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Prius overheating in mountains?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by FCBarca, Sep 5, 2010.

  1. FCBarca

    FCBarca Junior Member

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    Jan 31, 2010
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    Location:
    La Côte
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
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    N/A
    We're up in the mountains and noticed a couple of things with our '05 Prius.

    1. Rear vent activating often despite not using the AC in 90 degree weather and some elevation climbing....Should we be concerned and is there anything we should be doing to help?

    2. Climbing for over an hour, roughly 2-3k ft has taxed the battery to where we're basically at 1 or 2 battery bars ...should we be concerned and what can we do to improve it?
     
    #1 FCBarca, Sep 5, 2010
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Jul 23, 2005
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    Other Hybrid
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    You would have been better off using the AC. The battery likes it cool. I don't think you have any problems, just keep the traction battery a little cooler.
     
    #2 firepa63, Sep 5, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    As above. Don't worry about the traction battery. The HSD will take care of it. Do keep the interior at a comfortable temperature, as that is what cools the traction battery. Keeping the windows closed and the A/C in "auto" will save fuel (the car is actually more aerodynamic enough to save more fuel than having cooling on wastes). It will also help save your hearing having the windows closed.

    In the mountains it's normal to see the battery level go down quite low and also to see it go full green on the downhill side. There isn't a lot of power stored in the traction battery so you will see big shifts in the level.
     
    #3 David Beale, Sep 6, 2010
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