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Is there a Solar option with Prius Gen 4?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by alanclarkeau, Feb 24, 2016.

  1. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Has anyone heard if a Solar Roof Ventilation system is being offered on the Gen 4 Prius? There has been no mention that I can find anywhere.

    I'm in the process of deciding whether to commit to an end-of-Gen3 or wait till Gen 4.

    thanks.
     
  2. rtn

    rtn Junior Member

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    Don't think this is available any more.
     
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Correct, the answer is no.
     
  4. chenderson2

    chenderson2 Member

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    I certainly would of ordered it, if available.
     
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  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Thanks for that. Do you know if it has remote activation of Air Conditioning like top models of Gen 3?
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It does not. However, there's a hidden feature (at least in the North American version) where you can have the wireless remote fob open the windows and moonroof, if equipped. (closing requires the physical key in the door lock). It's off by default and you have to get the dealer to turn the feature on. That's the closest. There is no remote A/C feature in the Gen 4.
     
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  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Thanks. My FORD Focus Diesel (2008) had that too - holding "UNLOCK" on the key fob for 4 seconds would open all windows (similarly, "LOCK" would put them up). VW did the same thing on some models.

    Wouldn't be as good as the Solar Ventilation or Remote A/C, but better than not having it.

    It seems odd that it's OFF by default.
     
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It does seem odd.
     
  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    It's off because a "pocket press" could make the car a target for thieves. At least that is my guess. Security!

    Oh, and I'd like to know how those bank robbers in the commercial got the car running without the FOB! Oh yeah, it's TV, so totally imaginary. ;)
     
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  10. Caniac

    Caniac Active Member

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    I'm sure the naive Prius owner left his fob in the car because I mean, who would want to steal a Prius?
     
  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    You could be right - though with the Focus, I needed to deliberately hold the button down for about 4 seconds - very difficult to do by accident.

    Where I live, hot, semi-tropical Australia, I used it ALL the time when I had that car - I guess if the designer was in a cold climate, they may see the issue differently. Air Conditioning is used most of the year, the heater rarely. Here, we hear about "heated seats" - and wonder - why. And snow - that's something I see on Christmas card photos or the news (never actually seen it).
     
  12. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    But there are third party solutions. For example:

    Search for Kulcar at Amazon as the link system is not currently working for me.

    For a reasonable price ($89) if somewhat limited in cooling capacity.

    JeffD
     
  13. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Dam, I had to buy a module to do that in my Gen3


    iPhone ?