Solar sunroof on all the time?

I leave mine on all the time. I don't like using AC so starting off with a cooler interior is nice. Now that temps are hitting 100F+ I need to start using the sunshade again. It was 107F yesterday.

 

I usually turn mine off in late fall when the outside temps fall enough to not need the fan to run to keep the interior cool. I turn it on in the spring once it gets warm enough to want some cooling.

 

I have mine on all the time right now. But I imagine there will come a day this fall when I'm not going to want to have cold outside air blown into the cabin. Although chances are good that, here in Portland at least, there won't be enough sun to run the blower then anyway.

 

Mines on all the time right now. Hmm, in winter we get nice sunny days when it's -40C. THAT would be an interesting feeling to have that air blown in.

 

Mine is on all the time. My car sits in my garage more than it gets driven so the solar roof is more for a cool looking car than practical means for me

Mike


iPhone

 

Same with me, I live in halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco (85 degrees average summer temps.) and I started leaving it on all the time since I bought my Prius in late Feb. It really make much difference until we started getting 80+ degree days, then it helps ALOT!

Bill

 

No problem to leave the switch "on" all the time but understand that the solar roof only functions when the "power" switch is in the "off" position. Simply put: if you're driving the car, the solar roof will not function.

 

Just got my 2012 III with solar roof and have only read the manual quickly. Don't need the solar panel in NH at the moment. How do you tell if the switch is in the "on" position? I thought that after you started the car the switch automatically turned off?

 

The switch is "on" when it's depressed and it's "off" when it's popped out. It's a push on-push off type switch and there isn't much difference in switch projection height between "on" and "off" positions. The switch isn't illuminated and it doesn't have a lamp indicator to advise when the switch is engaged. Honestly; pretty poor functionality.

 

The system won't operate if it's not hot in the car. I just leave mine on all the time. I suspect the only reason for the switch is so you can turn it off in dusty conditions.

 

I can never tell it's on in our 2013, can't tell the difference with the on or off position. I was told that if I want the solar panel to work when the car is off push the switch once before I shut the car off... Now I am confused.

 

There is a slight difference in the 'on' and 'off' positions - when the switch is 'off' it sticks out from the dash slightly, when it's in the 'on' position it's slightly in from the dash. I took a small piece of colored tape and stuck it to the bottom of the switch housing so when the switch is on (in) I can see the tape and know the switch is on. When the switch is off (out) I can't see the tape.

For the solar roof to be active when you leave you do have to have the switch in the 'on' position before you turn the car off. And making that more confusing is that the fan powered by the solar panel doesn't come on until about 5 minutes after the car has been shut off, so you can't check that it's on immediately.

 

I did experience the solar panel working once. I was sitting in the car under the hot sun waiting for my daughter to finish her dancing class, I pushed the power (Start) button once without stepping on the brake pedal to hear some tunes from the radio. The fan also turned on (regular ambient air of course), but the control panel on the HVAC was completely off. I tried to push the buttons to change the fan speed or to turn it off but it wouldn't respond. I figured that's was probably the solar panel working.

 

Inside car temp must be over 65F (approx.) for the fan to start working. The solar panel must be in sufficient sunlight as well. When it is working you can definitely tell. It will hum along all summer long.

You can even hear the fan from outside the car if you stand near the hood.

 

You can also feel the breeze coming from the vents when it's working. I first noticed when I was washing the car in the back yard, and doing the windshield inside surface. It blew in my face.

Nice idea with the coloured tape. Have to try that. I -can- tell if the switch is on or off, but by feel, not easy visually.

 

After looking closely I did notice that there is a slight position difference between on/off. Thanks. So I assume in is "On".

 

Yes, 'in' is the on position.

 

I run mine all the time when it's warm outside. Remember to change your cabin air filter more often when you have the solar sun roof option as it uses it to filter the air. Buy the filter online at say Amazon and watch a YouTube video on changing it (it's located behind your glove box). You'll save $$ and feel the satisfaction of doing it yourself!