Remote A/C retrofit

I went with remote start because I live where I more need to heat up the car and remote A/C does not run very long or heat a car. Presuming that your model Prius automatically turns on the heat or A/C when it powers on (if you leave it on Auto), a remote starter from Toyota would be the most seamless upgrade.

 

do they have keys with a/c on them for gen 3? the pip has one, but only when plugged in i think.

 

Don’t know. Remote start uses standard fob. It’s a sequence of button presses that activates the car.

 

oh, that's right, good point.

 

Well, for me, the remote start was way better an option. Remote A/C only ran for a few minutes and/or until the battery level dropped so far. Remote start will run around 10 minutes and heat or cool the car.

It was $800 added when I bought the Prius new (although Toyota indicated the price was $500), but still...the best money I’ve spent.

Aftermarket versions might be cheaper, but make sure they guarantee compatibility with your year and model.

 

I don't know.

I had the auto-ac feature on my solar roof option gen 3 and was the reason I purchased that trim level. IF this would work at all, you'd need at minimum a NEW fob as a used one shouldn't be able to seed with the cars' SKS system. A long search of the factory manual would be needed to see how involved it becomes.

Anyway, I've installed "auto-start" systems on other vehicles and they work MUCH better (stronger signal, longer range etc.) than the auto-ac prius setup. The main difference would be the operator would have to set the HVAC system to appropriate settings before shutting off car as the auto-start simply starts the car (brings on-line in the case of a hybrid) and doesn't change settings. Make sure the manufacturer supports the Prius before purchase as the installation is fairly involved.

 

The solar package comes whit a AC button on the remote

 

Any answer on the original question? I was recently shopping around for an extra key fob, and saw some options with the AC button. Does my car have to have something added, or will just having the remote with AC button work? I bought my car used with just one key fob, no AC button. Lock/Unlock, and alarm buttons. I don't have a solar roof. 2010 Prius II

 

It's part of the solar roof package so my assumption would be if you don't have that then you can't just get the fob and get it to work. It's not that great anyways as I have it. It only works if the battery is above a certain level and then it will only run for a couple of minutes.