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Gen 3 Prius air vent output is weak compared to Gen 2

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by priusroadtrip, Aug 5, 2020.

  1. priusroadtrip

    priusroadtrip New Member

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    2011 Prius
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    Two
    Hello-

    I recently purchased a 2011 Prius coming from a Gen 2 Prius and it seems that the car's air vent output is much less and not as efficient as the previous Gen 2 Prius I had. On the Gen 2, I used to run with just the vent open and maybe at the lowest setting and it heats and cools the car pretty efficiently. I feel like I have to have the air speed set at closest to the highest setting in the Gen 3 to have the same output. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you replaced the cabin filter/checked the fan?

    is it one vent or all?

    are you using eco, normal or power mode? gen 2 doesn't have this option which reduces hvac power usage
     
  3. priusroadtrip

    priusroadtrip New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
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    Two
    Thanks bisco for the response. Yes I replaced the cabin air filter and there was no change. The air is coming out of all of the vents and it increases when I increase the speed but it just doesn't seem as efficient as the gen 2. Is there a way to check the fan.

    I've only run it in normal mode only.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    with the filter out, you can look at the fan with a mirror i think, and run through the speeds listening to the sound change.
    maybe you need to clean the intake, it's a bit complicated, under the ww wiper. there should be a thread here describing the dismantling.
    any difference between fresh air and recirc?