As I have been given to understand the climate control in the '04 Prius uses an electric motor driven air conditioning compressor so the A/C will continue to function when the gas engine is switched off at a long light or train crosssing.
What I am wondering is what aout heat?
Most cars get the heat to run the defrosters and to heat the cabin from rejected waste heat "borrowed" from the cars coolant by running it through a water to air heat exchanger (heater core.)
Since the Prius will shut the gas engine off for significant periods of time, where does the climate control system get heat to keep your tootsies warm in the winter time while in stop and go slow speed traffic?
Could it be they use the electrically driven compressor as a reversable heat pump? That would certainly work but I haven't a clue what they actually did or if the heater works worth a darn under the conditions that allow the gas engine to shut down.
Ideas? Thoughts? Anyone driven in those conditions with heater on who could report the reality of their experience?
Winter is coming and hopefully so is my Prius so I care a bit.
Pat
What I am wondering is what aout heat?
Most cars get the heat to run the defrosters and to heat the cabin from rejected waste heat "borrowed" from the cars coolant by running it through a water to air heat exchanger (heater core.)
Since the Prius will shut the gas engine off for significant periods of time, where does the climate control system get heat to keep your tootsies warm in the winter time while in stop and go slow speed traffic?
Could it be they use the electrically driven compressor as a reversable heat pump? That would certainly work but I haven't a clue what they actually did or if the heater works worth a darn under the conditions that allow the gas engine to shut down.
Ideas? Thoughts? Anyone driven in those conditions with heater on who could report the reality of their experience?
Winter is coming and hopefully so is my Prius so I care a bit.
Pat