Can anyone explain this behavior?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by Paul Gregory, Jan 29, 2025.

  1. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Active Member

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    Washing my car today, I noticed the parking lights blinking on and off and I heard the door-lock chime.
    At first I thought I may have been bumping the key fob in my pocket, but no, it was just happening by itself.
    I also thought it may have something to do with the webcam, but it happened when I was out of its view.
    I don't think I activated any motion sensors either. Still a mystery.
     
  2. RandyPete

    RandyPete Active Member

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    Did you encounter the front door handle area that locks/unlocks all the doors when washing with your hand, and key fob in your pocket?
    Put the key fob in the house and try washing it again, in a few days when it needs another washing.
     
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  3. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Active Member

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    I thought of that too, but I was at least 2 m away from the doors when it happened, so I doubt the RFID was active.
     
  4. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Active Member

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    That won't be happening; this was the last warm day before a cold snap arrives, with -25C forecast.
     
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  5. RandyPete

    RandyPete Active Member

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    Is -25 deg C approaching 10 deg F, at which point the car climate control system is said to stop heating the car ?
     
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Water from the hose will trip the lock/unlock trigger on the door handles when the fob is in my pocket while washing the Subaru.
     
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  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Happens with my 2010 at the car wash routinely. Owners' manual mentions it:

    [​IMG]
     

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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    in some cases, 2 m may not be enough
     
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  9. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Active Member

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    I've driven mine in -30 weather and I remained toasty inside. But I have a sheet of cardboard ahead of my radiator.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the heat pump is inefficient, but the engine produces plenty of waste heat
     
  11. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I always disable the fob when washing my car. Hold down the lock button while pressing the unlock button twice. The fob light will blink twice. Pressing any button once it is disabled will re-enable the fob. I found this info in my 2017 Prius manual as well as in my 2022 Venza manual.
     
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  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Hmm, doesn't seem to be a thing with a gen 3 fob. Too bad, that would be convenient.
     
  13. RandyPete

    RandyPete Active Member

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  14. RandyPete

    RandyPete Active Member

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    Is that waste heat used by the heat pump to heat the car ?
     
  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Not in the Prius. It takes heat from outside air, which is more efficient than using an electric resistance heater. Heat from the engine goes directly to the vents through the heater core.

    Some BEVs have their heat pumps gather heat from their motor/inverter and/or batteries.
     
  16. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Not sure what the question is, but as Trollbait said, there is both an electric heat pump and a heater radiator core in the Gen 4 and Gen 5 PHEVs. They are independent. Even with the A/C and fan off, you will get warm air from the vents if the engine is hot and the car is being driven fast as the fresh air from the outside goes through the heater core.
     
  17. RandyPete

    RandyPete Active Member

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    I did not now that there is a heater core in a US 2024 PP XSE model.
     
  18. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Your body or something else is rubbing on the lock button on the door handle.
     
  19. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    There is one in the Gen 4 PHEV. Since Gen 4 and Gen 5 are practically identical cars, I am sure there is one in the Gen 5 PHEV as well.
     
  20. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    This is the coolant system with the heater core in the Gen 4 PHEV. The heater core is described as “straight-flow aluminum II (SFA-II).”

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]