Can we make our Prius 5 try to use recycled air to defrost the windshield?

As long as it is already defrosted, just turning the cabin to AC (dehumidify) and recirc should work. If it is foggy, then you will need to tough it out for the 2 or 3 seconds it takes to defrost. The Prius defrosts faster than any other car I have ever had. My GenII literally takes 2-3 seconds to clear a 100% fogged up windshield to crystal clear. I drive with the HVAC off all the time so when I need defrost, I turn it on for a couple seconds then turn it off again for the 10-20 minutes before it starts getting foggy.

 

wrong answer lmao

 

if you put it on recirc, it stays for awhile and switches to outside. i think you just have to keep switching it back? maybe the dealer can reprogram it, but i don't think it will defrost/defog with inside air.

 

I would expect that someone will have to defeat the mechanics to change the ducting, I do not think even the dealer can change the software.

 

I keep wondering how people think they can keep the inside air as clean or cleaner than the average outside air, without installing reliable air seals and bringing along an auxiliary source of air to continuously flush out the human respiratory exhalations and the out-gassing the inside materials.

 

I have a 2010 Prius.

Basically, you turn on the system (sorry it's so automatic that I don't remember the exact buttons, so I think I press the AUTO button), then press the the MODE button until you get both the defrost and foot warmer icon. Then you can press the RECIRC button (fresh air in to the other one, which should be RECIRC) so you are using indoor air = defrost + indoor air.

This should allow you to defrost, albeit at a lower level/flow since some of the air is directed towards warming the feet, which I need if I was only using outdoor air to defrost. So this is usually run at a higher fan speed than if I were to use Defrost alone.

And I don't think you have to defrost with outside air (which should be cold) necessarily. I think defrosting with warmer air will remove the condensation (humidity) the same rate if not faster.

Regarding k21Toasters comment, I think the prius has the WORST defrost due to the slope of the front windshield and the location of the blowers - only the lower half of the windshield is clear and the top half of the windshield will fog up immediately if I turn off the defrost in the winter or on a rainy day. I can live with is as this is one of the design features that improves the gas mileage.

 

We get really cold down here, but less humid. In these scenarios, it works the best of any car I have been in. Almost instant relief.

 

yes, our humidity can be 'wicked'.

 

We at the coastal N East of the country, are suffering from humidity stress almost at all times

 

Just got back from a ski trip, driving back in a snow storm. Turned the car on as I took my boots off and loaded my skis and by the time I drove off, the cabin was warming, the windshield was defrosted and melting, and the rear hatch had melted the ice off so I could wiper it away.

 

The only time the Prius draws no outside air is when it is in the 3 minute filter mode.

 

yeah, I won't doubt that ^. My feet are cold all the time, even on recirc!