I've seen the message about using AC during charging a few times now, but I am puzzled about what triggers it. Just now, I hopped into a VERY hot car to turn on "charge now." It was baking in there, and at least 80F outside. But no AC message. Seems like the Prime is charging the battery with no access to cooler air inside the cabin, and that doesn't seem like a great thing. Is that AC message solely a function of the exterior temp? And what if you haven't seen the message and the car gets hot? Does it still come on?
If you’re referring to the “Traction Battery Cooler” message discussed on pages 127-128 of the Owner’s Manual (PDF), it’s triggered by the temperature of the traction battery itself. I couldn’t find an actual temperature limit stated in either the Owner’s Manual or the New Car Features book (available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com). As noted on page 128, “the hybrid battery (traction battery) cooling operation stops” when, among several other conditions, “‘Charge Now’ is implemented.”
Thank you for that info! I've read and re-read this manual, and I've found the English to be more than a bit challenged at times. Perfectly understandable that it would be so, but it makes it easy to not quite retain the info. What I can't figure is why on earth the cooling operation would be rendered inoperative for an immediate charge -- if the battery is hot and going to be charged immediately, wouldn't the cooling operation be yet more vital?
That message comes on when you power off your car and the battery temperature is about 92F or 94F and above. If you didn't choose "yes" to the message, the car will not charge immediately until the battery is cool down.
