Auto Temp Control - A/C still on in cold weather.

[EddieFord33]

It is getting cold now and when I have the auto temp on full auto, the A/C light comes on, even if its very cold outside. Is suppose to go off after a while or stay on, never seen any of my cars do this, except if its hot outside and it needs A/C. It lowers my MPG.

I know I can turn it off, but is my system still fully auto if I turn it off.

 

[Mountkeen]

Why would you not have A/C on in cold weather? It's not just about temperature its also about humidity. I've always left it switched on in every car I've owned.

Your car’s A/C system is filled with parts that are meant to move. If you don’t use it for a few months, parts like the compressor can seize. This is because it is full of refrigerant and oils that need to be circulated to keep all of its internals lubricated.

In my last car (a Nissan) a faulty switch meant that while I thought the A/C was switched on it was in fact not working. Because it was a diesel and slow to warm up I thought the fogged up windows in winter were just normal for the car. Some time later when I realised the A/C wasn't working I took it to get fixed and had to have lots of the system replaced because parts had seized up or corroded.

 

[ed_carroll]

He probably doesn't want to run the A/C in cold weather because fuel economy drops when the A/C compressor is running. I've never used the A/C during the cold weather months and I've never had a compressor go bad on me.

 

[craigo]

It is getting cold now and when I have the auto temp on full auto, the A/C light comes on, even if its very cold outside. Is suppose to go off after a while or stay on, never seen any of my cars do this, except if its hot outside and it needs A/C. It lowers my MPG.

I know I can turn it off, but is my system still fully auto if I turn it off.

It dries the air. The compressor cycles so you're not losing much.

 

[thuzil]

Yes it is on for removal of humidity from the car. In cold weather your compressor is nit working hard because it is easier to dump the heat to compress the coolant in the system.

 

[EddieFord33]

He probably doesn't want to run the A/C in cold weather because fuel economy drops when the A/C compressor is running. I've never used the A/C during the cold weather months and I've never had a compressor go bad on me.

Yes, I tested today all day and lost an average of 1.5-2 MPG with it on. I guess, I can press the button what the windows fog and off when the coast is clear. I am in sales and at the end of the year, this adds up.

thanks guys...also if in the summer when the temp is reached for cooling does the compress shut off until needed again.

 

[Google]

You folks realize that when you select front DEFROST mode, it automatically turns on the A/C?

 

[Seper]

Actually, I've noticed that even with the AC light disabled, if you set the air flow manually to the front windshield the compressor is activated, I can feel the cool air and I see the MPG dropping.

 

[Beefy]

Actually, I've noticed that even with the AC light disabled, if you set the air flow manually to the front windshield the compressor is activated, I can feel the cool air and I see the MPG dropping.

RTM people, this is all in there.