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Why in the Hell didnt Toyota put Air Vents in the Back ????????????

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by LARRYG36, Jul 6, 2013.

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  1. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

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    I'm surprised (or maybe I'm not) at how everyone is just trying to dismiss and ridicule the OP's perfectly legitimate issue.

    Whether "you" think it's a problem, or whether "you" can manage just fine by some manner of front vent re-pointing, is completely inconsequential to the OP's issue. They've had their car for years in a hot climate and have been unable to find any combination of modes/vents to adequately cool the backseat as much as THEY would like.

    So offer up suggestions, but you don't have to be rude and dismissive about it, it brings the entire community down. Amiright?

    We have the same problem, though to lesser degrees as our son is generally ok in warmer weather. In the few times I've sat back there in the hot weather I've found the ventilation severely limited and wound up having to put the window down.

    Our last vehicle had big, rear HVAC vents in the back of the center console and you could direct plenty of hot or cool air right where you wanted and needed it.

    It's not a deal-breaker for us, but I wish our Prius had a similar setup, and I feel your pain OP.
     
    #41 Sporin, Jul 10, 2013
  2. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    2013 Civic LX can easily be had for $18,000 + TTL with rear seat ducts, rearview camera, USB, handsfree bluetooth.

    .... and its driver's seating is above reproach.
     
    #42 cycledrum, Jul 10, 2013
  3. PLSPUSH

    PLSPUSH Active Member

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    well said
     
    #43 PLSPUSH, Jul 10, 2013
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  4. LARRYG36

    LARRYG36 Member

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    Thanks SPORIN.
     
    #44 LARRYG36, Jul 10, 2013
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  5. Jzerocsk

    Jzerocsk Member

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    I think that's the same thing the Prius have - a rear duct that blows when the "feet" setting is enabled on the CCU (which is generally when you're using the heater).
     
    #45 Jzerocsk, Jul 10, 2013
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Some of you are confusing the "rear seat heater ducts" (that's the one on the floor under the front seats) with the "rear A/C vents" which are typically mounted higher (either on the rear of the centre console or on the B-pillars). Most, if not all, new cars will have a rear seat heater duct (though some recent cars like the '03-'07 Corolla can be ordered without it).

    The A/C vents that the OP is talking about works when the climate control is on "FACE" (or at least the most effective. RRxing's photo attachment shows that air still blows out the top vents). This helps direct cold air to the rear rather than having to pass through half the cabin and warm up by the time it reaches the rear seating area.

    It's useful on vehicles with bigger cabins (like the Camry).

    To the OP, I'm guessing Toyota either thought the cabin is small enough that it didn't warrant it, they thought the targeted market wouldn't want to pay for it, or it saves cost on manufacturing. The issue is that the Prius' cabin is a hatchback and it has that large rear window that doesn't help with cooling the interior (unless it's tinted).
     
    #46 Tideland Prius, Jul 10, 2013
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  7. willrob

    willrob Junior Member

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    Keeping the rear hatch cover (tonneau) closed (ie - covering the rear compartment) will both reflect the sun's heat coming through the hatch window, and make less space for the air to have to cool down.
     
    #47 willrob, Jul 20, 2013
  8. Hoosier1

    Hoosier1 Member

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    Remember the days when most cars and houses didn't have air conditioning? The back seat ride in our family car was really hot in the middle of the summer. In ten years, it will be interesting to hear the new expectations of automobiles if most of us are not on scooters or bicycles due to high fuel costs and bankruptcy of our cities, states and country.
     
    #48 Hoosier1, Jul 20, 2013
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  9. jgilliam1955

    jgilliam1955 Sometime your just gotta cry! 2013 Prius 4.

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    Would window tint solve this?

    SCH-I535 ? 2
     
    #49 jgilliam1955, Jul 24, 2013
  10. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Apparently not as the OP has dark tint judging from his avatar.
     
    #50 32kcolors, Jul 24, 2013
  11. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    Many PC members here insist the Prius Hatchback is a Mid-size car like the Camry.
    You are the first one differs.

     
    #51 bedrock8x, Jul 24, 2013
  12. tach18k

    tach18k Member

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    Skipping ahead of reading everything, but you do have the system in closed mode? You should not be adding 110 deg air into the car and only just recirculate the interior air, that will cool it down. Also jumping in and out of the car every 30 minutes doesnt help either.
     
    #52 tach18k, Jul 24, 2013
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The Prius is a midsize based on EPA volume. The Camry is on the larger side of midsize. (There's no doubt that the Camry is significantly wider for more elbow and hip room than the Prius)
     
    #53 Tideland Prius, Jul 26, 2013
  14. skilbovia

    skilbovia Member

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    Great ideas on how to cool the interior of a Prius. My wife and I both wear contacts so it is difficult to aim the default front vents so that neither of us get air in the eyes. Next time I think I'll try defroster/floor to see if that solves the problem. When we have the grandkids in the back, we have usually taken them someplace and worn them out so they're sound asleep anyway!
     
    #54 skilbovia, Jul 26, 2013
  15. Feri

    Feri Active Member

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    I've tried defroster/floor but the deroster air heats up too much travelling over the windscreen glass in really hot weather. Deflecting the centre vents up is best> Cold air sinks.
     
    #55 Feri, Jul 27, 2013
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  16. Cthehentz

    Cthehentz New Member

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    A good thick sunshade along with tinted windows help but the only way to cool the car down is start driving with the windows down to blow the heat out and share the vents with the back seat.
     
    #56 Cthehentz, Jul 28, 2013
  17. situationalawareness

    situationalawareness Member

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    There's been a lot of posts here, but I just wanted to add that while living in Phoenix, AZ & Las Vegas, NV my entire Prius was cooled by my AC nicely. I point my vents up since hot air rises, and usually close the side vents since it's simply peripheral. Did the job nicely, for 74 degree temps inside.
     
    #57 situationalawareness, Jul 29, 2013
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  18. knite75

    knite75 Junior Member

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    Has anyone figured out why the engineers neglected to put any vent in the rear?

    Took a road trip to Vegas from Los Angeles over the weekend. The passengers in the back complaining of heat while the the front passenger had to put on a sweater to keep warm.

    Wth Toyota?!
     
    #58 knite75, Aug 28, 2013
  19. antiglare

    antiglare Member

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    Primary reason is that the Prius is first and foremost an economy car. By the way, wouldn't having rear passengers increase the weight of the car and decrease MPGs? Then, you've defeated the purpose of driving a Prius :D

    Nexus 7 ? 4
     
    #59 antiglare, Aug 28, 2013
  20. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

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    Were you sitting in the back seat?
     
    #60 Sporin, Aug 28, 2013
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