Demisting/defogging

You're right this type is only good to about 40F. Back to the drawing board!
However there are also dessicant based regenerable units.

 

I mentioned this in another thread ...
You can press the FRONT defog button and adjust the Temp Control to LO, verify OA is selected, not Recirc and adjust the Fan Speed. If done within the first 10 seconds, then ICE won't start. This will provide 100% Windshield air flow.

 

i'll give it a try ken, but, i must admit, i'm skeptical. has anyone else been able to confirm this?

 

I give up, the defrost system on the PIP works perfectly well, and it has no peculiarities whatsoever. Since everybody is totally satisfied Ther is no reason for Toyota to improve thier HVAC system. End of subject.

 

No, but I will try again. Bisco, what side of the fence are you on?

 

well, i've pushed the front defog button before and the ice fired right up. not sure it was in the first 10 seconds tho. i also tried 34Hupp's suggested proceedure, but the ice started as soon as i turned the fan on.

 

This may be an alternate solution.

Desiccant: 5X better than Silica Gel Sachets!

 

If the ICE does start, you adjust the temperature to Low, then turn the car off and on again.

 

I did not mean that literally, only to convey that outside air normally flows, when selected, for the express purpose of keeping the windshield clear ( on most cars! ) not the Prius. Nice expression tho!

 

Like I said, which side of the fence are you on?

 

I have done this many times now, problem is, you have to find a safe place to park, stop.

 

There's nothing wrong with asking for an *additional* blower option.

Just don't ask for the removal of something that already works well. The temperature here right now is -2F, where the defrost button with heat is quite useful. Also, don't forget that that same default button is very handy with cold during the summer for removing humidity & clearing the windshield.

 

i guess i'm not sure what you mean, but here's my take: since i believe the ice comes on if you use the front defrost button (even tho there may be a way to finagle around it) we are forced to use windshield/floor and outside air to clear the fog and not have the ice come on. so, given no other alternatives, it would be nice if there were separate windshield and floor options.

 

Yes I agree, it would be nice, especially given the fact that this was done over 50 years ago. I will concede that there is some air at the windshield, but it is so tepid that one gets a small hole directly in front and this hole very slowly gets larger. I have tried multiple methods, attempting to circumvent the main defrost and engine turn-on, none work. I also admit that there is a very good main defrost system, one must put up with engine turn-on. For the Northern climes it's a absolute necessity. Of course it's all dependent on conditions, that is really the crux of the problem and the cause of the controversy.

 

i agree on the slow rate of defogging, but turning up the fan helps although chilling the feets even more. it may be worse where you are. around here, it's so dry, the only fog comes from the hot air of the occupants.

 

I have experienced that a few times too, about a half mile from the Gym, (0700) my breath and body heat start to over power the inadequate and tepid circ at glass.

 

At the OAT we have in SACTO, I really didn't expect problems. 43F in garage, 37F at Gym. the banana belt.

 

funny, our temps aren't that much different currently. 45 in garage this morning and 32 outside. 8-10" of snow last night.

 

Andy, maybe there's something blocking your vents? You're in Sacramento, which is like notoriously dry. I have no issues with defogging the entire widshield using the foot+windshield setting and the fan on one or two bars. Generally I only need to do this when there are other people in the car or it's raining outside. Never takes more than a minute. Are you sure you're always driving with outside air setting?
Btw, I drove from SF to LA yesterday with two cats, and we didn't really even need the fan on, air blowing through the vents with the fan off was sufficient (at 81 mph).

 

Apologies to All, especially Andy & Bisco. I was Mistaken.

When I noticed that FRONT Defoger didn't start the ICE, I had just returned from a trip that used the ICE and it was already up to temp.

Today with a Cold PIP, I started it, reduced Temp Control to LO, verified Outside Air and adjusted the Fan speed. The ICE didn't start. I waited more than 10 seconds too. Then I pressed the FRONT Defog button and the ICE Started. DAMN. WHY??? The Temp Control was still set to LO !!!

I checked the Air Flow Volume. FRONT Defog had a lot more windshield Volume, than the Fan Vent direction of windshield/feet, though I felt quite a bit of flow with this setting.

Also both the Driver and Passenger have 2 white plastic air outlets for Feet.

After the ICE was up to temp and turned off, the FRONT Defog did run on LO temp blowing cold air without the ICE running.

Sorry for the Above error.