A/C not so cold!

I use a either a heat shield or car cover when parked at work and it helps a LOT, otherwise the car struggles to cool down from the 150 F internal temps.

 

The Prius makes heat just like other cars with a heater valve in the engine coolant loop and a heater coil in the cabin. This should only be on when you are asking for heat.

Have you had a chance to put the thermometer in the cooling vent? You should see about 40 degree F once the cabin cools down to your setting but before the compressor and fan start slowing down. Once the temperature setting is satisfied, the variable speed compressor and fan start slowing down to maintain the temperature setting. You probably will not get the 40 degree air once it starts slowing down.

 

I've only had my prius for 3 mos, so I haven't been thru a full summer yet. But, I've had the A/C set on auto/78 degrees almost every day since I got it, and I haven't had much of a problem. I may feel differently in August.

I do park in a garage at work, so I don't get direct sun except on the weekends. It does take longer to cool when it's been parked outside. I might get a heatshield for those times.

I do wish it would start blowing sooner after start up. When it starts blowing, it's generally plenty cool, tho.

 

Our cars wait untill they can blow cool/cold air on you, thats the delay it preventing hot air to be blown on you. I love it on other cars i hate that 120 degree blast of hot air first thing.

 

The system is smart enough to wait to get to temperature before running the fan. This is to keep from blowing hot air in summer or cold air during the winter.

I like this feature but my wife does not.

 

Temperature reading on the dash was 100 deg.( outside temp) last Wed.
The A/C was performing fine.
Had the temp set on Lo and the fan 2 bars and recirculate.

 

What I have noticed..... It will cool better if your in the Power mode. ALSO call for temp of 68 or less. The computer overrides the temp and blower speeds throttle response etc..... depending what driving mode you are in.....
Checkout the EV, Econ and Power modes. You will see the different responces

Good luck

 

I am not real happy with the A/C either. Also, the compressor seems to make a LOT of noise. Can't hear it at all inside the car but if you leave it running and step out for something you hear the compressor buzzing away. Anyone else notice this or do I need to get it serviced?

 

Yesterday when driving toward the sun with the temperature at 93 degrees I noticed that the inside of the car got too warm (ECO). Since we were almost home we didn't do anything but redirect the air toward us. What I like about the Prius is that when we stop for short periods of time, the AC doesn't stop cooling like it does with a typical vehicle. In fact, I put it in park and went into a store while my wife sat in the car. The engine never started but the AC continued pushing out cool air. I think the system works well.

Also, could the color of the vehicle (dark) affect the comfort level on hot days when running the AC?

 

Can't really explain it but the car seems to cool the second row better than previous cars but not so for the driver and the one next to him where it is less efficient. Of course it is much much better to pull out of a garage in the heat of the afternoon.

 

Thats because the ICE is not running burning gas to cover up the sound of the ac. Are you saying your home ac makes no noise? So your only fix is to buy a different car so it can always burn gas to hide the ac compressor noise.

 

Question for those of you that are having issues.

1. Do you actually have the A/C button lit up?
2. Are you also using "Auto"?
3. Do you happen to have the dark leather seats?

I DO have the A/C button lit up, use Auto, and have light leather seats. I find the A/C to be the best I've ever had! I'm amazed at how quickly it actually starts cooling. During the sweltering days of summer I still don't usually set mine for less than 75 degrees. Usually have it set on 78-80 depending how hot it is outside.

I'm perplexed at those of you having difficulty, and hope you figure out what the issue is.

 

Also, the inverter, which converts electrical current as needed, makes noise. Part of the Prius experience.

 

My home A/C makes noise as does any A/C compressor. This one is just very different from anything I have ever heard and was just asking if anyone else thought it to be abnormally loud or weird? Didn't mean to offend anyone. I do love my Prius but am willing to admit it has a shortcoming or two. Gee...

 

AC is important to me since I have Asthma. Can you keep temp and humidity down when it is 90+ for both?

 

+1. I live in the very, very hot humid south and the Gen III A/C is awsome!

 

It was 96 degrees three days last week, with high humidity. I set it on auto, 70 degrees and it really was slow to cool down...but..that was in ECO mode...when I turned off ECO mode, there was a significant improvement. No complaints, A/C works extremely well!

 

+1+1 Temperatures 100+ sometimes here now and after driving 5 - 10 minutes I have to put the ac on fresh air setting as it's too cold for me on recirculate. I have it set at 78, and have white exterior, bisque interior. I don't want any more cool air!

 

Sorry i come across harsh. just hard for me to understand a ac compressor making noise a short comming. Maybe yours is not normal, if we could hear a recording of it we can compare it to ours.