Climate control all night in the Hybrid Toyota Sienna // Van-Life in Yellowstone

JUSTIN A VAN
[Season0, Episode16]:
Sienna Hybrid Climate Control All Night //Vanlife Next Generation
I used my 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid's climate control all night long outside of Yellowstone when it was -34 degrees F outside. It's crazy how efficient these vans are. It's the next generation of vanlife.

[@jaimerodriguez664]

Thanks!! You made one of the best videos!!!!!

[@larryc1616]

Less than $5 to keep 70F warm inside with -18F outside is a bargain and life-saver! I've seen others only having to use $1-2 for overnight heat in less cold weather conditions around 30F

[@livingmybestestlife]

FYI - Hitting the lock button while you're idling cancels the auto shutoff mode.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Woah that’s helpful. Thanks

[@GaryangCA]

I found some source said the Gasoline Particulate Filter will damaged quickly when you Idle for extended periods, especially during winter.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Got it, I did no research and just hoped for the best. The thing is this is a hybrid so it only idles for probably 5 minutes max each cycle. Did you lookup standard gasoline engines?

[@017HVincent]

If you change your MPG range settings from "total average" to "tank average," you'll get a more accurate view of your MPG. Just go to settings. Easy. There are three options, Total (which gives you an average over the life of the car), Trip (which gives you an average for just that session), and Tank, which averages your MPG for that tank of gas, automatically resetting when you refil you tank.

[@yiubee9082]

That is my dream set up right there

[@Justin.a.Van.]

It’s incredible

[@raccoons392]

Great video, very encouraging to see that the internal climate control can handle the cold weather at a reasonable cost! Thank you!

[@crstaggers]

I love my Sienna. Nice video!

[@GraceDeMartini-kg7py]

Love the party lights

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Thank you!

[@taix371]

The bed set-up was done gracefully.

[@masoodkhan3287]

Very informative

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Glad to hear

[@starvingrtist8714]

Btw I have a 2022 Sienna, I think in this situation I'd just use enough climate control to keep it above freezing temp and use other means to keep warm, such as zero degree sleeping bag and low wattage heated pad or blanket that can be powered by USB power banks. That was it doesn't stress the car as much and kills less gasoline.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Right. I really try to avoid it and have only used it probably 10 times since I got it

[@shallowada]

Your idea is great. Don't listen to these know-it-alls in the comments. I've had what he described in a pickup. It won't work in that kind of cold. Montana here, so I know. The commenter above has never used his method in -20F or he wouldn't have a face 😉. Your idea is great, and you still have your face to prove it!

[@starvingrtist8714]

@@shallowada you are clearly a terrible reader. My comment is about using all of the above methods together to relieve stress on the car, that includes the car's climate control which YOU yourself said works. If my suggestion is to include the method you approved plus more, how can it fail? Please enlighten the community.

[@Jts449]

Really helpful video. I have a 2020, but being able to stay warm during winter would open up a lot of possibilities. Please keep us updated!

[@tulawieM]

Do one in the summer with the ac on.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Will do

[@Tykoon]

Amazing. What about going to the restroom at night? Do you have an inside solution or outside?

[@bigbandguru]

60 is a good sleeping temperature but may need it 55 in a 0 bag.

[@bdmenne]

I would do 40F if I’m rocking a Zero degree bag. Just need to make sure to wear head covering and maybe a loose fitting light blanket/scarf to slow the heat loss from the face.

[@LorieLeCrew]

I ❤ my Sienna

[@lizlemon9632]

Impressive.

[@ngoaini]

Wow this is very helpful. Hope you'll do another video when stopping by some desert. I'll expect it will cost more than cold enviroment.

[@paulkuzia9236]

Very helpful video as I devour all info on the latest Sienna prior to my purchase of one. Really looking forward to some camping trips and an eventual drive to Alaska from NY.

[@CUELLOA11]

nice my only concern is when you want to go to the restroom at night

[@Justin.a.Van.]

I have a video about… my toilet bucket

[@tydavies9687]

Curious about your bed set up. I built one but is based on the seats being folded forward and then the bed on top of that, but then we can’t sit up in our beds

[@daytripper956]

Graceful Bed setup. 3rd Row Bench seat folds down to make a Bed with 2nd Row seats removed?

[@olivierh-p8914]

I'm pretty sure if you create a digital key inside the Toyota app on your phone, you could lock your car that way instead of using the key fob while inside your van. It's also a lot safer since it's much harder for thieves to clone your key. I have a Grand highlander hybrid 2024 so it might be different.

[@diaperdood1]

Can u go through the process of putting it in ready mode and showing us how u do that

[@moridin1138]

With your foot off the brake, double press the ignition button.

[@jillsmith1134]

I have a 2021. When you crank the car it is in ready. Put your foot on the break and press ignition button one time.

[@rayyseason]

Do you remember how many times did the van turn on and off? Is it noticeable when it turns on, like causing sleep disturbances?

[@Justin.a.Van.]

I will try to do a video in the future doing some testing to see the frequency. I got used to the turning on and off so it’s not an issue for me

[@GaiaCarney]

Thanks for sharing this! Do you have a carbon monoxide alarm/monitor?

[@Justin.a.Van.]

I do not. I should get one

[@ZebaKnight]

Very interesting... How did you get fresh air?

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Just the standard engine’s air filtering. Just leave the car running

[@ZebaKnight]

@@Justin.a.Van. Thanks for this answer. The Sienna is at the top of my list now. Your video pushed it even higher.

[@chiupangkwan4305]

Where is the best spot to stay overnight? I can see hotel one of them, anyother?

[@VityokChotkiy]

How does this affect the longevity of the hybrid battery and other parts of the van? I guess only time will tell.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Yeah I really do not know.

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

How much does it cost you per Month to run and live in the Vehicle ?

[@sccphilly]

Dude, how do you permanently disable the message “keep van on or shut it off” after 20 minutes “ beeping after locking doors before going to sleep?

[@jillsmith1134]

You push button that says off. Very easy.

[@xhawkchief]

how did you turn off the air bag light with the center seats out.

[@tybrady4598]

Brad Ling makes an emulator. Just Google his name. It’s brads hacks. I can’t give any more info otherwise my comment is deleted. It’s an awesome device that allows Sienna owners to remove their middle seats.

[@moridin1138]

You can use a resistor in place of the seat hookup. There are KZbin videos on this.

[@Renaissancewoman17]

Does anyone know if it works the same in a Chrysler Pacifica hybrid? I haven’t seen anyone talk about it.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

I am not sure. Someone should do a test with it for sure.

[@hideawayhomesllc5103]

could you run things off of the hybrid battery rather than the engine? 70 degrees with a 0 degree bag sounds kind of warm.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Yeah the sleeping bag is overkill but it was my only bedding at the time. You can’t choose whether things run off the battery or the engine. The engine just goes on and off as it needs to

[@thatdudeinblack8707]

Ifs not good to idle ur engine all night. Look it up

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Yes it isn’t good, but the nice part is how little the engine actually idles. It will only idle like 30% of the time spent with the vehicle on

[@anythinggoesc33j4y]

With this Hybrid you can, look it up. ❤

[@petergoeman7814]

Can all of the 2021 and newer Sienna hybrids run the heat overnight like this?

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Yep

[@petergoeman7814]

@@Justin.a.Van. Can you also run the HVAC while being outside of the van? For example, can I leave my dog inside with the HVAC running while I take a serious business bathroom break at Starbucks - turning on the HVAC then locking the doors from outside either remotely or with the key?

[@NoRegrets.]

I cannot lock mine from the outside while running from the key fob I do not know if you can do it from the app since you have to pay monthly for the remote start and stop from app. I just did not continue it after the free time was up. I would love to find someone to remove my middle seats for me; so as to have more room

[@cwjsam]

On my Prius v. We would leave the car running with the temp set for the dog. Roll the driver side window down. Keep the key fob with you. Close and hit the lock button on the inside of the door. The reach in and hit the window up button. Get your arm out of the way. We were able to leave the car on for hours. Now you will need the spare key in the key fob to unlock the doors.

[@NoRegrets.]

@@cwjsam can you explain why you need spare ? Are you leaving the first fob the car.

[@mabelwong3059]

is it dangerous to sleep in the van? are there carbon dioxide inside the car if keep running? new to this - is this a concern?

[@Louiepr60]

No not with hybrid

[@ronb6182]

I had an idea to rig up my heating system to bypass the engine and heat the water coolant with a propane hot water heater and a pump . Then only the fan running will keep the car warm. 73

[@bdmenne]

@@ronb6182that sounds clever

[@ronb6182]

@@bdmenne yeah but I know someone will knock down this idea because if the fumes from the hot water heater but it's minimal and the heater could be placed outside away from the vehicle. Some heaters are almost 100 percent efficient. I had one in my laundry room. 73

[@starvingrtist8714]

Why are you getting such low mpg? Due to the weight of your build?

[@Justin.a.Van.]

I think it was the cold and the wind. I was able to get 33 MPG on a really long road trip with the cargo box and all I’ve added is a bike so I don’t know why it’s so low

[@livingmybestestlife]

Using the heater decreases the mpg.

[@starvingrtist8714]

that's a myth, using heat in a car does not decrease the mpg especially not by 10 for a hybrid Sienna@@livingmybestestlife

[@ronb6182]

I agree the energy has to cone from somewhere. There are mountains so that adds needing more gasoline power. 73​@@livingmybestestlife

[@jillsmith1134]

@@Justin.a.Van. I was getting 33 but pulling a tear drop dropped me down to 28. The battery does not like the cold at all. Sometimes when it goes so low is an indication your battery is going out. I hope not. They cost 5000 dollars. You should be covered under warrenty.

[@NoRegrets.]

Justin i just found you who removed your seats .i would love to have mine removed. I am a 73 year old woman and don’t think that is something i can do.

[@Justin.a.Van.]

Hmm. If you order the airbag override devices online from this website www.google.com/search?q=toyota+sienna+seat+removal&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS708US708&oq=toyota+sienna+seat+removal&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORiABDIGCAEQIxgnMgcIAhAAGIAEMggIAxAAGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB4yCAgIEAAYFhgeMggICRAAGBYYHtIBCDY4ODJqMGo3qAIZsAIB4gMEGAEgXw&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#ip=1 you could find someone else to take the seats out for you because they are quite heavy

[@NoRegrets.]

@@Justin.a.Van. THANK YOU

[@Louiepr60]

Why the horrible gas mileage ja.

[@johnendalk6537]

Cuz of the cold