Air conditioning and powerBoost

[ChiefC2]

I live in AZ and when I go to the store I often have to leave the truck running For the Dog. My question: with the hybrid will the battery run the AC while I’m in the store so the engine doesn’t have to run?

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[JJ_Tex]

Yes and no. Yes it will run the A/C, but the engine will still have to run periodically to recharge the batteries.

I used mine for a tailgate last weekend. I was more concerned with it powering the TV than the A/C inside of the truck, but the engine kicked on for 1-2 minutes about every 10-15 mins.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Yes, The AC is driven by an electric motor running from the hybrid battery. The engine will kick on every so often to recharge the hybrid battery. In my experience that seems to be about every 10 to 20 minutes in the summertime with outside temps around 95ºF and with direct sunlight heating the interior. You might think about posting sign on the truck so that some passerby doesn't break in to "save you dog." That happens with some regularity and the police won't be attuned to an explanation on your part leaving you with at least a broken window.

 

[astrand1]

As a side note I really don’t understand why people feel the need to take their dogs along when it’s that hot or just so that they sit in the car. But to each their own. Yes the AC is electrically driven. Just like a Prius etc. that’s why AC in hybrids tend to be much better as the compressor is not dependent at all in the rpm of the engine.

 

[oneinch]

Just leave the truck running and lock it up. Be mindful of the 30 minute idle shut off.

 

[DBL R]

I use “dog mode” a lot. We typically load up the truck then head to the store for food/drinks then take off for the weekend. We leave our dog in the truck and run in to grab supplies. Turn ac on auto medium or high fan, Set to a comfortable temp around 68-70 degrees, close the door, and hold the bottom 2 buttons on the keypad and the doors lock. The truck will stay in this mode for 30 minutes before auto turning off. You can de-select 30 minute idle and it’ll stay on until you get back. For our power use in this setting the truck typically will be in electric mode for 25-30 minutes and will run the engine for 60 seconds then repeat. We have the legal limit for tinted windows for our state, so we haven’t had issues with anyone trying to be a hero and break and window. This function is a large reason why we got the powerboost.

 

[ChiefC2]

Thanks for the answers. Ordered a new truck on the 30th with the assumption that i could leave the AC on when I went into the store but had never asked.

for Astran1: if I leave the house to go to the store I don’t take my German Shepherd with me. On many other occasions I do take him. I hike all over the state with my dog and often need to make A quick stop. Here in Tucson the temp is often over a 100 and leaving a dog in a vehicle even for a short time can end up catastrophic.

 

[lawduck1]

I use “dog mode” a lot. We typically load up the truck then head to the store for food/drinks then take off for the weekend. We leave our dog in the truck and run in to grab supplies. Turn ac on auto medium or high fan, Set to a comfortable temp around 68-70 degrees, close the door, and hold the bottom 2 buttons on the keypad and the doors lock. The truck will stay in this mode for 30 minutes before auto turning off. You can de-select 30 minute idle and it’ll stay on until you get back. For our power use in this setting the truck typically will be in electric mode for 25-30 minutes and will run the engine for 60 seconds then repeat. We have the legal limit for tinted windows for our state, so we haven’t had issues with anyone trying to be a hero and break and window. This function is a large reason why we got the powerboost.

Why not lock with the remote? Does the keypad avoid the double honk? I believe generator mode does the same thing, but without the 30 minute limit.

 

[DBL R]

Why not lock with the remote? Does the keypad avoid the double honk? I believe generator mode does the same thing, but without the 30 minute limit.

could use the key fob but then that will cause a double honk, but when I’m trying to be incognito I’ll leave the key fob in the truck and lock via keypad.

 

[Snakebitten]

I've never been able to convince myself to leave a fob/key in my vehicles. I at least want someone with nefarious intentions to not be able to move the shifter?

With the Powerboost I don't lose any functionality by keeping the keys on me. As for the double honk, I have it disabled.

Putting the truck in Generator mode is kinda clever since it keeps the truck from shutting down even if nothing is plugged in?

 

[lawduck1]

I've never been able to convince myself to leave a fob/key in my vehicles. I at least want someone with nefarious intentions to not be able to move the shifter?

With the Powerboost I don't lose any functionality by keeping the keys on me. As for the double honk, I have it disabled.

Putting the truck in Generator mode is kinda clever since it keeps the truck from shutting down even if nothing is plugged in?

I agree about not leaving the keys in. Try explaining it to insurance if you leave the fob in and it gets stolen. I love the idea that you can’t put it in gear without the fob even if it is “on.”
That’s my understanding of generator mode. I tried it today when we went to brunch and left the dog in it seemed to work fine.

 

[HammaMan]

could use the key fob but then that will cause a double honk, but when I’m trying to be incognito I’ll leave the key fob in the truck and lock via keypad.

That's one of the handful of things I changed in the truck w/ forscan week 1. No double honk running, no dump truck speaker.

 

[HammaMan]

Putting the truck in Generator mode is kinda clever since it keeps the truck from shutting down even if nothing is plugged in?

I thought I recall someone bitching about it shutting off w/ no load detected??

 

[DBL R]

I've never been able to convince myself to leave a fob/key in my vehicles. I at least want someone with nefarious intentions to not be able to move the shifter?

With the Powerboost I don't lose any functionality by keeping the keys on me. As for the double honk, I have it disabled.

Putting the truck in Generator mode is kinda clever since it keeps the truck from shutting down even if nothing is plugged in?

you can turn off “30 minute idle” and the truck will “run”until it’s out of fuel.

 

[FrankThompson]

you can turn off “30 minute idle” and the truck will “run”until it’s out of fuel.

Which I've personally been hesitant to do because sometimes the truck is so quiet I don't know it's "on"...LOL

Great option for those with pets they may want to stay in the truck for a period of time.... Or if you want to take a nap in your truck

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