Perhaps this is old news to some of you, or anyone who has read thru/memorized the manual So y’all know how in the 2017-2021 Prime, we have the option of changing the climate control to focus on the driver, AKA “Driver Priority” - by pressing the one button, like this: I believed the only two options were “Driver Priority” and “All Seats” - like this: However, just last night driving the Prime with my g/f in the front passenger seat, and me trying to get as many of those little “green bars” for a better score, I hit the same button and this time it said “Fr Seats Only”: I had no idea the vehicle had this option. It’s so cool & makes a lot more sense to have three settings instead of having the A/C and/or heat being only driver focused or the entire rest of the car. This is one of the more complex climate control setups of any car I’ve had, but very well done. Again I will assume many of you know about this, but to me it was like :mind blown: - ok not exactly, but I talked about it the entire way home and even asked her to get out of the front passenger seat for a moment to see if the screen went back to “Driver Priority” and it did
Since your mind is blown, might as well throw some more fuel into that fire. The Gen 4 Prius and the Prime is the first Toyota with automatic S-Flow. Previously, S-Flow (which are the 3 settings you're describing above), is manually selected by pressing the S-Flow button. In the Gen 4 and the Prime, S-Flow is automatically selected (which I think you found out when your gf left her seat). But anyway, just thought I'd let you know that it's not automatic in other Toyota or Lexus models. (well at least going back from now)
Haha awesomeness! Do you know of any other features casual Prime owners are unaware of? I already know about the charging while driving thing - but surely there’s more. I’ve had the car 9 months and it seems every few weeks I discover something else.
So, what I'll add to this discussion is: in summer when you want max airflow for A/C cooling, you'll want to switch the S-Flow to front and back operation (all four seats) even if it's just you in the car. You will notice the airflow increases from whatever fan setting you already have. You can prove this to yourself by sitting still in the car in Park and adjust the S-Flow button while leaving the fan speed alone.
I’m aware of these features in general, but not used to seeing them as presented on the MFD (multi-function display). That, since I manage most climate-control functions on the 11.6” display. Actually, I’d have to look again, but I can’t recall for sure whether the driver-only option is accessible from the 11.6”-display controls. My wife usually keeps her vents closed anyway, but I probably ought to turn that on (that is if I don’t already have it on; again can’t immediately recall).
Please do your own experiment to confirm, but I believe there are only two "positions" of the S-Flow switch, front-only and all seats. The option for driver-only and both front seats is automatic depending on whether there is a weight in the passenger seat. So you would not be able to select driver only with a person sitting in the passenger seat--but I could be wrong!
I've toyed with it enough that I'm not going to bother looking at mine. I'm about 99.99% sure you are correct. It's driver only or front and back. If someone sits in the shotgun seat, it goes from driver only to front seat only automatically. Aw, heck. I cheated and checked the OM. Good thing I did. We're basically right, but in auto mode there are nuances that come into play when it's extra cold or warm outside or when a rear door gets opened.
Well, I will be the first to admit that I did not know it had that feature. Am especially surprised that it is on the Prius, but not the Lexus.
Hadn’t a clue either til I was fooling around with the heat in the 18 degree weather and realized the displays changed. Kinda cool
Lexuses are designed for comfort, Priuses for fuel economy. Anyway, I mostly drive the Prime alone so S-Flow is the standard setting unless I manually switch it off. There is a side effect in the winter season: the right part of the windshield tends to be fogged. This is not very good for safety...
This thread might be of interest to you then. Most Obscure Prime Facts (Way Out There) | PriusChat One thing that isn't mentioned (Because most PC owners know this), is that the tonneau cover for those models equipped with the roller-type cover, can be stored in the bin in the floor at the rear of the vehicle. Lexus has S-Flow but you have to manually select it via the S-Flow button. It wasn't tied to the automatic climate control function until now. More advanced climate control systems (designed for comfort) will blow stronger cold air on the side facing the side (Based on GPS position and sun angle). It's been available since the early 2000s on some Acuras AFAIK. (2004 TL was the earliest I can remember).
Thanks for the link!! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending who you ask) - I have the LE w/ the 7” infotainment screen. It was the only new Prime available within 3-4 hours of my area and I’ve never even seen the 11.6”’ screen up close.
I have noticed, and tried to find a solution to, puting the HVAC system in auto Via the MFD. You can't! You can do everything else, manual fan speed, temp adjustment, etc but only way to put it in auto is via the 7" or 11.6" screen.
For the most part, I don't change the HVAC setting much, but when I was with 2017 PP Premium, I was very annoyed that I could change the HVAC setting and turn it OFF by using the wheel button only, but could not turn it ON without using the large display. Now with 2020 PP LE, I have a physical button to quickly turn ON and OFF. 100% better!
