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

Slow A/C operation

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by LDB, Oct 23, 2016.

  1. LDB

    LDB Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2013
    279
    71
    0
    Location:
    Friendswood (Houston south suburb)
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    When I press the start button there is no output from the A/C for several seconds. Then it gradually steps up from the lowest fan speed to whatever speed the auto setting directs. It can be 10-15 seconds before full A/C operation. I'm used to all the prior "plain" cars that as soon as the engine started the A/C operated at whatever setting was selected. Is there any way to adjust the A/C in the Prius to come online more quickly?
     
    #1 LDB, Oct 23, 2016
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,670
    38,210
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    There's this in the Owner's Manual, page 277:

    upload_2016-10-23_8-29-55.png

    I think basically it's saying it may take a few seconds to come on,

    I've never noticed much of a delay; 10~15 seconds, as you say. I'd say the delay is because the system is smart, there's no advantage to instant fan response.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Oct 23, 2016
    Bluegrassman likes this.
  3. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    1,268
    860
    0
    Location:
    Monument, CO
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    We have the same delay in our Gen 3. If you think that's bad, don't get a Gen 4. Much longer delay. Have you tried Manual mode by setting the Fan speed manually? I haven't, but wonder if that would help.
     
    #3 FuelMiser, Oct 23, 2016
  4. LDB

    LDB Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2013
    279
    71
    0
    Location:
    Friendswood (Houston south suburb)
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I haven't experimented with that yet but I will. The Gen 4 is growing on me as far as appearance but doesn't up the mileage enough to tempt me plus as far as I know there's no solar roof option for it either.
     
    #4 LDB, Oct 23, 2016
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Remember that either when heat is "demanded" or cooling is "demanded" it takes a little while before there IS heat or cold in the associated energy transfer device (the heater core or the evaporator). The Prius has been programmed to take this into account. If the fan immediately started to blow, you would get warm (or hot) air when you wanted cool, and cool (or cold) air when you wanted heat.

    This is a feature, not a problem. ;)
     
    #5 David Beale, Oct 24, 2016
    Bluegrassman and Mendel Leisk like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)