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Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in bck

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gbcaine, Aug 16, 2005.

  1. gbcaine

    gbcaine New Member

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    I went and test drove the Prius today and really liked it, the only problem I found was that it had no rear AC vents and it felt really hot in the back seat. I was originally going to buy the Lexus hybrid till I found out that the MPG was only slightly better than the non Hybrid version....hence I looked at the Prius, convinced that I would buy it. The deal breaker is the no rear AC b/c I have a 3 yr old who is always in the back seat, and does not like the wind blowing her hair all around. A hot cranky 3 year old is not pretty. We were only able to drive for about 5 minutes because the car was sold and it wasn't that hot of a day....anyone have this problem, and or a solution?
     
    #1 gbcaine, Aug 16, 2005
  2. Bill Lumbergh

    Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer

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    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    Two things I would try: first tint the windows. Dropped temps in my car pretty dramatically (except when driving toward the sun for long periods).

    You might also try setting the A/C to both the floor and dash vents to ensure air is passed under the seats (via the underseat ducting). I set the A/C to Auto and 75 and everyone's happy.
     
    #2 Bill Lumbergh, Aug 16, 2005
  3. eak354

    eak354 Member

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    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    :iagree yup tinting and having a sun shade does help a lot. though if the car was left out for some time in the sun, it would take longer to cool down. but otherwise, i'm cool. 8)
     
    #3 eak354, Aug 16, 2005
  4. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Our Prius is always cool in the back as well as the front. On super hot days you have to give time for the whole car to cool.
     
    #4 paprius4030, Aug 16, 2005
  5. randalla

    randalla Member

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    So far, no complaints from our 3 year old girl about any lack of a/c reaching her. I also have one of those small roll-up window blinds on her door window to help shade her from the sun.

    I generally just set the thermostat to 75 or so and crank the fan up depending on how hot the interior is.
     
    #5 randalla, Aug 16, 2005
  6. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    My kids only complain on the hottest days - we simply have to make sure that the front vents are appropraitely aimed. Sometimes to appease them, I'll toss the A/C on floor so they can feel the A/C on their toes and not feel totally ignored. They're somewhat spoiled I guess by my In-law's Town and Country w/ Rear A/C.
     
    #6 HTMLSpinnr, Aug 16, 2005
  7. Ghoti

    Ghoti Member

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    I regularly drive some friends around, and only once did one of the rear seat passengers mention not feeling much benefit from the A/C. When he did, I adjusted the driver's side center vent to blow over my right shoulder, and he immediately felt cooler. No need to spend money on shades or tinting, at least, not yet. :)
     
    #7 Ghoti, Aug 16, 2005
  8. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    We tinted our Pri, it made a big difference. It takes about 5 minutes for the car to freeze me out on a hot day (lately it's 110s with heat index) and I imagine if I'm freezing in the driver's seat it's fine in back.
     
    #8 galaxee, Aug 16, 2005
  9. KTPhil

    KTPhil Active Member

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    I find the Auto setting does not run the fan high enough sometimes. Try manually increasing the fan speed to circulate more air back there.
     
    #9 KTPhil, Aug 16, 2005
  10. jeromep

    jeromep Member

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    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    I don't like having cold air blowing on me, so I point my vents away from myself. I think that leads to others in the cabin having more cold air for themselves. I have yet to have a rear seat passenger complain.

    I rely on auto settings entirely. If the cabin feels too warm and the fan has slowed down, I drop the temp, and the fan goes up. Easy as pie.
     
    #10 jeromep, Aug 16, 2005
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The position of the vents play a crucial role. I was sweating at the back seat and asked if the A/C was on. It was and told my mum in the front seat to re-position the vents. What a difference! I actually felt cold and had them turn down the A/C.

    So yes, rear vents would be nice to get the air to the back much quicker but since we don't have any, just play around with the vents that we've got.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2005
  12. removeum

    removeum Member

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    Re: Rear AC vents in the Prius...anyone feel its HOT when in

    8) gbcaine,

    Just point both center vents up towards the ceiling and the two outboard vents towards the windows. I believe everyone will then be happy in MHO.


    Ben
     
    #12 removeum, Aug 16, 2005
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