We Need a Pet Mode

You can actually do that - keep it powered, brake, in "P" and lock the car with the key.

You take the risk though that should someone break in, the ignition is ON and they can drive away - with your dogs.

The other thing which could happen is that someone may notice the dogs inside, not realise that they're nice and cool, and smash a window to "save" them.

 

I built such a system years ago for an '88 Camry station wagon... using a relay box with various timing circuits that plugged into the ignition switch harness. To enable the system, there was a button that had to be pressed with the vehicle running, allowing time to turn the ignition switch to the lock position (engine/AC system would keep running) and then opening the driver's door and getting out of the vehicle. There was a lockout feature that gave about 30 seconds to get out of the vehicle and and lock the doors. Once the time out expired, opening any door would immediately kill the engine, shut down all electrics, and revert to normal vehicle off secure mode.

The door timeout function in addition to what is described above, solves the problem of someone breaking into the vehicle and driving it off while in "pet mode".

 

I would assume the cat would be in a cat carrier - if I did it with my dogs more than a couple of minutes, they'd be crated (they normally travel secured in a harness). Otherwise there's the chance they might go for a joyride. And I've seen the damage done to cars by dogs.

 

In my energi, I can shut the car down, exit and lock, and then activate the pre-conditioning mode via the FOB or phone. It will run for 10 minutes and can be repeated once.

Personally if I have to leave my pets that long, they stay home or exit with me.

 

I've used the Park in Ready mode a number of times. It allows us to leave the dog in the car with the AC running while we get something to eat or do some shopping. Would never do that in a car that required the engine to be running all the time. We have a sign that says "Dog is OK - Air Conditioning is running" and a thermometer to prove it. I still slip out of the restaurant every 15 minutes or so to verify that everything is OK.

 

I left my elderly mother in like that a while back while I went to the PostOffice and Chemist (Pharmacy). She was happy not to get out on the hot day.

- I wonder if I should have put a sign on?

 

When my son bought his 2915 Prius v he made sure he got the remote start. He sometimes takes his dogs to outdoor agility trials and he leaves the dogs crated in the car with the air conditioning running.
I am not sure how the remote start option assists with this.

 

Would it be illegal? Around here it is, needless idling. Never enforced tho.

 

The engine only turns on when needed to charge the battery. No needless idling.

 

We'll agree to disagree. I've heard the same argument for Prius at gas stations: they're the "chosen", no need to turn the car off, it so rarely runs...

 

The manual & law say to turn them off when fueling. It depends on the law's wording whether leaving the car in READY mode with ac running is legal or not.

 

Ever seen those ads that start "I'm not a lawyer but...". Anyway, I'd like to be a fly on the wall, when someone's explaining to the judge that their hybrid is a special vehicle, not subject to the laws of the land, hardly ever runs...

The other day, a hot one, flirting with 30C, we were walking the dog (what else is new), and there was some "convention" happening down the block, about 3~4 vehicles parked, unloading some furniture or something. All of the them running, some without any occupant, AC fans cycling on/off. Inexorably heating up our world.

 

Were they Prii or conventional burners?

 

Conventional. But don't try to throw me off the scent.

 

If you want scent, my wife is trying to help a small piglett heal. Pigs definitely have scent.

BTW, this discussion officially stinks!

 

Do not know about other places, but in California the vehicle code only applies to public roads. This specifically does not include parking lots, fast food car service lines, drive up banking, your driveway, campgrounds, etc. A property owner can enable vehicle code application by posting signs to that effect, but absent the signs, the vehicle code does not apply.

So those truck stops with dozens of idling 18-wheelers are perfectly legal so long as the facility operator hasn't posted the required signs.

As for idling, that is something a Prius never does. If the engine is running, there is a reason such as moving the car, heating up the catalytic converter or charging the battery.

 

The car's sitting in place, engine occasionally running, but it's not idling. Right...

 

In the AC operation situation, the engine runs only to recharge the HV battery. That's not idling, it's doing work to enable operation of the AC. Try visiting some place like Palm Springs or Death Valley in the middle of summer.