The Toyota brochure wasn't very clear on this as it just says "Power tilt/slide moonroof with Solar Powered Ventilation System and Remote Air Conditioning System with sliding sunshade" (Source: https://cdn.dealereprocess.net/cdn/brochures/toyota/2015-prius.pdf ). Has anyone seen in say a 2013-2015 Prius a moon roof without the solar feature?
Yeah, and while it does a little bit for the heat it isn't really worth it. I bought mine used, and it was the best deal so I got it. But I don't find myself using the moonroof much, it's usually too warm to leave the shade open, and the solar panel only runs that little fan. If it charged a little battery with a usb port for charging, especially in emergency situations, that would give it some value. But, ultimately, it seems to only be a marketing thing from Toyota. SM-N950U ?
I have a 2010 trim V, and I agree. It's very nice, but it's basically just gilding the lily (as it were).
One time at work I came back from lunch and all the shaded parking spots were taken so I had to park out in the sun. 4 hours later I was able to start the car but EV never came on. As I drove off, I blasted the AC. The last minute of driving EV finally came on. Got home & parked the car, saw the solar panel button disengaged. I've parked 8 hours directly under the sun many times before w/fans running, EV always did its thing. That's why that feature isn't a gimmick if you can put it to use. If I had the trim package 5, I wouldn't be able to use the radar cruise control & parallel park assist. My commute is all country side driving with no one in front of me majority of the time and there's no parallel parking where I commonly park at. Now that trim is a gimmick
The original intent of that solar panel was to charge the hybrid battery. They ran into some issues with some sort of interference (electromagnetic I guess). Maybe it's too hot to be useful where you are but it was quite useful here in Canada. It basically reduced the heat build-up inside the cabin, allowing the A/C to work more efficiently and quickly to reduce the cabin temperature. Parking next to our Gen 2, the difference is noticeable (and the Gen 2 had the beige interior, while my Gen 3 had the dark grey interior)
I bought a used 2011 plus performance evolution with the sunroof / solar panel and I love it! I live in Gilroy and have also used the AC button on a hot day. The sunroof also comes in handy to help cool down the traction battery. The back seat now has a cover and my husky survives the hot days! Thank you Toyota!!! Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Since you have a dog.... You should get this filter. Got the larger filter from Toyota, and the other is a/c filter from home depot or lowes... I just wash it with water once a month and let it dry. The extra foam helps keep the fur out. You don't want another husky in the HV battery system!
Also, I'm on my 3rd back seat cover. 1st one was really cheap and started to fall about within a month, and the first time I washed it. The 2nd one was better, it was lasting longer. 3rd and current one, is doing much better. It was on sale from $40-50, down to $25. It's a little wider so it reaches the doors on the Prius. And the zippers work from top to bottom. The other's kept working their way down, almost useless, not quite, but close. The only downside so far is when I have one side open, the slider for the zipper will fall off. I didn't know that one had come off, and I shook out the liner, and the slider went into the yard! I didn't realize it because I was doing it quick because it was going to rain and I wanted to get the dogs in the car and get on the road. I didn't bother to zip it up. I found out the next day when I was on the other side of the state. But, I did find it when I got back!!! I can wipe 95% of the fur off with my hands, it's nice! A little sticks, but not like the other ones. I've washed it twice, but I think it's waterproof!
Well, I've never had an issue with my traction battery, so maybe it does more than I think? SM-N950U ?
it is the intake grille in the back seat for the hybrid battery cooling fan. but he is replying to someone else about dogs, not your original question
