newbie here. I just bought a used 2005 Prius with about 75K miles on it and am loving it so far. Quick question. Is there a way to use the "auto" feature on the thermostat without having the A/C on? Like if the temp is 40 degrees and I want to keep out at 68 in the car, how can I set it to "auto" at 68 without the A/C coming on?
A/C means either heating or cooling, not just cooling. With defrost off and the temperature too low (below your setting) the cooling system pump will not run when you select A/C auto. If you turn on front defrost the cooling system pump will run to dry out the air. So go ahead and select A/C auto, the cooling pump will not run in the situation you listed.
The AC compressor is variable speed, electrically driven, and will not come on unless conditions warrant.
Ahhhh...ok. So if I select "Auto", and then de-select the A/C switch, does that basically turn off the automatic thermostat feature?
No. You're still in AUTO but the computer will never use the A/C. But in AUTO with the A/C light on, the car will determine the humidity level (not just temperature) to decide whether to engage the A/C compressor. It's not just meant for cooling. A/C is used to dry the air to prevent the windows from fogging up. If you set the temperature high enough, you'll get the heater. I've had the A/C light on at -40, I assure you, it's not cooling
Maybe but I wish I could lock out anything higher than half fan speed in Auto mode. I never use auto on short trips as it'll run the AC with full fan speed and it's too annoying. Only way I would consider using Auto is on a road trip.
ECO mode on the 3rd Gen Prius does just that. Even at full blast, the fan speed is lower (maybe not at half speed but when you toggle between ECO and normal during that time, you can hear the fan decrease/increase in speed even though the fan speed indicator on the climate control doesn't change)
I wish they had a similar function on the Gen II. But I want the normal pedal mapping with the eco fan control. In fact I want the eco fan control even if I'm using the performance pedal mapping (depending on the hybrid and market it's sold in they change the name of that mode).
Then you'd want a 2011 Camry Hybrid before they sell out =). It has an ECO heat/cool button (that's hidden and not illuminated so you can't find it at night lol) and that controls the climate control, only. All new hybrids will control the climate and throttle mapping. Tell you what though, the 2012 Camry Hybrid still felt peppy even in ECO mode.
Camry doesn't have the hatchback or the fuel economy. I just want to somehow mod my Gen II Prius to use lower fan speeds in Auto AC mode.
Use higher temps, that's all I can think of. The 2010's A/C is pretty powerful and I can get away with setting it at 25°C (77°F) for short trips even though it's 30°C outside (86°F)
