Since the ICE only powers on intermittently to recharge the traction battery, any safety issues associated with using a new Gen 3 as a "climate-controlled sleeper" at Interstate rest stops? - or perhaps even as an air-conditioned "mini-camper"? If so, would a CO monitor (plugged into a small inverter) be advisable here? Any potential electrical or mechanical concerns for the hybrid system? One individual claimed that he slept all night in air-conditioned comfort - and it cost him only a half-gallon of gas!
i don't think the car would pose any risks as long as it was outside. A co monitor would make it extra safe, but i doubt much would get in. I would be more afriad of the people that may prey on a prius driver napping at a rest stop. LOL if you do this try to record how much gas it uses, vs the outside temp.
My FFH ( Ford ) burns 0.08 gal. per hr. at 94 deg. F. in the shade with AC temp set at 72 deg. I would expect the Prius to be similar as the interiors are close to the same size. The color of the car would be a big factor in the sun. Using 16.5 gal. of the Ford's 17.5 gal. tank, that is 8.5 DAYS !! For an 8 hour nightime snooze, 1/2 gal is very reasonable.
I say definitely a CO monitor and a partially open window or two. I guess you won't need Tom Bodett to keep a light on at the Motel 6!
It's no different than being stuck in traffic. The fuel usage would obviously depend upon the outside temperature, as well as the inside setting. But 1/2 gallon is certainly in the ballpark. This mode is also useful for leaving pets in the car while you shop/eat/whatever. Just be sure to put a sign visible to passersby to try and convince them that the dog is ok. You don't want a window broken by someone trying to rescue the dog from his air conditioned comfort. Or just to keep the car cool while you're shopping. It's really nice to return to a cool car, instead of the furnace that you can get on hot days.
With a Viper alarm you can leave the car running and lock the doors. This is perfect if you want to keep the car cold or hot.
In some states ( FL ) it is illegal to leave a vehicle running unattended. It would only be noticed if the ICE started. Ticketing for that is rare.
Wouldn't you need to leave a smartkey in the car, so it didn't sound the annoying beeps when taking the fob out of the car while powered on? I guess you could leave a fob in the locked, powered-up, car and take one shopping so you could get back in the car, if it's still there, when you return.
No, there is no need to leave a fob in the car. It only beeps a few times when you exit, then settles down. You will need to manually lock the drivers door with the metal key. Tom
It is ok in Ohio. It gets cold up here and people use remote start all the time to get their car warm.
With a slight variation, this also works with an Iconic sans SKS. I leave the fob in, since the car won't run without it, then I lock the car with the button, leaving the driver's side window down. After checking at least twice that I remembered to take the little metal key out of the fob and put it in my pocket, I reach in to power up the window.
What keeps the bad guys from busting a window and driving away with your Prius and fob? Maybe I'm not following what's happening.
I snooze in the car regularly. I don't power up because I'm too cheap to pay for the gas. No problems when I spent a couple hours at the VA rest stop just south of DC. Many people sleep in their vehicles at rest stops with most in tractor trailers. They even sleep on the shoulders.
