A/C is auto on? How to override?

[jcbtv]

Just got an 05 Mazda3 2.3 and am loving it. Still finding my way around all the functions..

I noticed that the A/C seems to turn on automatically when the vent selector is an 12 o'clock (straight up) and any other selection from 12 to 6 (to the right). This happens regardless of temp selection. Is this correct? Is there anyway to override it? I'd rather have the choice, and not to run it all the time...

 

[neox.286]

well I don't personally own a 3, but I would assume you turn it off by pressing the a/c button on the dash in the bottom row of buttons (far left button)

 

[Wastegate13]

I believe the only setting which does not use the compressor is the floor vent.

 

[jcbtv]

well I don't personally own a 3, but I would assume you turn it off by pressing the a/c button on the dash in the bottom row of buttons (far left button)

The A/C light doesn't actually come on, but I can hear the compressor come on. So, the button doesn't do anything in this "auto" mode. Frustating!

 

[neox.286]

it shouldn't be kicking on a/c automatically...I found a pic of the 05 dash online and it looks like the vent selector settings on the right side are all including the defroster, not the a/c....the button on the right of the bottom row of buttons with the picture of a vent and squigely lines coming out of it is for defroster not a/c

 

[jcbtv]

I believe the only setting which does not use the compressor is the floor vent.

I could be wrong, but on mine I think it's the floor vent and all defrost modes. The "upper body" modes don't seem to run the AC...

 

[neox.286]

The A/C light doesn't actually come on, but I can hear the compressor come on. So, the button doesn't do anything in this "auto" mode. Frustating!

really? now that IS odd lol
you sure it's not the sound of the vents changing to direct the defroster air? does your idle drop when you switch it to that setting?

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

To the feet should be the only setting for current Mazdas that will not run the compressor in some way or another... There is no over ride like the Hondas.

 

[jcbtv]

it shouldn't be kicking on a/c automatically...I found a pic of the 05 dash online and it looks like the vent selector settings on the right side are all including the defroster, not the a/c....the button on the right of the bottom row of buttons with the picture of a vent and squigely lines coming out of it is for defroster not a/c

Thanks for digging around.. As far as I understand, the squiggly lines are for the rear defrost. And just to clarify - when I mention the A/C, I mean that the pump comes on, it doesn't blow cold (unless the temp is set to cold). I think it's designed to dehumidify the air, which is all fine and good, especially here in VT, but I just want the option of turning it on and off at will. It seems crazy run the compressor on a long trip where I want heat on my feet....

 

[jcbtv]

To the feet should be the only setting for current Mazdas that will not run the compressor in some way or another... There is no over ride like the Hondas.

Hmmm.. So, maybe I have the sounds backwards... And maybe it IS the vents changing that I'm hearing... I will do a test this weekend and see if I can see the pully on the AC spinning up/down. Either way, it's a pisser that there is no override!

 

[Wastegate13]

Srsly. What is with these people's obsession with not running the compressor? Is it the extra .05857 mile to the gallon you might get?

 

[neox.286]

actually your gas mileage drops significantly more when the compressor is running, depending on your driving habits

if you baby the car everywhere you won't notice much of a difference, if not then you will notice a large difference

 

[Wastegate13]

actually your gas mileage drops significantly more when the compressor is running, depending on your driving habits

if you baby the car everywhere you won't notice much of a difference, if not then you will notice a large difference

I have gotten 24-26 mpg consistently since I bought this car. Suffering through the 21432145% humidity here in FL to get 27 is not appealing to me.

 

[neox.286]

thats fine, but the argument isnt whther or not its justified because of the heat outside, its based off of the actual mpg gains or losses to be had from leaving the compressor on...and again, it all depends on your driving habits

for people like me living in cali where its not hot most ofthe time its pointless to leave the compressor on

 

[turbo23]

The car while using any of the defrost settings will us the AC all the time. There is no way to turn this off, its part of the defrost/defog process. Just use any of the other settings that do not use the defrost/fog and you can turn off and on the compressor when you need it.

 

[matsuda]

I could be wrong, but on mine I think it's the floor vent and all defrost modes. The "upper body" modes don't seem to run the AC...

I believe you are right.

2 modes that don't run the compressor: upper vents and floor/upper vents.

 

[zoomdoom]

I believe you are right.

2 modes that don't run the compressor: upper vents and floor/upper vents.

me 3

 

[JingChuan]

Try a search here, or read the manual:

"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."

So floor vents setting will activate the compressor. The upper vents setting will not.

 

[dan1101]

It's a very annoying behavior, I would bet that in city driving having the compressor running does affect your mileage noticably.

 

[NiteRunner]

You think that's bad, try a Mercedes or BMW to name a few.

My Brothers 328 would only allow FULL fan speed when selected to defrost. If you turned down the fan speed manually, it would deselect the defrost vents.
We all know how powerful and loud import heater fans are.
Personally I used to keep the defrost on low all of the time during cold months before I had A/C, to keep the windshield clear.