A/C automatically on?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ozymandias @ Feb 24 2007, 12:25 AM) [snapback]395676[/snapback]</div>

The trick is to tap "Auto" and that puts Auto & A/C on. Then, just tap A/C, and that'll take t off, and still leave the "Auto" on. Good luck!

 

You have to remember AC is NOT Air Conditioning - or rather, it is but in the literal sense of the phrase. It's heating as well as cooling.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ozymandias @ Feb 23 2007, 09:25 PM) [snapback]395676[/snapback]</div>

The Prius is the smartest car on the road, including the climate control system. Yes, you can turn off the compressor as described, but why would you want to? The Prius' Air Conditioning system has a humidity sensor, so if your hot breath in the cold winter starts to fog the windows, the compressor will come on at low speed (compressor speed, not fan speed) to provide dried conditioned air at the temperature you have set. If it's very sunny, and you get heat buildup through the windows, the air conditioning system will reduce the call for heat from the ICE to keep you comfortable. When you start the car in the cold, electric heating elements warm the cabin air, not heat from the ICE until it is operating at temperature.

The best advice about the Air Conditioning system? Set it and forget it. Enjoy your new car, you're getting better fuel economy than you ever have had before.

 

All very well, but the "AC" light in the corner of the screen does indicate the cooling part - the compressor - as the original poster thought. Whereas all the other AC references like the "A/C AUTO" light and button mean climate control generally. Very poor UI design there.

But the important point is that the AC light only means that the compressor is enabled to run if the automatic controls think it is necessary, depending on target temperature and ambient conditions. It doesn't mean it's going to run all the time. Turning the button off means it can't ever run the compressor, and has to make do with fresh air.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ozymandias @ Feb 24 2007, 08:53 AM) [snapback]395763[/snapback]</div>

I used to fuss with my climate control, thinking I could do a better job than the computer, but now I just set the temperature and forget it. Once in a great while I push the defrost button on the steering wheel, but usually the computer beats me to that too.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ozymandias @ Feb 24 2007, 12:25 AM) [snapback]395676[/snapback]</div>

the "AC" button on the climate control will be on when the system is on automatic. It does not necessarily mean that compressor is running, but it will when it determines it needs to. Many other cars do the same thing. And for decades, many cars used outside temperature sensor to switch the AC compressor on and off for the windshield defog setting. Heck, I had a '76 Pinto that did that. The Prius climate control is hardly the smartes on the road - I have a Chrsyler with climate control just as smart, if not smarter - it does eveything the Prius system does, and adds driver and passenger controls.

I used to get irritated with that car running the compressor when it was cold and rainy out, but it made sense. Air Conditioning controls humidity, which makes the defogger much more effective.

Like many others that drive cars with auto climate control, I just set mine a forget it. Pretty much limit my control to the two buttons on the steering wheel - "Auto AC" or windshield defog as needed.

 

Thanks for the info, all.

I have been fiddling, turning A/C off after turning Auto on. I'll just set it to Auto and select the temp I want.

On short trips on cold days, I'll turn the climate control completely off so I can get auto-stop at lights. As long as I'm dressed warm and it's a short trip, it works for me.

Harry