Has anyone else noticed that the heater is whimpy? <br><br>We have conditions here that average between -20 below to 30 above during the winter months. It takes this little car forever to warm up and our minivan is warm within a mile or two of our house. <br><br>Our mpg isn't very good in these conditions either. We live in a small town, no highway driving, very cold and flat land. We're avg about 33 mpg. When we do travel it does make it to the 45 mpg highway estimates.

Curious, since I've noticed the prius warms up the interior faster than other cars I've had. <br>The Prius has one (two?) aux electric heating elements in the heater system to help warm up the interior. These do indeed help. However, you must have the mode set to floor or defrost for them to work. Try making sure you're set to floor mode, and try auto fan. <br>I hope this helps!

annja64 said on 2/6/02 9:37 am:<br><br>&gt; Has anyone else noticed that the heater is whimpy? &lt;<br><br>once my heater gets going (after the emissions warm-up time), I'd get toasted out of the car if I didn't keep my thermostat set at 65 with the fan on auto... I agree with the statement that if you want instantaneous heat, go for the defroster (windshield) level positions. (Ususally by the 10min mark (definately the 15min mark) the heat starts flowing quite freely at other level positions.)<br><br>&gt; We have conditions here that average between -20 below to 30 above during the winter months. It takes this little car forever to warm up and our minivan is warm within a mile or two of our house. &lt;<br>&gt; Our mpg isn't very good in these conditions either. We live in a small town, no highway driving, very cold and flat land. We're avg about 33 mpg. When we do travel it does make it to the 45 mpg highway estimates. &lt;<br><br><br>sounds a bit colder than here in (still ice covered since last week) MA. we seem to be in a 20-35F rut.<br><br>remember, the Prius is mainly concerned with keeping its SULEV (super ultra low emission vehicle) status, and high MPG is just a side benefit.<br><br>In order for the emissions control systems (like the catalytic converter) to work correctly, they must be warm (WELL over 100 F, I don't know the actual numbers). Heat from the engine will go first to these systems. This is why you will have lowered mileage during the start of your driving. (I don't notice my MPG going up until after the 10min bar goes by.)<br><br>If you only do short trips (which lowers MPG for any car, just that the Prius tells you in your face how you're doing), your emissions system is still in warm-up stage and that forces the ICE to be on to heat it (so again you can expect lowered MPG in a Prius). Also, in winter the ICE will come on more often for the same heating reason.<br><br>(Do note that running either the AC or the defroster (if over 32F, the defroster runs the AC to dehumidify the cabin air) will cause your ICE to come on more often, as the engine is needed to run the compressor...) Those of us in the US northern regions tend to experience lowered MPG in the winter due to cold and defroster use and better MPG in the summer, while our southern residents (CA, TX, FL, etc.) tend to experience lowered MPG in the summer due to AC use, and better MPG in the winter...<br><br>another thing to remember: if you go out to your car, start it and let it sit for several minutes while you scrape ice off the windows or otherwise wait for the car to warm up, your car's engine is running and the car isn't going anywhere... that's zero (0) MPG. that figure will weigh heavily on your future MPG readings... The engine actually warms up faster when it's under load (i.e. you're driving it), so just get in it and drive. It should warm up quickly enough.

&gt;Has anyone else noticed that the heater is whimpy? <br><br>The heater has been one of my favorite parts of driving this car. It is so much easier and faster to use than any car I've driven previously.

I live in Winter Park CO. We have been getting below zero temps too. I'm still averaging 37 to 39; so far this winter. How long are you letting the car warm up? If you let it sit running for a long time that will affect it. I have more problems with getting the "turtle symbol" more than anything else.

I live in upstate NY average winter temps where I am are between 10-30 F. I do not do any warm up for the car because it wastes lots of gas. If I want the car to warm up quickly, I simply accelerate quicker stressing the engine more. I have substantial heat within 5 minutes of starting using that technique. <br><br>Concerning the "wimpy" heater suggestion which you responded to, I think this heater is quite fine. I am comparing it to a 20' Winnebago (turbo diesel), a 2000 Subaru Outback Sport, and a 1992 Ford Ranger. Yes a large V8 will dump more heat out than this heater, but when the temps here were -5 F last week I was quite warm while driving city and highway..<br><br>steve dickerson<br>Rensselaerville NY.

The turtle? I haven't heard of anyone getting the turtle light at all so far... I wonder if there is some other problem with your car, perhaps a weak battery pack. <br>I'd suggest posting your experiences over at the prius group - there is a lot more tech help over there.

Regarding the "wimpy" heater. I was going to not reply since our weather is warmer, but since Michelle (who lives a bit south of me) made a comment about defrost, etc, I'll comment. I am amazed at how quickly the Prius warms up. I start out in the morning (admittedly from a garage, but the temp in there is typically 38 or so), drive through the 25 degree temps on residential streets with temp at 65, fan auto, air bilevel. I'm getting luke-warm air blowing slowly on my hands within 1/2 mile. Within another mile, the blue light is out and and nice warm air is blowing moderately. At this point I hit the turnpike and the warm air gets nearly unbearable before the Prius decides to turn it down. I find defrost undesireable for the first mile or so since then it seems that cold air is blowing into the cabin.<br><br>Burns

Thank you for your suggestion. I think the problem is the short drives. Everything takes less than 5 minutes to get to so I don't really get a good heat.

Thanks for replying. <br><br>I'm thinking my biggest problem is that it only takes 5 to 10 minutes to get anywhere around town, so that doesn't leave much warming up time. <br><br>Either that or I'm just getting too whimpy. :)<br><br>Thanks

Thanks for replying. <br><br>It must just be me rather than the car because it seems people love the heater. <br><br>Thanks you.

For a while I wasn't letting it warm up at all because I was trying to see if that would improve my mpg. But, now I start the car, go back and get our coats and shoes and hop in the car. It can't be more than a few minutes. <br><br>I've read a few other replies and it seems that people who aren't in the flats get a little better mpg's because they have the ability to coast down hills and such. Plus we have short 5-10 minutes trips at most. The town is only 4 miles square. <br><br>What is the reason for the "turtle symbol" I haven't looked that up yet.<br><br>Thanks for replying to my message.