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

Waaaaiit a minute... are you saying that the A/C button on the fob can be used as a remote starter to heat the car up in the winter? I ask because I'm shopping for a Prius now and that'd be a really nice feature...

Edit: Sorry about that, just reread your post and figured out that you bought a third-party remote starter.

 

I'm not sure about 3rd party, but Toyota has a remote starter option. Nothing fancy, it's probably a control module that reacts to a sequence from the FOB that comes with your car. Two quick clicks of LOCK then press LOCK and hold until the car beeps and flashes its lights. It'll start up and remain locked for 12 minutes. Have your AC pre-set for temp and/or vent options and you can have it cool/heat year-round. The gas cost is negligible.

If I lived in Florida, or someplace hot most all-year, the solar option with remote AC might have done the job, but it gets COLD here with snow/ice. That pre-warm up was worth the cost. Note that the factory says it's a $500 option, but your dealer will charge what it costs them to get it. Be sure to wrangle on the price up-front. No Prius should come with remote start standard from the factory, so I don't know why the dealer pays a higher price to get it pre-sale to a customer.

 

Wow, thanks! I had no idea of this. I'll have to give it a try when I go test drive it again.

 

Good luck finding a Prius with one factory-installed. It's not part of any trim package.

 

Oh sorry, I thought it was a hidden function of the Prius remote. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

No. It just doesn't need a special remote to work. It uses the standard FOB once installed.

 

ive actually had my fan run when it was in the 20's and the cabin over 80 from an external heater

i find the remote ac unneeded since the remote range is so short

 

Here is an example of solar panel discoloration/corrosion on a 2009-2011 Prius. It looks like moisture
has come in from the front of panel. I don't know if its still working, will soon fail, or has already failed:

 

I live in Chicago too and love the solar roof and the sunroof. Love having the light inside the car and having the sunroof open on a summer night.

 

I live in Minnesota and agree with what Vivi stated. I had it in my 2010 and my 2013

 

You can extend the range of the fob and thus stay the a/c from further away by putting the fob partially on your mouth even using it from afar.

The skull acts as a resistor and sends the signal further.

Agreed, the remote A/C makes modest difference.

I figure - just do it. It helps a little bit, and takes a second to do.

But I think it cuts off when you open the door? (it's been a while...). Then you have to turn on the car anyway to get the a/c going. IIRC. Yeah, a little lame..