Air intake behind rear Passenger, question..

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MrChristian, Jun 9, 2009.

  1. MrChristian

    MrChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2009
    31
    6
    0
    Location:
    Washington
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I've got an 85lb dog that likes to go on trips with me. For safety reasons, he is buckled in the back behind the front passenger seat. I read that there is an intake in the back, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about keeping it unblocked and free of his hair? My fear is that it's acting like a vacuum keeping the dog free of loose hair, but at the same time clogging the intake.
    Many Thanks!
    Christian
     
    #1 MrChristian, Jun 9, 2009
  2. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2007
    1,181
    125
    0
    Location:
    Middletown, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Christian,
    I haven't Got Any Original Ideas, Perhaps You Post Will Get Some.

    I Have 2 Dogs and I vacume The Back Out Each Week. I also do the Intake.
     
    #2 NYPrius1, Jun 9, 2009
  3. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2007
    4,374
    313
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    there is a membet that put in a filter that keeps those hairs from getting any futher inside.

    only clean it some time

    use search function to find the topic.
     
    #3 Flying White Dutchman, Jun 9, 2009
  4. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2007
    1,181
    125
    0
    Location:
    Middletown, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    #4 NYPrius1, Jun 9, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  5. MrChristian

    MrChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2009
    31
    6
    0
    Location:
    Washington
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    It would appear that the 2010's intake is a little different from the one that is pictured in the DIY post. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do it on the 2010? I have a feeling I would have to pull apart some paneling that runs along the floor/door to get to the bolt first, but I am unsure about it. There is also a bolt that runs about the same level, that I located near the seat, but it doesn't appear to be connected to the intake cover. I already vacuumed the area a couple times, but with my paranoia, I'd rather have a filter of some kind. At this point I'm almost ready to tape one on the outside......
     
    #5 MrChristian, Jun 12, 2009
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,898
    1,900
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Be careful when adding a filter as they can restrict air flow, especially as they get dirty. I would add a sensor to alarm on a reduction of air flow. A simple thermal sensor on the battery (or at the air outlet) and a buzzer would suffice. Maybe I'm more paranoid than you.

    JeffD
     
    #6 jdenenberg, Jun 15, 2009
  7. MrChristian

    MrChristian New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2009
    31
    6
    0
    Location:
    Washington
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Or maybe you just have a higher engineering degree than I do.
    You forget, I'm still having trouble getting the dang cover off. :rolleyes:
     
    #7 MrChristian, Jun 15, 2009
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,076
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    With filters, the cure is often worse than the disease. This is why most computer designs dispensed with filters years ago. People didn't keep them clean, and then the machines overheated. Without filters, the dust and dirt will eventually cause a machine to overheat, but it takes longer than it does with a clogged filter.

    Tom
     
    #8 qbee42, Jun 15, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  9. Willem

    Willem Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2009
    51
    5
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I just now checked the vent in my 2010. It is nothing like the earlier models. I would never try to remove it.

    However, it does look like it would be very easy to solve the problem with the same type of filtering material noted in the other posting. The difference is that you can cover the vent from the outside. A small piece of filter would easily and neatly be tucked into the surrounding seat and molding materials.

    Vent filter material is widely available and cheap. Here's an example.

    Many thanks for bringing this matter to our attention. My dog Rusty thanks you, too.
     
    #9 Willem, Jun 23, 2009
  10. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    688
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Just let the dog ride up front and put your passengers in the back. ;)
     
    #10 tumbleweed, Jun 28, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)