EVNation
Well-known member
I looked into the more and actually read the manual . What it looks like to me is there is no way to turn off the heating system if the fan is on. There is a AC/Heating On/Off button, but that shuts off the fans. There is a AC button that you can use to independently turn off the AC. But not for the heat. Prius deals with this by having the temp go to "MAX COLD" then it won't try to heat. However, Leaf bottoms out at 60 degrees (manual says 64 but mine goes to 60). Manual also warns not to have internal temp set lower then outside temp without AC since it will "prevent the temperature from being controlled properly".
On a Non-EV this wouldn't matter. Heating is free basically. But on the Mini-E we found heating had a huge impact on Range. It is a ceramic heater that is basically like running a hair dryer on high heat. On Mini it was a larger impact than AC.
So seems like one of two things here. If you turn on fan and crank down temp to 60, either:
1. It really doesn't have much impact but the software dings you -5 miles.
2. It is actually running the heater and has an impact of some significance.
If you are really pressed for juice I guess it is fans off and outside vent in to cool or open the window. It might be nice outside. If you are going fast though that would impact resistance.
More learnings to come.
-Jeff
On a Non-EV this wouldn't matter. Heating is free basically. But on the Mini-E we found heating had a huge impact on Range. It is a ceramic heater that is basically like running a hair dryer on high heat. On Mini it was a larger impact than AC.
So seems like one of two things here. If you turn on fan and crank down temp to 60, either:
1. It really doesn't have much impact but the software dings you -5 miles.
2. It is actually running the heater and has an impact of some significance.
If you are really pressed for juice I guess it is fans off and outside vent in to cool or open the window. It might be nice outside. If you are going fast though that would impact resistance.
More learnings to come.
-Jeff