature you wish for the cab. if it's set to 73.. it will do what it needs to keep the cab at 73. if it's humid, it kicks on the compressor to bring humidity down... or compressor and outside air. it kinda has a mind of it's own.. much like the rest of the car... simply set it and forget. on warm days i choose 70.. on mild days i crack the windows.. on cold days it's set to 73 or 74.. and if it's around freezing.. I'll bump it up a degree or two.. 73 normally works.
     
    #2 V8Cobrakid, Jan 18, 2008
  3. strider5

    strider5 New Member

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    okay, no biggie for the steering wheel.

    but about the climate, I'm still foggy (no pun intended). on the touchscreen there is an A/C and an AUTO button.

    -are they independent of each other? or does AUTO turn on A/C as it sees fit?

    -does A/C mean "I want it colder" or does it literally mean "air conditioning" which could be colder or warmer.

    thanks
     
    #3 strider5, Jan 18, 2008
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    If you use the touch screen to turn on the fan the AC will also come on, you just touch the AC button on the screen if you want it off then you can set the vents or fan any way you want. The set temp will still make the heater work if it's cold so if you would like the fan on with no heat or AC you touch the fan speed you want then the AC button then lower the temp to minimum or less than ambient. If you need to demist front window it is the raised steering wheel button on the bottom right of the wheel and the dimpled button is the rear window.

    If you need to look at the steering wheel mounted controls to use them it may be best to stop the car first, the lighting of the buttons seems fine when it is dark, as long as you aren't trying to drive as well. Best to learn the feel of the buttons and use them by feel.

    Auto AC, just turn it on and set the temp where you want it. this willheat or cool as required. Easy.
     
    #4 patsparks, Jan 18, 2008
  5. Canuck

    Canuck Member

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    Your best friend here on PriusChat is "Search":) found in the top bar.
    V8Cobrakid answered your AC question and one that has been asked over and over by probably every new owner, myself included.
    AC should probably be named CC, short for Climate Control. Just set the temp where you would feel comfortable and hit AUTO. You can select recirc or have outside air ( if you wish to suck in the fumes of the machine in front of you) , it's your choice.
    Enjoy and happy trails
    Gary
     
    #5 Canuck, Jan 18, 2008
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    AUTO: toggles the automatic climate control. Will turn on the A/C if it's off.

    A/C: toggles the A/C compressor.



    Here's the thing:

    If you have it in AUTO and the A/C is on, then the A/C compressor is toggled by the computer (i.e. it may or may not be off depending on whether cooling is needed or whether dehumifying is needed).

    If you have it in AUTO and the A/C is off (the button is not lit), then the A/C compressor will always stay off but the system will try its best to maintain the temperature without the A/C.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Jan 19, 2008
  7. strider5

    strider5 New Member

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    aaahh perfect. this is exactly what i was trying to figure out.

    my jetta has just one AUTO button. push it and set the temp you want. you cannot ever tell if the AC or heater is on, but you can see it adjusting the fan speed if the temp is far from the setpoint.

    the prius makes sense, too. it's just different. thanks for the help.

    ONE MORE QUESTION:

    on the energy screen... does the orange gas engine light come on when the engine is *running* or when it is applying power? i.e. can the light be off and the gas engine is idling but not applying power?

    (I'm severely deaf and cannot hear the engine turn on and off)
     
    #7 strider5, Jan 19, 2008
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah Toyota just gives you that extra option of "I really really really want the A/C off but I still want it in AUTO" haha.

    Yes, the engine can be idling and you won't see any arrows on the screen. The monitor is called the "Energy Monitor". It monitors the flow of energy hence if the engine is idling and not sending power anyway (to the wheels or to recharge the battery), then nothing is shown on the screen.

    You can tell if the engine is on if you see 0.0mpg at the bottom of the screen. That's a better indication.

    Note that if you're idling, the engine idles at a lower rpm if it's idling on its own that if it's idling and recharging the battery. I've yet to figure out which is better - have it idle on its own to warm itself up or have it recharge the battery while it's idling to warm itself up.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Jan 19, 2008
  9. N3FOL

    N3FOL Member

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    I know what you mean about the illumination of the steering wheel buttons. It is just not enough light there. I guess I'll have to get used to it as well. If it is really dark, it is not so bad. After driving the Prius for the last 2 months, I pretty much know where the buttons are located without looking down.

    As far as the AC and Auto is concerned, I've never really used it this winter yet. I know I will have to use it more often in the summer months, since I love to feel comfortable inside the box. :D
     
    #9 N3FOL, Jan 19, 2008
  10. strider5

    strider5 New Member

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    I returned the silver pkg 6 test drive car and bought a magnetic grey pkg 6
    :) it arrives at the dealer in 10 days!

    thanks for all the help!
     
    #10 strider5, Jan 19, 2008
  11. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    The longer you own it the more you will love it.
     
    #11 patsparks, Jan 19, 2008
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