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S-Flow not switching automatically

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by bbunge, Dec 14, 2016.

  1. bbunge

    bbunge Member

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    Had the family out to see holiday lights the other night and my backseat passengers were cold. The Pri. 2016 manual states that the S-Flow will turn on air flow to the back seat area when Auto is on and a backdoor is opened. This does not happen on my Prius 2. I have tested this several ways and the only way I can get heat to the back seats is to press the S-Flow off.
    Anyone else have this issue? Is this something I should address with my dealer?
     
  2. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Forgive me for asking, but did you set the climate to auto? The switch on mine can be pressed 3 times, first Eco, second Fast and third Normal. If on a short journey and it's cold outside, if opt for fast to get things moving quickly. Please come back with more.
     
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  3. bbunge

    bbunge Member

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    Yes, I stated Auto.
     
  4. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Thanks, I was just confirming. But did you cycle through from Eco, which is shown briefly in the upper screen?
     
  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    IT should also show Eco beside the fan speed display above the shifter,
     
  6. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    That's the drive mode in Eco, not the climate. ;)
     
  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Huh? The Eco beside the Climate control Fan speed is for the Climate Control. Press the Climate Control Eco button and watch it turn off.
    Are your controls different in the UK?
    upload_2016-12-14_15-12-56.png
     
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  8. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Actually, I don't remember seeing that on mine. Probably haven't looked close enough, so thanks again.
    Sorry bbunge for my omission.
     
    #8 RCO, Dec 14, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2016
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The controls are different for the UK. They have a "DUAL" button and the AUTO also has a small font that says "FAST".

    Enlarge photo and zoom in. This is the highest resolution photo that I can find.

    [​IMG]
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Dec 14, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2018
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  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well yes and no. There are no A/C vents in the rear (like in the Avalon or some of Toyota's SUVs) but there are still heater ducts (under the front seats) for the back seats.

    If you use the right D-pad on the steering wheel to cycle through the menus on the dashboard, you'll come across the climate control screen. Press "Enter" and then scroll down. It'll show you the S-Flow status. There are 3 possible modes for S-Flow - "Driver only", "Front seats", "All seats".


    I'm wondering if there's a difference between cars with 1-dr SKS and 3-dr SKS. It shouldn't cause the manual doesn't mention any difference but the manual isn't all encompassing.
     
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  11. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    According to my manual, it doesn't work the way you describe it.
    Mine says that in S-Flow mode, priority is given to the front seats reducing the effect to the rear and if a passenger is not detected in the front passenger seat, then airflow is directed to the driver only.
    Therefore according to my manual, if you want the rear passengers to be warm, you turn S-Flow mode off.
    So it's doing what it should.
     
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  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    The US manual also states:
    upload_2016-12-15_9-50-21.png
    I always open the back door to place my work equipment in the back seat , close the door, & then open the driver's door. My S-Flow is "driver only" then. Perhaps if the back door were opened & closed after the driver's door is closed, the result might be different.

    I do not know how/if this applies to the UK.
     
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  13. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Yes, mine says the same a few pages further on in the online manual. I only open the back doors to put the dogs in and they get put in before the car is started so S-Flow mode is still on the same as yours, If it's cold I turn it off so the dogs stay warm.
     
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