1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

phoenix heat

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by lucalou, Jul 26, 2005.

  1. lucalou

    lucalou New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2005
    13
    0
    0
    So I have been talking to dealers, thanks all for your feedback, emailing seems to be best way for me to handle talking to them. ALot less pressure. SO my next question, we have temperatures here of 110 degrees, does the airconditioning run off the engine and how does it affect the MPG.
    thanks
     
    #1 lucalou, Jul 26, 2005
  2. Ghoti

    Ghoti Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2004
    101
    10
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    To answer your actual questions; the AC is electrically powered, but the electricity is generated by the engine, so yes, the AC is enging-powered, though indirectly (in otherwords, it is indeed possible to have the engine not running and the AC happily providing cooler or warmer air, depending on how you want your air conditioned :)

    Using the AC, particularly if you have it in 'Max cold' or 'Max heat', will impact your fuel economy. I haven't really done any testing to see by how much, but it is probably noticable.

    I hope this is helpful.
     
    #2 Ghoti, Jul 26, 2005
  3. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2004
    4,333
    7
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    #3 IsrAmeriPrius, Jul 26, 2005
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,946
    16,165
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jul 26, 2005
  5. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    5,341
    919
    251
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I live in the same area, and commute from Surprise, to Tempe daily. I keep mine set at 78°F and it works just fine. Like any car A/C, highway speeds help it run cooler than sitting at idle.

    Consistent, heavy usage will impact mpg, especially in traffic situations where the battery would otherwise save gas. However even with the A/C usage, I still manage 48-50mpg in the summer heat. In the spring, I see mid-high 50's though. I do keep elevated tire pressures though (see other threads on tire pressures).
     
    #5 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 26, 2005
  6. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    13,439
    641
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg Manitoba
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius\";p=\"110627)</div>
    Nope that's the one from the first generation Prius. The 2nd generation uses the electric variable speed compressor.
     
    #6 jayman, Jul 27, 2005
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)