Is the air conditioner compresor on when the heater is on?

You almost had me. However, the CO2 refrigerant was "developed and applied for Toyota's fuel cell hybrid vehicle launched last December."

As an aside, in my previous car, a 1987 MBZ 300E, pushing the defroster button of the climate control system always switched on the a/c compressor and overrode both the thermostat and the fan controls to the highest settings.

 

Re: Is the air conditioner compresor on when the heater is o

I don't know if this is still the case, but when I last visited Europe (1973), "air conditioning" was a weak sort of way to move the air around, and if we wanted it cold we needed to turn on the "ventilator."

Certainly Toyota calls all cabin air movement "air conditioning." The actual A/C button or the need to really cool the car when Auto is on will activate the A/C compressor.

 

so what does the Prius use??

i figured its just nitrogen or CO2 anyway...

 

Man i think we got off the subject for 04's question. I also had the same concers, does the compressor run when you just want heat, ie can you just leave the auto a/c on even in the winter when you just want heat or is it better to go into the screen and manually turn off the a/c? Also i know what he's talking about regarding using the defrost mode and the compressor. On my older Chrysler cars it said when you push the defrost button the a/c automatically comes on to help defog the windows but not when the temp. drops below 32 degrees.

 

The air conditioning systems on my 1985 Audi 5000S Turbo and 1987 Mercedes Benz 300E were as good as on any American or Japanese cars which I have experienced. The dealer installed unit on my 1973 Ford Capri (imported by Mercury) was the worst ever.

R-134a, according to this site:

SAE Phoenix Alternate Refrigerant Symposium Summary - July 18, 2004

 

I agree the fan speed is controlled by the computer, but i wonder if the compressor will always be off below 32 like my older Chrysler cars?

 

Re: Is the air conditioner compres on when the heater is on?

From page 185 of the 2005 Owner's Manual (excerpts):

To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield -

4. Leave the air conditioning on-off button off.

When the front windshield switch is touched, the air conditioning is set to operate and the OUTSIDE AIR mode is set.

 

You are most welcome; however, all this information comes from the owner's manual.

It also states that pushing the steering wheel windshield defroster button for a second time automatically returns the climate control system to its previous mode.

 

Re: Is the air conditioner compresor on when the heater is o

Remember the Prius air conditioner compressor motor is run by a electric motor and has been pointed out runs the compressor at a speed necessary for the task at hand. In most other cars the compressor runs off the engine and is all on, all off. In that system the air conditioner is all on all off. This is inefficient. I would not hesitate to use the air conditioner to clear the windows. I most cars the air conditioner is activated when the defrost cycle is turned on. In the Prius the amount of energy used is controlled and reduced as compared to other cars. Safety is important the amount of lost energy is small, some one with more knowledge than I could calculate the loss. I would bet it is small. Would you be willing to give up a few tenths of a m.p.g. to see better. If not I have a sponge covered chamois you can get that will help you clear your windows, as for myself I will use the defroster.

 

geeus

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(10132003\";p=\"44613)</div>

You almost had me. However, the CO2 refrigerant was "developed and applied for Toyota's fuel cell hybrid vehicle launched last December."

As an aside, in my previous car, a 1987 MBZ 300E, pushing the defroster button of the climate control system always switched on the a/c compressor and overrode both the thermostat and the fan controls to the highest settings.
[/b][/quote]
* puts on reading glasses *

Darn, you're right!

Silly me!