Heater Settings

Even though the auto button is not lit up it is still in auto. The fan speed will still self adjust and the temp will still be automatically controlled. I threw me off the first time too. Just another Prius quirk.

 

i use manual for those very reasons. ask the dealer if they can change the setting, if it's not in the manual.

 

That's odd. I checked mine - was on AUTO, RECIRC & A/C. It let me turn the A/C OFF and still kept AUTO.

 

Try changing where the air comes out, that's when the auto light goes out. Weirdly enough it still operates in auto.

 

You mean the Climate's ECO settings? I'll check.

 

No change from say the vents to the floor or vice versa.

 

This predicates on it being similar to 3rd gen:

Hit Auto, then the override you want, say High/Low mode. Then if you for example turn the system right off, you have a couple of ways to turn it back on:

1. Hit Auto (ok, but will dismiss your high/low setting)
2. Hit Up on fan speed (this will turn the system on, with all your previous override still)

 

I'm not aware of any vehicle that allows you to permanently set the defaults for the Auto setting. On hot days the fan speed comes on at the max in all of the cars that I have owned. I wish that I could set an upper limit.

 

More unnecessary Prius complications!!

I should have bought a used Toyota Echo.

Or that $11,000 Nissan Versa.

 

I had a weird thing happen. Three mornings in a row, when I got in the car there was a big wet spot on the inside of the windshield, right at eye-level on the driver's side. That never happened before. And I haven't been doing anything different with the HVAC or vents, etc.

And no amount of defrosting or heat would remove it. I finally had to stop, and get a towel and wipe the inside.
It hasn't happened again since.

Just another Prius Oddity...

 

Beats me. It hasn't occurred again. I will add that to my growing list of weird Prius things.

Leading the list, are grabby brakes that throw me into the dashboard. If I had to explain this car to somebody, tell them all about the ins & outs… I wouldn't even know where to start! It is the strangest car I have ever driven.

Gotta keep telling myself… Don't analyze it, just drive it. (But the strange and weird things keep piling up.)

 

HAL 9000

I've been driving in the "Normal" drive mode for 3 weeks now, and I noticed the AC is not getting as cold as it once was. I have it set at 65 degrees, and it sure is not 65 degrees! I can barely feel any cool air. Even when fan is cranked up.

HAVC Eco button is not on.
Vents are at high/low.
All systems are normal.

Just ANOTHER Prius Oddity....

Every day is a NEW adventure.

The HAL 9000 computer must be mad at me, or something.

 

I'm sorry I can't do that Dave As far as the brakes grabbing go, that's an easy fix. Because the Prius relies on regenerative braking, the friction brakes often don't get whole lot of use. As a result they get a light coating of rust on them from humidity, rain, etc. When the friction brakes do kick in and there is a film of rust on the rotors it grabs and tries to throw you thru the windshield. The fix is to get the car up to 50-60mph, put it in neutral and apply the brakes firmly, repeat this a couple of times and that grabbyness will go away. The Gen 4 can safely go into neutral at these speeds and not over speed MG1, previous Gens have lower speeds. Hope this helps.

 

I do not know. On our third gen, I'll get occasional VERY grabby brakes, just at start up, typically in reverse. Touch the brakes and it feels like you just HIT something. This is not surface rust on rotors, likely software bug. They have zero modulation: it's off or locked.

Only lasts a few seconds, shift to D and ok.

 

Several people with a Gen4 have reported the grabby brakes. Mine occurs mostly at slow speed's when going down the driveway, or slowing down to stop at a red light. Just something I have to be aware of.

But when I was shopping for cars, I did also see many Prii's that had rust on the rotors.

 

Rotors invariably rust, with any car. They're non-stainless (odd expression) steel. Wash the car and let it sit a day or two, the rotors WILL get a rust bloom, and be a bit noisy for a block or two.