I haven’t figured out how to use the fan on my (used) 2005 Prius without turning the a/c on. I get some airflow with the fan off, but if I want to feel it I have to turn the a/c on. I don’t like this, since it’s nearly always cool enough up here for just outside air. Also, the a/c goes from 65º to Max Cool, Not really needed if it’s 50º outside.
In any case, the heater is part of the climate control system (a/c), so I assume the pump is working when I want heat as well as air. I haven’t looked too closely at it, but I suspect I lose one or two MPG when the a/c is on. The Owner’s Manual says to use a/c above 55 mph instead of rolling down a window, since mileage is better.
Johnny L.A. Do you have a way to turn on or off the ability to recirculate air?
My 06 Pathfinder has a bit of a mind of its own when it comes to that. But that’s the climate control. The climate control is OK. My Wife and I do like it for longer drives. Often East to West or back. One of us then sits in the sun. One of us can put the cooler air blowing on them, while the person in the shade doesn’t need it. I thought it was a big joke at first, but it does work. Guess I’m getting soft.
In the Pathfinder, we also have vents in back to help cool our dogs down which is nice. It’s not unusual to have temp swings of 60 degrees in a day when you drive down to Denver.
Or even today. It was 28f this morning. Then about 65 when I got home (no need for AC there).
I know there’s a choice between Fresh and Recirculate. I assume that if you’re on recirc there’s no fan unless the a/c is on. I never use recirculate; always fresh.
Is there any way to program a hybrid to run in “burst” mode? This is how those college students achieve 200+ MPG is test runs-you wind up the gasoline engine and get to a speed of 65 MPH-then you switch off the gas engine, and coast down to 20 MPH-then swithc on the gas engine, and repeat. My idea_have the electric motor cut in as the gasoline engine shuts off-and run till the battery is exhausted-then fire up the gas engine again.
This would run both systems at their peak efficiency-would this work?
I half-way jokingly told someone recently I should buy one of those Hummers, now that nobody wants to buy one. Why? I drive 2 miles to work and almost never really drive much more than a total of 30 miles a week (including grocery store runs and going to the movies, etc.)
Still, the idea of having a car that I could charge up while I am sleeping and never have to buy gas again - lower the price of that car and I’m in. Plus, I think the car looks kind of cool!