Who Uses Remote AC?

"Remote Engine Start" and "close the vehicle with manual key - love it ice cold when i get back" ?

No wonder that you americans pollute the planet more than every other nation...

 

Oops. thought you were in China!

 

China has just surpassed US in total energy use.
Looks like you'll now have focus your ire east instead of west.

From your profile, I would hazard a guess that you have not had the distinct pleasure of opening up your vehicle after it has sat for hours out in the blazing sun on a 100+ (F) degree day like many of the members here who live in the US south do.

 

Remote A/C in Ultra Hot weather....

I just got back from a road trip from the San Francisco Bay Area to Long Beach (And Palm Springs). Of course Palm Springs was in a heat wave over the weekend, and it was 118ºF at 53% humidity! Needless to say the Solar Roof keep the car nice a cool inside...NOT. But it wasn't deadly in there. I'm sure it made a big difference.

The Remote A/C did little good, because the air conditioner was always having to blast and with no Highway Driving, kept the traction battery down much of the time.

However, even when I did give the car the 3 minutes to try to cool down with the Remote A/C...it did little good. That was just too much heat in direct sun.

Oh, and by the way, ECO mode is a bad idea in weather like that....it pretty much throttles the A/C so much, it can't keep the car cool, even on the highway. Once I took it off of ECO, it help a lot, but didn't effectively cool me down till it was 105ºF as I left Palm Springs and returned to Long Beach. I had to keep the vents pointed directly at my face to feel comfortable.

 

In the New York heat wave this summer I'm finding the SR/remote AC a big disappointment in an otherwise wonderful car. The solar roof ventilation system doesn't seem to do very much and the short distance on/3 minute off/ opening door off, combination makes the remote AC just about useless. I wish some more thought went into the whole design.

 

I test the distance today it is 50 meters. And when i went to the car it was cool enough. The temperature here in Athens today was 37oC.

I use to use the remote AC it is one of the best thinks that my prius has.

 

I just tested my new 2010 Prius V Remote Start and got 70 paces I estimate to be around a yard. (New car and I presume a new FOB). My test was line of sight to the side, and also behind the car.

 

Yeah, for a $4k option, not thrilled with it. Don't find the 3 mins to do much. When it's been the best is when I can start it from in a restaurant. That way it gives it a few mins to cool.

 

:third:

 

Does anyone know if there's a way to change the vehicle settings so that AC does NOT turn off as soon as you open the door? And/or is there a way to eliminate the 10 minute wait between turning off the engine and getting the solar powered ventilation system to start?

I've had the same problem as other users in terms of getting useful results from the AC, though I've gotten it to activate at ranges well in excess of 50 feet, provided relatively unobstructed line-of-sight to the vehicle.

 

An aftermarket remote start like the Viper unit will start the car from up to 1 mile away and run the A/C or Heat for up to 60 minutes. It will still turn off the car when you open the door.

You can also start the car with your phone from anywhere in the world using your smart phone.

 

I like it and use it. Was it worth $4k? naaaahh.

 

Do you have tinted windows? I'm just wondering because my ventilation system makes a huge difference, but maybe it's my tinted windows and not the ventilation system after all. Just wondering...