Sounds like the compressor keeps turning on???

[JingChuan]

What I find hilarious is that people will put on a turbo back exhaust, a more solid rear mount, and sound systems that will almost break glass and then complain about a tiny little hum coming from the AC compressor.

The compressor runs for 2 reasons. To keep the system lubricated during the winter months when people don't use the AC and to remove moisture to prevent the windows from fogging.

Ironic maybe, but hilarious? Hmmm.

What I find ironic though, is that people will install all kinds of items on their car's engine to improve its efficiency, but accept the fact that the compressor is running automatically, thereby decreasing the amount of power available (and arguably, the efficiency.)

The compressor does not run automatically to keep the system lubricated during the winter months. As per the owner's manual:

"Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes at least once a month to keep internal parts lubricated."

This would seem to indicate a decision on the operator's part to do so.

Also, the compressor does not run automatically to remove moisture to prevent the windows from fogging:

"The windows may fog up easily in humid weather. Use the climate control system to defog the windows. To help defog the windows, operate the air conditioner to dehumidify the air. NOTE The air conditioner may be used along with the heater to dehumidify the air."

Again, this seems to indicate the operator choosing to have the compressor activate.

That being said, further reading of the manual results in this bit of info:

"In the... [climate control selector set to floor vents, defroster, or defroster + floor vents] ...position, the air conditioner is automatically turned on (however, the indicator light does not illuminate) and the outside air mode is automatically selected to defrost the windshield."

Apparently then, selecting the dashboard vents or dashboard + floor vents mode on the climate control should allow use of the fan, and therefore the heater, without having the compressor engage. FWIW, my indicator light does illuminate when I select the flor vents. I can shut it off with the a/c switch, but the compressor stays on.


I guess the lesson that I'll take home is: read the manual. (RTM)

 

[oaklandopen]

the cabin temp is also an input for the climate control. i notice that when the climate control is set "on", and you change the temp dial (as long as the cabin temp is between the climate controls 60-90degree settings) the vents will change from floor to face and so on as you adjust.

say it's 75 in your car, you turn on the climate control and it's set to 75. as you move the temp higher the floor vents open, as you move the temp lower the vents move to floor/face, then just to face

 

[dan1101]

The auto climate control is nice because you don't have to mess with the hot/cold mix all the time, but other than that I don't really like the way it works very much.

 

[builthatch]

 

[dan1101]

I left my car on Auto the for the whole last tank of gas. Seems to run defrost a LOT, and the AC indicator on the LCD panel never went off. Got 327 miles on 12.92 gallons of 89 octane gas, so that's 25.3 MPG. That's about average for me, so not too bad.

I put a tank of 93 in today, I'll still leave the climate control on Auto and see what happens this tank.

 

[J-Villa]

I left my car on Auto the for the whole last tank of gas. Seems to run defrost a LOT, and the AC indicator on the LCD panel never went off. Got 327 miles on 12.92 gallons of 89 octane gas, so that's 25.3 MPG. That's about average for me, so not too bad.

I put a tank of 93 in today, I'll still leave the climate control on Auto and see what happens this tank.

I never run anything then 93... ew

As for the A/C, my service manager told me it's to keep the insides of the air system dry. Apparently, moisture can build up, condense, and then cause mold and other nasty problems. And If someone doesn't change their in cabin filter alot, the filter molds up and it blows nasty moldy air into your face. You may be a tough guy, but mold can and will kill people.

And there are alot of little issues with this car, but the pro's far outweigh the con's (band)