It was so cold (9F), I couldn't get the hatch opened! The rubber covering the button had frozen stiff. Neat, eh? Go go gadget folding seats!
As handy as the folding seats are, I've never had to resort to that and have experienced much colder temperatures. Was there exposure to ice?
Something was wet and then froze. The seals do not freeze...ever. I'm a ski instructor and the doors have never frozen even in the worst of ice and snow storms. Windows yes. Doors never.
His other posts having him currently traveling to New Mexico and Colorado, and in Albuquerque this morning. I don't really consider positive F temperatures as being that cold. If something wouldn't open, it is because of the water that was still present in the seals and mechanisms when the car froze. If dry, it should still open at -45F. Been there, done that, though not in my Prius.
Water must've gotten in, or the rubber stiffened due to age. I've been able to open the hatch at temps much colder than that (granted, it wasn't sitting overnight outside but at those temps, it doesn't take long to get materials down to those temps). Ever hear the sound your ski jacket makes at -40? It sounds like a tarp. Extreme Cold Weather Performance | PriusChat
I probably need to get the seal replaced. The rubber has been acting up. It actually feels like doughy in warm weather.
Only time I have stopped opening the hatch in my old car was when ice on top of rear bumper and on hatch needed to be cleared and I don’t want to scratch it. Prius also look susceptible to this. But this really doesn’t happen if temp is cold enough.
Hmm. . .I didn't realize this was a known problem with the Prius. Learn something new everyday on PC!
Not confusing this with the melting taillight issue, are you? Me neither. I only know of the melting taillight fins!
