A/C issue

don't know why they set it up that way, but i think it annoys just about everyone.

edited to add:
and welcome to PriusChat. would have included that to begin with... but i'm a bit groggy this morning. :lol:

 

it's important to point out thought that the AC isn't neccesarily runnning just because the AC but is lit. The Prius is "smart" enough to not use the AC when it doesn't have to (though directing air to the windshield will make it use the AC). So while it's annoying it shouldn't be the end of the world to have the AC button lit.

 

not sure I understand the difference.

I tend to run in two modes. System OFF or system in AUTO... I can switch this using the steering wheel button.... Sure when the system is in auto it will have the AC button on but if the outside air is cool enough it will not use the AC... then when I hit the AC AUTO on/off button on the steering wheel ahain it will shut down the system and I feel no air running at all..

What am I missing? I guess you want to run the fan on a hot day but not use the AC? Yes for this I think you have to go to the Climate page and hit AC off on the screen

 

It's explained in the manual. You do not have to go to "CLIMATE" to switch a/c on or off: just touch the a/c key on the steering wheel. Very easy and no trouble when you get used to it. If you keep a/c on all the time you almost never need your de-misting options except perhaps early on a very cold morning.

 

I've had several cars that automaticaaly put the A/C on when you engage the front windshield defroster. Just click climate, then push the A/C button, which shuts it off. Or push the A/C button on your steering wheel. It's not just a Prius thing.

 

Might I suggest that the reason your windscreen gets misted up and you have to activate the front demister is that your climate control is totally off?

And the behaviour that "AUTO A/C" activates A/C can be disabled by the dealer. It can be changed to be a simple toggle that keeps the A/C switch in whatever state you last left it.

Likewise, the temporary turn on of the A/C switch when you ask for front demist can be deactivated by the dealer.

 

I got mine switched to manual on off.
Much better.

 

When you say you "want to shut off A/C not Auto A/C", do you mean that you want the fan (and heat) to be running and coming out of the vents, but not be air conditioning the air? If so, then what people said is correct; A/C is put on in the defroster and you have to manually turn it off through the MFD (unless you have it changed at the dealer).

However, your original post suggested that you wanted EVERYTHING off (i.e. with the heat off and the vents closed). If THAT is the case, than you can do what Walker1 suggested:

1. Push windshield defrost button on S/W: windshield defroster on (with A/C)
2. Push windshield defrost button again: System goes into Auto A/C
3. Push Auto A/C button on S/W: system turns off.

 

I'm not totally sure (I'll check when I go home), but I'm fairly certain that, if I turn the front defroster on (with the button on the steering wheel) and then turn it off (by pushing that same button again), the system goes into A/C Auto. You can then turn off the Climate Control by pushing the A/C Auto button again.

BTW, this is on a 2005 in the USA, if that makes any difference.

 

I've had that exact same problem. I figured out a way around it. When you turn off the front defog, the AUTO A/C comes on.

On the MFD climate control, while it is still AUTO A/C, change the airflow from the floor to the 2nd or 3rd icon which should be either front vent or front vent and feet. Turn the climate control system off and then try turning on the front defog and then turning it back off... the AUTO A/C should not come on again.