A few years ago, before we had a Prius, we evacuated Houston with a few million others as hurricane Rita approached. We drove for twelve unpleasant hours in 95 degree heat, traveling only 120 miles. We hardly used the AC for fear of overheating the car. Chances are we'll do it again someday. I wonder how well a Prius would handle a situation like that? Could I have used a Prius's AC longer under those conditions?
No fear of overheating at all...that concern you can wipe off the list. But running the AC for 12 hours in 95 degree heat will give your fuel economy a hit. Still, with a total distance of 120 miles if you have a full tank I think you'd be fine if you keep the temp set at a reasonable level (I use 78...maybe increase to 80 if you're worried about it).
I ran the Prius with the A/C on full blast while I was inside at a restaurant in 113 degree weather last weekend. Yesterday I probably let it idle for at least an hour as well. I probably had at least 5 hours total idling on the Prius on the last gas tank alone. It's never broken a sweat.
72!? Down here that's brain numbing cold during the summer! Hell, for alot of the year it's too cold REGARDLESS of where I am! LOL I set my A/C at 75 in the morning driving to work. By mid-day, I've crept up to 76 or 77, depending on cloud cover. If I'm waiting at a drive-through or a long light I'll creep it up to 80 or so. The A/C really is an energy pig--or Hawg as they say in Arkansas... LOL War Eagle!
Those of us with Scangauges monitor our gas engine coolant temp (I think there's a separate system for the electronic side). I've never seen mine go over 200, even if ambient is 100, AC is on 76, and at an elevation of 5200 feet. Even if you are stopped or moving very slowly, the radiator fan will come on to cool the radiator. You should have no trouble whatsoever, the car is designed for operation like that.
You'll take a mpg hit but the car will be fine. In fact, you *should* run the air conditioner since there is a vent in the back seat to cool the batteries.
The Prius is great in that slow stop & go crap. The battery will get pretty low if your average is really 10mph and the A/C is running, but you won't have to worry about running out of gas or overheating on the way. Any yes, the A/C is easily the best in any car I've had. It blows so cold your hands will go numb.
I think the idea is not to wait until it's almost too late to evac. Something New Orleans and South Florida know all about! Which scan guage tool is water temp? The one that says WOT?
Since the ICE will only run about 50% of the time as the battery cycles up and down, you'll actually be much less likely to overheat. You'll also be much less likely to run out of gas sitting on the freeway for 12 hours. Without the AC running you could sit on the freeway with the car on for about a week. With the AC on it might only last a few days. You can also make some simple mods to run your entire house off the Prius should chose not to evacuate PriUPS-getting electricity FROM your hybrid vehicle Rob
