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

Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in bck

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gbcaine, Aug 16, 2005.

  1. gbcaine

    gbcaine New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2005
    3
    0
    0
    I went and test drove the Prius today and really liked it, the only problem I found was that it had no rear AC vents and it felt really hot in the back seat. I was originally going to buy the Lexus hybrid till I found out that the MPG was only slightly better than the non Hybrid version....hence I looked at the Prius, convinced that I would buy it. The deal breaker is the no rear AC b/c I have a 3 yr old who is always in the back seat, and does not like the wind blowing her hair all around. A hot cranky 3 year old is not pretty. We were only able to drive for about 5 minutes because the car was sold and it wasn't that hot of a day....anyone have this problem, and or a solution?
     
    #1 gbcaine, Aug 16, 2005
  2. Bill Lumbergh

    Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2005
    537
    7
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    Two things I would try: first tint the windows. Dropped temps in my car pretty dramatically (except when driving toward the sun for long periods).

    You might also try setting the A/C to both the floor and dash vents to ensure air is passed under the seats (via the underseat ducting). I set the A/C to Auto and 75 and everyone's happy.
     
    #2 Bill Lumbergh, Aug 16, 2005
  3. eak354

    eak354 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2003
    447
    0
    0
    Location:
    HI
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    :iagree yup tinting and having a sun shade does help a lot. though if the car was left out for some time in the sun, it would take longer to cool down. but otherwise, i'm cool. 8)
     
    #3 eak354, Aug 16, 2005
  4. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    295
    0
    Location:
    Ormond Beach,Fl.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Our Prius is always cool in the back as well as the front. On super hot days you have to give time for the whole car to cool.
     
    #4 paprius4030, Aug 16, 2005
  5. randalla

    randalla Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2004
    370
    2
    0
    Location:
    Lexington, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    So far, no complaints from our 3 year old girl about any lack of a/c reaching her. I also have one of those small roll-up window blinds on her door window to help shade her from the sun.

    I generally just set the thermostat to 75 or so and crank the fan up depending on how hot the interior is.
     
    #5 randalla, Aug 16, 2005
  6. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    5,339
    917
    251
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    My kids only complain on the hottest days - we simply have to make sure that the front vents are appropraitely aimed. Sometimes to appease them, I'll toss the A/C on floor so they can feel the A/C on their toes and not feel totally ignored. They're somewhat spoiled I guess by my In-law's Town and Country w/ Rear A/C.
     
    #6 HTMLSpinnr, Aug 16, 2005
  7. Ghoti

    Ghoti Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2004
    101
    10
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I regularly drive some friends around, and only once did one of the rear seat passengers mention not feeling much benefit from the A/C. When he did, I adjusted the driver's side center vent to blow over my right shoulder, and he immediately felt cooler. No need to spend money on shades or tinting, at least, not yet. :)
     
    #7 Ghoti, Aug 16, 2005
  8. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2005
    9,810
    464
    0
    Location:
    MD
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    We tinted our Pri, it made a big difference. It takes about 5 minutes for the car to freeze me out on a hot day (lately it's 110s with heat index) and I imagine if I'm freezing in the driver's seat it's fine in back.
     
    #8 galaxee, Aug 16, 2005
  9. KTPhil

    KTPhil Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2005
    1,379
    20
    0
    I find the Auto setting does not run the fan high enough sometimes. Try manually increasing the fan speed to circulate more air back there.
     
    #9 KTPhil, Aug 16, 2005
  10. jeromep

    jeromep Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2004
    827
    2
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Washington State
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    I don't like having cold air blowing on me, so I point my vents away from myself. I think that leads to others in the cabin having more cold air for themselves. I have yet to have a rear seat passenger complain.

    I rely on auto settings entirely. If the cabin feels too warm and the fan has slowed down, I drop the temp, and the fan goes up. Easy as pie.
     
    #10 jeromep, Aug 16, 2005
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,837
    16,073
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The position of the vents play a crucial role. I was sweating at the back seat and asked if the A/C was on. It was and told my mum in the front seat to re-position the vents. What a difference! I actually felt cold and had them turn down the A/C.

    So yes, rear vents would be nice to get the air to the back much quicker but since we don't have any, just play around with the vents that we've got.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2005
  12. removeum

    removeum Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2004
    407
    0
    0
    Location:
    El Paso, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    8) gbcaine,

    Just point both center vents up towards the ceiling and the two outboard vents towards the windows. I believe everyone will then be happy in MHO.


    Ben
     
    #12 removeum, Aug 16, 2005
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)