I think all the questions have been answered but as a Prius owner I'll chip in.
If you take the foot off the brake the Prius will creep forward if you are on the level, but will hold its position if on an incline. In other words it behaves like a regular automatic. Removing your foot from the brake engages the electric motor. 18 months ago I had occaision to drive my FIL's car several times in the UK. Each time you came to a stop the engine turned off. As soon as you took your foot off the brake the engine started again ready to move off (it was also a stick shift). I never got used to the engine stopping and starting all the time even though I was used to that with the Prius - I guess that is because you don't hear the electric motor engaging when you take your foot off the brake.
The A/C works fully whether or not the engine is running. However, like a regular car, the heater does not start to blow until the engine has warmed up enough to have hot water flowing through the heater.
I think it is good practice to either have the footbrake applied or the park brake when stopped in case you are rear-ended. Some time back a colleague at work was waiting to turn left when she was rear ended. Unfortunately she had her wheels turned in preparation and was pushed into the oncoming traffic causing her to be hit head on as well.
If you take the foot off the brake the Prius will creep forward if you are on the level, but will hold its position if on an incline. In other words it behaves like a regular automatic. Removing your foot from the brake engages the electric motor. 18 months ago I had occaision to drive my FIL's car several times in the UK. Each time you came to a stop the engine turned off. As soon as you took your foot off the brake the engine started again ready to move off (it was also a stick shift). I never got used to the engine stopping and starting all the time even though I was used to that with the Prius - I guess that is because you don't hear the electric motor engaging when you take your foot off the brake.
The A/C works fully whether or not the engine is running. However, like a regular car, the heater does not start to blow until the engine has warmed up enough to have hot water flowing through the heater.
I think it is good practice to either have the footbrake applied or the park brake when stopped in case you are rear-ended. Some time back a colleague at work was waiting to turn left when she was rear ended. Unfortunately she had her wheels turned in preparation and was pushed into the oncoming traffic causing her to be hit head on as well.
