Air recirculation in the winter--automatically disabled under 32 degrees

I've not read of anything other than the fogging issue... And perhaps the most antiquated thing about this system is how ignorant it is of the toxic nature of air pollution in general. These Prius have no way to protect the occupants if you're for example escaping a forest fire or are stuck in traffic with a bunch of giant diesal trucks. Even when you put the car on recirculate it's still drawing a portion of the toxic air in from the outside. What's most ridiculous about this is as per Tesla, it takes very little effort to use a HEPA air filter to clean out such a small enclosed space while sealing up the external events. Meanwhile, in winter I have to remember to turn off the default back to outside air every time I turn the car off or I'll start to feel sick from the first car exhaust I get behind. It's so ignorant and toxic to assume we're too stupid to prevent our windows from fogging, yet not smart enough to realize that our vehicle won't help protect us whenever we're in a location with toxic air outside the vehicle, regardless of which setting we choose.

 

Because spending a few extra dollars on every car to protect the lungs of its occupants who presumably are too dumb to know their lungs are at risk would eventually add up to losing millions of dollars in profits over time.

 

Thread topic went off the rails quick. Had it been me, a reply like “off topic” would have thrown my direction.

 

It has already been answered.

The moisture buildup inside can be quite quick and the result quite dramatic........if ICE forms on the inside of the windows.
This is especially true if there is more than one person in the car.

The AC will actually turn on automatically in some cold conditions too.
Best not to second guess any of that.
In about 99% of the situations, it automatically does the right thing.

Once it starts producing a decent amount of heat, you can over-ride it to your hearts content.

 

A lot of owners ARE that stupid and some of the others would probably stroke out if they were expected to replace an expensive filter every now and then...

I drove vehicles for years without a cabin filter and now I have to replace a HEPA filter? Unacceptable Toyota, unacceptable.....DeSiGn FlaW!

Edit:

 

Sources please that Toyota said hepa is required.

 

It's not, that response was sarcastic. I was replying to the fact that someone seems incensed that Toyota doesn't take the air quality in their cars serious enough for them.

People lose their minds at having to change cabin filters as is. If people want to live in vehicle bubbles they can easily purchase better filters for the cabin....

 

Because......a perceived possible tiny increase in heating efficiency.....perceived and possible......bears very near to NO weight against a possible safety issue.
Just because YOU seem to know how to remedy the situation doesn't mean that everybody does.
And your "remedy" likely more than wipes out that tiny efficiency gain that you are so worried about.

 

Lol... Reddit taught me that anyone who asks for sources to substantiate hypothetical explanations are not the kind of people you want to interact with unless you like getting trolled.

 

I’d chime in, that (overpriced) cabin air filters are something that just became “mandatory” in recent years; we drive most of spring, summer and fall (non-rainy days anyway) with the cabin air system OFF, just relying on partially or fully rolled down windows. On cool days roll up the windows and use the cabin air system, but mostly without AC. And virtually NEVER on recirc.

it is good to use AC periodically, to keep oil in the system circulated; I’m cognizant of that. We tend to use AC more through winter, to dispel humidity.

I also know constant AC use can leave a lot of humidity in the system, lead to mildew problems, so when using it try to turn it off at least a mile before destination, purposely run the fan fast, and maybe bump temp up too, to clear humidity in the system.

 

your turn- sources that say so.

 

The AC removes humidity. That's why it turns on with defrost....

 

Yes it removes humidity but where that moisture builds up before it drains out can be slightly smelly in some cars which makes people freak out for some reason.

 

Well, for starters, here's a link for a charcoal infused cabin air filter for $8.53: C35479 TOYOTA CHARCOAL CABIN AIR FILTER FOR TOYOTA PRIUS 2001 - 2009 | eBay

What was it you were saying about overpriced?

Also how is your sense of smell? Are you a cigarette smoker? Because lack of a sense of smell or having a smoking habit tends to make people unaware of air pollution and thus unable to know when they need to roll up their windows and put vent system on re-circulate to protect both their long-term and short-term physical health.

How about during the wildfires last Summer when we had more smoke on the west coast of North America than ever before our time? Did you still drive around with your windows rolled down?