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Dust and pollen inside closed Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by roderunner, Apr 1, 2010.

  1. roderunner

    roderunner Junior Member

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    I have an 07 that sits outside all the time. If it's windy outside, I get lots of dust inside the cabin when the car is closed up. I feel lots of air coming in through the door handle slots and around the lock and window controls. Is this typical or am I missing some insulation or wind proofing?
     
    #1 roderunner, Apr 1, 2010
  2. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    No vehicle is air tight.
     
    #2 Rest, Apr 1, 2010
  3. roderunner

    roderunner Junior Member

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    Gee, really? I guess that means their not watertight, either.
     
    #3 roderunner, Apr 2, 2010
  4. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    Correct.

    I answered your first question truthfully. Air and dust will get into the cabin through various spots in a vehicle. It is more likely to happen in windy and dusty areas, where an outside pressure differential makes it hard to avoid.
     
    #4 Rest, Apr 3, 2010
  5. Tenora

    Tenora New Member

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    Yup, sounds like you have a bad seal. Maybe it's had some servicing done to the door and they forgot to put the barrier back? Or maybe just a bad bulb seal or something. Have it checked out.
     
    #5 Tenora, Apr 3, 2010
  6. cnschult

    cnschult Active Member

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    it may sound obvious and I do not mean to insult your intelligence or vehicular knowledge, but do you remember to activate 'Recirculate Air' mode after any HVAC adjustments, because the Prius seems to like to revert to 'Fresh Air' mode, which will bring in the dust & pollen you are trying to keep out. So even if you like to drive around in 'Fresh Air' mode, make sure you put the car into 'Recirculate Air' mode before you park and turn the car off overnight.
     
    #6 cnschult, Apr 4, 2010
  7. roderunner

    roderunner Junior Member

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    That's what I was thinking. No other car I've owned has had so much dust inside - even my 86 4Runner is tighter than the Prius - and it's doors have been worked on many times. I was curious to know if others had experienced a lot of cold air and dust coming in through the door controls - I know they (Toyota) don't put much soundproofing in the Prius. Thanks.
     
    #7 roderunner, Apr 4, 2010
  8. roderunner

    roderunner Junior Member

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    I usually keep the control in recirc. because I'm sensitive to exhaust fumes. I have found, most of the time, that if the fan control is at 1 (lowest speed) and the A/C is not on, it does not revert to the default position (fresh air) when the car is restarted. A Toyota service rep. says the fresh air default position is for safety's sake. I guess they worry about oxygen deprivation in the recirc. mode(?)
     
    #8 roderunner, Apr 4, 2010
  9. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    I am not the poster with this issue, I think you replied to the wrong person.
     
    #9 Rest, Apr 13, 2010
  10. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    This makes sense as exhaust fumes can enter the cabin when the vehicle is not moving. Also the 12 volt battery is in the cabin (rear hatch area passenger side pocket), even though it is vented, there could be a concern.
     
    #10 Rest, Apr 13, 2010
    1 person likes this.
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