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A/C not so cold!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Alexma, Apr 14, 2011.

  1. bagwell

    bagwell Active Member

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    I use a either a heat shield or car cover when parked at work and it helps a LOT, otherwise the car struggles to cool down from the 150 F internal temps.
     
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The Prius makes heat just like other cars with a heater valve in the engine coolant loop and a heater coil in the cabin. This should only be on when you are asking for heat.

    Have you had a chance to put the thermometer in the cooling vent? You should see about 40 degree F once the cabin cools down to your setting but before the compressor and fan start slowing down. Once the temperature setting is satisfied, the variable speed compressor and fan start slowing down to maintain the temperature setting. You probably will not get the 40 degree air once it starts slowing down.
     
  3. theodosia

    theodosia New Member

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    I've only had my prius for 3 mos, so I haven't been thru a full summer yet. But, I've had the A/C set on auto/78 degrees almost every day since I got it, and I haven't had much of a problem. I may feel differently in August.

    I do park in a garage at work, so I don't get direct sun except on the weekends. It does take longer to cool when it's been parked outside. I might get a heatshield for those times.

    I do wish it would start blowing sooner after start up. When it starts blowing, it's generally plenty cool, tho.
     
  4. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Our cars wait untill they can blow cool/cold air on you, thats the delay it preventing hot air to be blown on you. I love it on other cars i hate that 120 degree blast of hot air first thing.
     
  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The system is smart enough to wait to get to temperature before running the fan. This is to keep from blowing hot air in summer or cold air during the winter.

    I like this feature but my wife does not.
     
  6. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

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    Temperature reading on the dash was 100 deg.( outside temp) last Wed.
    The A/C was performing fine.
    Had the temp set on Lo and the fan 2 bars and recirculate.
     
  7. Econ

    Econ Member

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    What I have noticed..... It will cool better if your in the Power mode. ALSO call for temp of 68 or less. The computer overrides the temp and blower speeds throttle response etc..... depending what driving mode you are in.....
    Checkout the EV, Econ and Power modes. You will see the different responces

    Good luck
     
  8. eadams44

    eadams44 New Member

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    I am not real happy with the A/C either. Also, the compressor seems to make a LOT of noise. Can't hear it at all inside the car but if you leave it running and step out for something you hear the compressor buzzing away. Anyone else notice this or do I need to get it serviced?
     
  9. Metalman

    Metalman Member

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    Yesterday when driving toward the sun with the temperature at 93 degrees I noticed that the inside of the car got too warm (ECO). Since we were almost home we didn't do anything but redirect the air toward us. What I like about the Prius is that when we stop for short periods of time, the AC doesn't stop cooling like it does with a typical vehicle. In fact, I put it in park and went into a store while my wife sat in the car. The engine never started but the AC continued pushing out cool air. I think the system works well.

    Also, could the color of the vehicle (dark) affect the comfort level on hot days when running the AC?
     
  10. vday

    vday Member

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    Can't really explain it but the car seems to cool the second row better than previous cars but not so for the driver and the one next to him where it is less efficient. Of course it is much much better to pull out of a garage in the heat of the afternoon. :);)
     
  11. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Thats because the ICE is not running burning gas to cover up the sound of the ac. Are you saying your home ac makes no noise? So your only fix is to buy a different car so it can always burn gas to hide the ac compressor noise.
     
  12. dmvp

    dmvp Member

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    Question for those of you that are having issues.

    1. Do you actually have the A/C button lit up?
    2. Are you also using "Auto"?
    3. Do you happen to have the dark leather seats?

    I DO have the A/C button lit up, use Auto, and have light leather seats. I find the A/C to be the best I've ever had! I'm amazed at how quickly it actually starts cooling. During the sweltering days of summer I still don't usually set mine for less than 75 degrees. Usually have it set on 78-80 depending how hot it is outside.

    I'm perplexed at those of you having difficulty, and hope you figure out what the issue is.
     
  13. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    Also, the inverter, which converts electrical current as needed, makes noise. Part of the Prius experience.
     
  14. eadams44

    eadams44 New Member

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    My home A/C makes noise as does any A/C compressor. This one is just very different from anything I have ever heard and was just asking if anyone else thought it to be abnormally loud or weird? Didn't mean to offend anyone. I do love my Prius but am willing to admit it has a shortcoming or two. Gee...
     
  15. Dov

    Dov New Member

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    AC is important to me since I have Asthma. Can you keep temp and humidity down when it is 90+ for both?
     
  16. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    +1. I live in the very, very hot humid south and the Gen III A/C is awsome!
     
  17. Ottlane

    Ottlane New Member

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    It was 96 degrees three days last week, with high humidity. I set it on auto, 70 degrees and it really was slow to cool down...but..that was in ECO mode...when I turned off ECO mode, there was a significant improvement. No complaints, A/C works extremely well!
     
  18. unkprius

    unkprius Member

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    +1+1 Temperatures 100+ sometimes here now and after driving 5 - 10 minutes I have to put the ac on fresh air setting as it's too cold for me on recirculate. I have it set at 78, and have white exterior, bisque interior. I don't want any more cool air! :p
     
  19. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Sorry i come across harsh. just hard for me to understand a ac compressor making noise a short comming. Maybe yours is not normal, if we could hear a recording of it we can compare it to ours.
     
  20. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    I'm in the hot AZ desert, and unless the outside temps are above 115°F, I rarely take the car out of Eco mode. I also keep the A/C set to 78°F to help save on gas.

    Eco mode chops about 300 watts off the max performance of the compressor. I've seen it as high as 1700w on a hot day (well over 100°F) per ScanGauge, but with Eco enabled, it drops to 1400w. Only at cooler temps when demand is really low would the compressor "cycle" more.