ACC air recirculation when hot outside

[jandree22]

I just noticed that on my 5 with the ACC turned on, when its cool outside, like 75*F (23*C) and below, the A/C of course is turned on and it automatically selects to bring in outside air. However, when its warm or hot out like above 75*, the system automatically sets the air intake to recirculate rather than bringing the outside air in.

Im curious to know if you 2006 owners notice the same behavior. It seems like this may be a fix for the lack of A/C power, but that's only a guess? I manually overrode the recirculate because I like fresh air, but performance suffered big time when it was about 90*F (32*C) outside... so now I keep my hands off and let it do its thing.

 

[doctorz]

That's interesting. It does makes sense since the cabin cools faster when the recirc is on. Either that or the 5 thinks it knows how to operate the climate control better than you. Can't comment otherwise since we have manual climate control, which I personally prefer.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Recirc inside when a/c is on is standard procedure when it is hot outside.... it was those who changed it to outside air in that condition which lead to the crap about the weak A/C.

 

[paging_drburgos]

my 06 does the same. It's funny but i never thought that my AC was underpowered

 

[jandree22]

Cool beans, thanks for the responses. Being the n0Ob that I am, I though well that's stupid! But I quickly realized it makes a big difference. It's 94*F (34*C) outside here as we speak and the A/C is working great

 

[7red7]

Strange, my 06 5 doesn't do anything I don't set it to do...I have the same climate control setup as the rest of the 5 Sport Tourings, and mine doesn't change from fresh to recirculation??? The temps here in Northern California have already topped 98 degrees as well...In fact, the only time that the system changes by itself is when I activate the front defrost (in which case the fan turns itself up to the highest speed)...However, as soon as I turn the defrost off, it returns to it's normal A/C settings I had it at...

Hmmm, I wonder if my system is malfunctioning, or everyone else's is???

 

[skyhawk]

When the recirc is on, try adjusting the temperature setting to say higher and you will notice at some point you will see the recirc light turn off. It is like the computer telling the ac 'ok the temperature inside is now close to the one outside' so it's ok to let in fresh air.. I also noticed the first time car is started, the recirc is on as if computer checking if ambient and 'desired' temperature is close enough.. It will be interesting to see the microprogram flow chart for the climate control.

 

[coolmazda5]

When the recirc is on, try adjusting the temperature setting to say higher and you will notice at some point you will see the recirc light turn off. It is like the computer telling the ac 'ok the temperature inside is now close to the one outside' so it's ok to let in fresh air.. I also noticed the first time car is started, the recirc is on as if computer checking if ambient and 'desired' temperature is close enough.. It will be interesting to see the microprogram flow chart for the climate control.

Hi skyhawk, I have the Sport model (old knob style) so I had just been reading this from the spectator zone, but...

I love the MZ5 Touring (?) gadgets like the Auto A/C and the raindrop sensor wipers, but, silly question: Wouldn't the suggestion above defy the whole purpose of the gadget intended solution? To me, the auto A/C temp setting should be something like: Set temperature and go!, no further tweaking type thing. Yes, I want to see it in my next car so the why of the question (specifically if my wife drives it as it would be one less thing to worry about

Anyway, just a thought. I may need some coffee (coffee)

 

[jandree22]

I keep my climate control set at 71*F, but even it its 90* outside, I can still override the recirc by just manually turning it off no need to reset the temp. But, I think he was just making the point of how the system works that its intelligent in how it decides when to use the recirc. And its an effective logic too, because without the recirc automatically kicking on when theres a large heat difference outside, the A/C is much less effective.

Also, unfortunately the USDM Touring doesnt have automatic rain sensing wipers hell I dont even have variable intermittent wipers! But no biggie, I never take my baby out in the rain or snow anyways

 

[Mntnbkr]

I have come to the conclusion that my AC is substandard and am wondering if anyone feels the same, and has success getting theirs diagnosed or fixed. The air it blows is not particularly cold at all (worse than my 01 Jetta - which is still not great and definitely no comparision to my 90 Accord, which at times could blow fog from the vents it was so cold) and further, when I am trying to do some catch up when the car is hot, it is worse at cooling when in recirculate mode. One thing I noticed yesterday is that when I have the air on 1/2 floor and 1/2 vents and I engage the recirculate, it shuts off the floor vents and there is no increase of AC coldness or velocity at the vents, and it also creates noticeable dead air/hot spots in the vicinity of the front seats . WTF? Does this sound familiar to anyone or does anyone know what's up with this? Any help is appreciated...

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

I live in the Okanagan Valley of BC, a near desert, where the temperature in the summer months can often exceed 100F and the ACC works perfectly well. I haven't noticed any dead spots, and the only time it blows warm air is when I want it to.

 

[AIMWO4]

It's been hot in Denver, and my AC is working fine. I have it on recirc for a while, before switching to outside. It's not as good as some I've had, but we're not hot.