Gen 4 HVAC usage and settings?

Most of my driving is on long trips. Cooling the entire cabin is pretty important to me so I don't stick to the seats. While I don't have measured data, it seems like in the eco mode it takes a lot longer to cool the cabin. But it eventually gets there. Flipping on the normal AC gives me a power hit up front but evens out later on.

 

Agreed. Also, I drive alone almost all the time, and I set it to driver priority mostly, but changing it to all outlets will give a boost. And we have only just got to Spring so far - was 27 C deg yesterday, so I needed to cool down quickly after working outside.

 

I always turn off the ac compressor and turn up the fan speed a couple of minutes before reaching my destination. This drys off the evaporator coils and reduces the possibility of mold growth.

JeffD

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ctually

Actually I set the eco on at the beginning of the summer and for enough cooling even on the 100 degree days. I thought that only turned off the passenger side vents. anyway my car was set at 65 and still is. I occasionally turn the air button off so it cools with outside air. It does little to the gas mileage. But then again Michelle I with you, I don't care what it does as long as I'm comfortable.

 

I've been using the AC daily for 7 months. Tried both Normal mode & Eco mode. The output and coldness does seem to be somewhat reduced when the Eco button is turned on.

But I haven't noticed any loss of MPG when I leave the AC set to "Normal." Nor have I noticed any gain in MPG when the AC is in Eco.

 

AC on full force: Yes, that's why I just use the manual mode. I can set my own fan speed.
But when I did use Auto, every time I lowered the fan speed it would disconnect the Auto mode... So now I just use manual all the time.[/QUOTE]

I believe when you select Auto for climate you are allowing the computer full authority to control the a/c. That means as soon as you change any of its idealised settings based on your original input it will relinquish all the control authority immediately. She's an all or nothing kinda control freak!

 

I believe when you select Auto for climate you are allowing the computer full authority to control the a/c. That means as soon as you change any of its idealised settings based on your original input it will relinquish all the control authority immediately. She's an all or nothing kinda control freak![/QUOTE]

 

I find for us with efficiency in mind and control with out much effort then the following works well:
Turn HVAC off before power off hybrid.
When starting out, if we do not want the engine to start before 21 MPH or 2 bars on battery. We usually have 6 bars at start.
After awhile if we do not want the windows down, turn HVAC AUTO on, Then AC off, in ECO. That is how we leave it unless we need the compressor for cooling. This actually makes me have more control without having to do anything further. I am a HVAC technician for what its worth. Lol

 

Yeah, was going to say: HVAC has GOT to know his HVAC.

 

Something went wrong with my previous post. I was quoting Cost Cruiser with my comment below explaining what auto setting involves. Of course, far as hypermiling is concerned I bow to HVACs wisdom.

 

Not all are as detail driven as you so I threw it out there...lol
Very true, I have been doing it awhile and still find it worthwhile. I love how efficient the Prius is. Only using the power that is needed other than operator error. Lol
What escapes a lot of people Is the setpoint, 73 for example is a heating and cooling setpoint. So if the car is below setpoint, then the engine is started to make warm water when there no other reason at the time... charging or propulsion.

 

What is really strange for me is RCO's words above showed up as a post from me. Dangerous business,lol

 

For clarification you can be in Auto mode and have AC button off and everything will be Auto except the AC compressor will be disabled/off for cooling. The weather since owning the car, has not allowed me to determine if defrosting/ defogging in Auto, will let the compressor run with the AC button off.

 

I've actually had the heat on the last couple of mornings. Heater isn't that great.

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I see Boone is at 3300 elevation. Our Prius is garaged so we have not needed heat much yet. I am not sure if my heat is better than your generation car. I know it will warm up faster with exhaust gas reheat/recovery. My son has mountain bike raced in north inland NC at a college event.

 

We've just finished winter, and I don't generally like heaters in our MILD CLIMATE (or being particularly warm), but with my Mum in the car, she demands heat or puts on multi-layers of pullovers, cardigans etc then shivers to make me feel bad.

I found the heater worked better with RECIRC, turn temp in AUTO to a high temp (think I wound it to 28C) turn off ECO and have it so it went to the back outlets as well, and to feet and face - that warmed the car up uncomfortably hot (for me) quite quickly.

No, maybe the heater was as good as my VOLVOs and Euro FORDs - but they originate from much colder climes than ours.

 

Thanks, I'd worked out there was a SETPOINT, but was having trouble with working out what it was - that translates to 22.7C. I knew that if I had AUTO and 24 & A/C in the afternoon before, when I started up in the morning when it was a bit cooler - maybe 12 or 16, the ICE would start immediately and try to pump (unwelcome) heat into my nice cool cabin.

 

That is correct. If we need heat we wait until the engine starts for the other reasons about 3/4 mile from the house and then turn on the HVAC on auto with AC off. Have not had cold weather yet.