Page 577 of 816

5776-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
6
Interior features
■Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press .
Set to outside air mode if the recirculated air mode is used. (It
may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air flow and
temperature up.
The indicator illuminates when the defoggers are on.
To return to the previous mode, press again when the wind-
shield is defogged. Also, turning the power switch off during operation
can return to the previous mode.
■
Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors
Defoggers are used to defog the rear window and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.
Press .
Defoggers switch between on and off each time is pressed.
The indicator illuminates when defoggers are on.
The defoggers will automatically turn off after a period of time.
■
Eco score (A/C score)
P. 2 5 4
Page 578 of 816
5786-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow mode.
■Adjusting the air flow direction
Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.
■Opening and closing the air outlets
Air outlets
Left side outlet/right side outletCenter outlets
Open the vent
Close the vent
Open the vent
Close the vent
1
2
1
2
Page 579 of 816

5796-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
6
Interior features
■ Heating
● In HV mode, the gasoline engine may operate in order to extract heat from
the engine coolant via the heater.
● In EV mode, heating is done by a heat pump system.
• When the outside temperature is low or it is snowing, compared to con-
ventional vehicles, heating may be less effective and warm air may not
come out.
• If frost has formed on the outside heat exchanger, the heating perfor-
mance will decline. The frost can be removed from the outside heat
exchanger by operating the Remote Ai r Conditioning System before driv-
ing ( P. 585). When frosted over, the heating operation of the Remote
Air Conditioning System starts after defrosting.
• When is turned on, the heating is controlled optimally. Therefore,
the set heating performance may not be achieved even if the fan speed
setting is increased.
● In the following situations the gasoline engine may operate in order to
extract heat from the engine coolant via the heater even in EV mode.
• The outside temperature is approx imately -10°C (14°F) or low
• is operating
■ Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and
the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until warm or cool air is ready to flow
immediately after is pressed.
• When the outside heat exchanger is
frosted over, fan speed declines and it
may become harder to heat the inte-
rior. However, it is not a malfunction.
In this situation, the air temperature
from the outlets may not change even
though the set temperature is raised.Outside heat exchanger
Page 580 of 816

5806-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Water droplets during air conditioning operation
■ Setting confirmation screen
■ Operation of automatic airflow control
● In order to maintain a comfortable interior, airflow may be directed to seats
without passengers immediately after the hybrid system is started and at
other times depending on the outside temperature.
● After the hybrid system is started, if passengers move around inside or
enter/exit the vehicle, the system cannot accurately detect the presence of
passengers and automatic airflow control will not operate.
■ Operation of manual airflow control
Even if the function is manually switched to directing airflow to only the
front seats, when a rear seat is occupied, it may automatically direct air-
flow to all seats.
■ To return to automatic airflow control
With the indicator off, turn the power switch off.
After 60 minutes or more elapse, turn the power switch to ON.
■ Front seat concentrated airflow mode (S-FLOW) operation
The outside heat exchanger, accumulator
and air conditioning piping may incur con-
densation or frost may form. During or
after the air conditioning operation, water
droplets may fall from the vehicle. How-
ever, it is not a malfunction.
When changing the settings of the air
conditioning system, the setting confirma-
tion screen is shown as a pop-up on the
multi-information display.
Press of the meter control switches to
go back to the previous screen.
When is pressed, the front seat
concentrated airflow mode (S-FLOW) sta-
tus is displayed on the multi-information
display.
Outside heat exchanger
Accumulator
1
2
Page 581 of 816

5816-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
6
Interior features
■Changing settings using the multi-information display
The air conditioning system settings can be changed on the screen
of the multi-information display. (P. 252)
■Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the
windshield effectively.
●If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
●The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■Windshield fog detection function
When automatic mode is set, the humidity sensor (P. 584) detects fog on
the windshield and controls the air conditioning system to prevent fog.
■When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●Setting to the recirculated air mode temporarily is recommended in prevent-
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature is high.
●Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■Fresh air intake system while parking
When parking, the system automatically switches to outside air mode to
encourage better air circulation throughout the vehicle, helping to reduce
odors that occur when starting the vehicle.
Page 582 of 816

5826-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Operation of the air conditioning system when the blower customization
is set to “ECO”
●In the “ECO” mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to
prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/
cooling capacity
• Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
●To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Adjust the temperature setting
• Set the blower customization to “FAST” or “NORMAL” mode.
●When the driving mode is set to Eco driving mode, the fan speed setting
mode will be changed to “ECO” mode automatically. Even in this case, the
fan speed control mode can be changed by pressing . (P. 468)
■When the outside temperature falls to nearly 0C (32F)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when is pressed.
■Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let the fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
●In order to suppress odors that occur when the air conditioning system
starts, fresh air is automatically taken in when parked.
●To reduce potential odors from occurring, the start timing of the blower may
be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning
system is started in automatic mode.
■Air conditioning filter
P. 681
■Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switching operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 782)
Page 583 of 816
5836-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
6
Interior features
WARNING
■ To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mirror
defoggers are on.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
Page 584 of 816
5846-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
NOTICE
■Humidity sensor
● Do not spray the glass cleaner on the sensor or subject it to strong impacts
● Do not stick anything on the sensor
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning syst em on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.
■ Air outlets
The air outlets become hot when used for heating. Therefore, use caution
and adjust the air outlets accordingly.
In order to detect fog on the windshield, a
sensor which monitors the temperature
of the windshield, the surround humidity,
etc. is installed. ( P. 581)
Follow these points to avoid damaging
the sensor:
● Do not disassemble the sensor