A/C for my dog while parked

I have been in the same situation, wishing I knew what I could do. If you can't figure it out, you might want to find a place with outdoor seating, or somewhere you can run in and get take out.

Also, a nice little product is a window grate if it's cool out and you want to leave the windows down anyway, but don't want people to reach in, etc.

 

You have to take the key with you, or the car won't lock the doors. It'll beep at you, that the car is still on.

Honestly, it'll probably be better for your dog and your mileage to just tie the dog up in a shaded area outside the restaurant, and leave a cup of ice water for it.

 

I haven't looked through the Owner's Manual yet for the answer (I'm guessing you haven't either), but I think I know how you can do this.

Before starting the car, turn off the SKS system. There is a button on the underside of the steering column for this (I think it is the KEY button and I think that's where it resides). By switching this, you'll need to insert the key fob in the dash to start the car. Before inserting the key fob, take out the key from the fob.

Insert the keyless key fob into the dash and start the car. When you want to leave with your dog inside, set the A/C to Auto with the desired Temp setting (how about 78 or 80?) and leave the car in "Ready" mode.

Exit the car and lock it from the outside using the key.

When you return, unlock with the key and drive away. The ICE will have run enough to keep the HV battery charged at a high enough level to allow the A/C to run as necessary.

In order to go back to normal operation, just reverse the KEY button operation.

Hope this helps. I suggest giving it a test run before your trip!!

 

I have actually done something similar to this. I live in AZ where it is currently HOT. I had some clients in town and needed to take them to the airport on a 114 degree day. I wanted to start my car and "pre-cool" the interior without leaving the vehicle unprotected. I was able to do so and here is what worked for me:

Start car as normal (no need to disable the SKS)

Crack a window a little for your pooch

Lock the interior doors while still sitting down and manually unlock the driver door.

Close your drivers door (keep your fob with you, the car will beep a couple times, but will stop.)

Use the physical key to lock the drivers door

Worked ok for me with no ill effects. Hope this helps!

 

That will probably work but here's another, simpler option for the OP: Just exit the car with the driver's window open, reach inside it to lock the doors using the armrest button, and hit the button to raise the driver's window. Take the key fob with you because you'll need the mechanical key to unlock it.

If you don't mind burning the fuel, the AC will work as you suggest, running the HV battery down to a certain point until the ICE kicks in periodically to recharge it.

A word of caution: When the car is sitting without the ICE running, some well-meaning passerby may think your dog will suffer heat stroke inside a closed-up car with no air. You might find local police or animal protection officials descending upon it. I would keep a steady eye on the car to head that off.

 

I do this frequently, also live in AZ. Well, I don't have a dog in the car, but I'll leave it running from time to time...

Anyway, I open up the drivers window and get out of the car (with my key in my pocket). I close the drivers door. The car will now allow you to reach in and hit the lock button to lock all doors (if the door is open it won't allow you to lock the doors). After I verify it's locked, I hit the auto-up window on the drivers side and walk away.

When I get back I take the metal key off the keyfob and open the door manually. THE KEY FOB ITSELF WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING. YOU HAVE TO USE THE METAL KEY. Just wanted to throw out that disclaimer.

Mike

 

Looks like you hit the submit button before me...but we're on the same track. There have been those that suggest leaving a note on the car saying it's a hybrid and the A/C is running. For me, at least in Arizona the engine fans are running full blast and the Prius is very loud when sitting. In fact other than my diesel truck, my Prius is the loudest of my 4 cars when sitting idling during the summer. In the winter it's almost silent...but in the summer it's pretty loud.

Mike

 

I don't quite understand this. It sounds as though you left the car on but unlocked. If it beeped three times after you left, I think it sensed that you walked away with the car in "Ready" mode, but without having locked the car. Are you certain all doors really were locked?

If the doors were locked, are you certain the car was in "Ready" and not IGN or ACC? If it is not in ready, then the ICE will NOT turn on, but the A/C would run until the HV battery died. Very, Very Bad News. Not a problem for 5 or 10 minutes, but a disaster after that.

I've not tried this, but perhaps you've got another way of doing it that I'm just not aware of (you never know what you'll learn on this site!!). Please let me know. What you describe sounds much easier than my suggestion.

Another question: Why crack a window open? If the A/C is on, then the windows should be shut.

 

I vote this the best method. I will try this!

 

It has my vote, too.

Amazing what you learn on PriusChat -- without even trying!

Many thanks to JimboK and Mingoglia.

 

Haha, I can only imagine. My dog is in the car with me about 95% of the time I drive, so I have taught him the "WINDOW" command, and he pulls his head back in the car.

Pictures are now mandatory to this thread!

Here's my guy, Chihuahua named Kid Rock. He gets his own special lookout seat because he likes to have his head out the window (he's strapped in). First picture isn't really accurate, he rides in the backseat now because the boyfriend wanted to ride in the frontseat (imagine that!).

 

Like someone said, put the pooch on a leach outside the car with water

 

Oh yeah, in a neighborhood you don't know or at a potentially unsafe or busy rest area? Not my dog!

And the people who say this have never had a cute little dog. People walk by a lab and pat him on the head, he's the old faithful, wag-his-tail kind of dog. People walk by a 5 lb Chihuahua and think about how much money that kind of dog is worth, or how easy he'd be to grab and walk away with, or how it'll be fine if the kids run up and pet him (little dogs don't particularly like strangers pestering them). People offer me money for my dog, ask if he's a boy or a girl (to ask if they can breed him with their pup), people scream at him, go to pet him without asking, kids run at him, etc. He would be gone in a second, too fast even if I had my eye on him inside a restaurant.

 

Better also post a sign so some well-meaning samaritan doesn't break a window. I'd also check the law to make sure it isn't illegal to leave your dog in the car, A/C or not.

 

if unsafe or busy rest area for you or the dog don't stop there

 

Thank you and YAY for the picture! I have always loved poodles, I had a boss who had (a Yukon XL and) 3 Std Poodles. Smart, cute, and hypoallergenic. What more could you ask for?! Hope you figured out a good solution to the car issue!

 

Never leave a dog alone in a locked car no matter if you left AC on or not. Would you leave your child locked up in the car alone? Did ya ever think the dog could hit some control?