What to look for when buying a used Prius w/Solar Roof?

The solar roof only runs an interior fan* (when activated) so even if the panel is broken, it won't affect the cars' performance at all. You can, of course, test the sunroof operation for any defects on your test drive. AFAIK, I've never seen a report of a defective solar roof reported here. IIRC, there was one thread about issues (lines) within one owners panel that I think were covered by warranty but the roof was still working normally.




* a common misconception is the solar roof charges the high voltage (hybrid) battery, it doesn't.

 

I have a 2010 and the sunroof gets exercised year round since I live in Florida. No issues with operation at all.

 

I haven't tested mine yet but my plan is to to turn it on (with power on, press the solar fan button, on the dash, lower left of the steering wheel, on and then off ). Set the temp to something quite lower than outside temp. Roll up all windows except the driver's with about an inch open so you can hear the fans running (when it works). Turn off the power, close all door and let the car sit in the hot sun and see if you can hear the fans working. The fans suppose to work until the inside temp lowered to the setting or when the solar power is out, whichever comes first. I hope that's the right way to work it.

 

Temp setting not necessary. With car in "ready", press in the button and make sure it is "in" (it's sometimes hard to tell).
Turn off the car. Not sure if you have to get out but you might as well.
Wait about 10-20 min (forget what the time delay actually is).
When the car is in the sun, you will hear the fan run if you listen at the wiper area, and if inside you can feel the air coming out of the upper outside vents. It works even if you open the door, but will shut off if you press the "on" button to start the car.

I leave the button "in" all the time. Unless I have to park in a dusty area.

 

Yes, approx. 10 minutes. In pure sun and a reasonably quiet environment, you should be able to hear the fan while standing between the right front tire and the windshield.

 

You only push the button in once because you want to leave it on all the time, correct? I remember the manual said to push the button twice (so the button will be in the "off" mode) I guess for only when you want to use it. I also remember the manual said it works better if you set the temp, too. If not, how does it know when to stop? just until the solar power is used up?

May be I remember it wrong: It's better to use the remote A/C with this feature turned on.

thx

 

While on this subject, my question is why the heater is so lazy. I can understand the slow A/C (in Auto mode) since it tries to save gas. But heat doesn't require extra energy. My set temp is 72 and it does nothing when outside temp is in the low 60s. I only feel the warm air when outside temp is in the lower 50's and this is when the gas engine fully warmed up.

 

It must be the program they put in there, which is completely different from other normal cars. I understand the gas engine takes longer to warm up because of the intermittent uses, or they try to keep the heat in engine bay to speed up the process. But I am talking about my whole commute for more than 1/2 hr. I didn't want to increase the set temp because I wanted to wait to see how long it would take to feel warm air which never happened. I just wonder; if this is normal (but why?) then it's not a big deal.
thx

 

From the Land of Winter; I drive the same route to work everyday, My new Prius, the wife's Corolla and my old Mitsu start putting out heat within about a 100' range of each other. All the cars have automatic climate control, and they all build enough engine heat to kick in the blower at about 3/4 mile from where they're parked at home - and were talking single digit (F) temps.

 

If you live in Midwest, just pass on the solar roof. Not worth it IMO. Go straight to Prius V. I bought the Four with solar and it was clearly a bad decision. The weather in Chicago sucks so the advantage of the solar is nearly zero.

 

I live in South Florida and the solar roof is a God send. Keeps the interior about the same temp as it is outside. I also got the Blizzard Pearl since I didn't want to cook eggs on the hood.

 

I was checking the car under the hood on Saturday when it was hot here. I heard the fan noise and went inside the cabin and checked. First thing caught my attention was how cool it was inside considered the car has been sitting in the 90 degree sun. Then I saw the "solar fan" button was in the "on" position. I started to appreciate it more, much more useful than the remote A/C, I think (haven't tried).

 

I passed on the solar option and got the Prius Two. I spent $800 for the remote start option. That gave me 12 minutes of AC or HEAT year round where the remote AC option only works if you have enough battery power.

 

I handed the car over to my son but I don't see myself turn on the A/C and wait for it to be cool before getting in. Someone also mentioned you have to be close to the car to activate it. I have to try it sometime.