I'm a brand new Prius owner (06, Black #8). I've had the car for two weeks and absolutely love it. I seem to have figured out most of the controls, but one feature I'm having trouble with is finding how to get to the "vent" mode. I looked at the owners manual and I didn't see anything on this subject. I don't want to run the auto A/C to save gas, but I want to get some air flow in the car. Can anyone tell me how to get to the "vent" mode?
Sorry, I cannot help you, but I'm sure someone here can. Since I have seen various forms of this question a lot on here, I mentioned it to my salesman the other day. He said he will show us how to do it when we pick up the car (any day now!!!!).
Welcome to P/C !! Push the a/c button on the wheel, go to the climate screen and turn off the highlighted a/c button by pushing once. This way (and others) will regulate fan speed by the internal temperature (and heater function). Or you can set the fan manually on the climate screen. The outside/ inside air can be changed quickly on the wheel. This is just my way, everyone has their preferences. Also, there is a search function here that will give you enough info to stay up all night.
I agree with Craig and Evan. First, welcome to Priuschat and congratulations on your new Prius. Pull up a seat and make yourself comfortable. There's a lot to learn. Secondly, what Evan said. Unfortunately, there is no [Vent] button. Rather, you have to turn A/C off and then you are in vent mode. The only part I disagree with is the "Max Cold". It's currently 34ºF in Chicagoland and if I want max cold I'll roll down the windows. :lol:
It may help to note that with the climate system set to some temperature and face/feet [middle button on the screen] but the fan turned OFF, some amount of outside air does drift in and emerge through the vents. And if you last had a temp set somewhere above "max cold", that air is warm. Often that's enough to provide comfortable cabin heat on cool but not wikkid-cold days, and the hybrid system doesn't run the engine quite as much. . _H*
Using the AC in the Prius is different than any other car. The Prius' AC runs on electricity not a belt driven motor. Using the AC on the Prius does not waste gas.
The eletricity comes from gas (directly: ICE charging batter, indirectly: regen), so running the AC does waste gas.
LESS gas is used, since the electricity is generated using efficient methods and the electrical A/C itself is more efficient than a traditional A/C.
i agree it would use less gas. other than the fact that the Prius AC runs on electricity, how efficient is it compare to normal car AC?
Correct, it indirectly uses the ICE, however the electric AC compressor is not putting a strain on the ICE like a normal belt driven AC compressor would, so it is not wasting gas when on. With the ICE on, it charges the battery pack, regardless of whether the AC is on or not. The AC pulls its electricty from the battery pack.
