Air blowing through vents even with AC off.

[sam191]

I have a 2009 CX-9, with 800 miles on it. Over the past week I've noticed that, even with the AC off, there is air blowing out of the air ducts. Is this normal and is there a way to shut it off? Thanks.

 

[The-9]

Is the middle button set to Auto?

 

[bgibb68]

i have a p5 and unless i have it set to recirculating air always comes through the vents when moving.....i have been in many different cars and it's always been the same.....the only one that is different has been my dakota

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

set to come out of the floor vents and hit Off.

 

[hamproof]

Is the middle button set to Auto?

The minute you hit AUTO, A/C will be activated. The minute you hit A/C OFF, AUTO will be off as well.

 

[peepsalot]

Just set it to recirculate.

When it's set for fresh outside air, there is an open passage pointing to the outside, and when your car moves, some air blows in.

 

[sam191]

Middle button set to "off". i didn't notice this on my '02 Explorer or wife's '05 XC70.

I don't want to keep changing modes every time I turn the AC/heat off and on, for both the direction of the air as well as recirc/outside air settings.

If this is the way it is, I guess I will have to live with it. However, this seems like an engineering problem.

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Just don't use auto if you want it to keep your settings. You can trun the manual system on by either pressing AC, or turning the air speed dial.

Auto will always reconfigure everything based on its readings, thus the AUTO name.
​

 

[ucMP3]

Just set it to recirculate.

When it's set for fresh outside air, there is an open passage pointing to the outside, and when your car moves, some air blows in.

Sam, this is how all cars work their A/C that I have even driven/riden in. Hit the recirculate button to stop getting fresh air. It's not an engineering problem. Press the button and its fixed!

 

[Force-1]

I think this is lousy engineering.

In my other vehicles, HVAC off is off--zero airflow when the system is off. In my CX-9 I have to make sure it's in recirculate mode when HVAC is off so I don't get unwanted air flow.

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Just can't please some people.

 

[ucMP3]

What other vehicles? I wonder if some car companies do it this way and others don't... I personally like it because in the summer time I just cruise with windows down and A/C off but with the vents open. I'm usually comfortable hot tho, when everyone else is sweating I feel good...

I also don't feel like having to press a button is a big inconvenience... but maybe thats just me haha

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

...I also don't feel like having to press a button is a big inconvenience... but maybe thats just me haha

I shake my head every time someone complains that they have to press a button to make something happen...lock the doors, close the air vent, unlock the passenger doors.

 

[bgibb68]

I shake my head every time someone complains that they have to press a button to make something happen...lock the doors, close the air vent, unlock the passenger doors.

with some people they just aren't happy even if everything is done for them....there is always something to complain about.....sorry but it's the truth...

every car is different and made different.....live with that or ride a bike.

my dodge doesn't let air flow when off.....but every other car i have ever been in does....it's not an engineering issue....just how who ever makes them makes them......

 

[ucMP3]

Think of it as free a/c! Gas mileage doesn't suffer and you get some air! Win-win situation...

 

[sam191]

I shake my head every time I ask a question and someone comments that I am complaining. I just wanted to know if that was the natural function of the HVAC, because I have not experienced this in other vehicles that I have owned. Ease up Sporty.

I think I understand now that "off" doesn't really mean off in the sense that it stops airflow. I either need to press the recirc button or redirect to my feet. Then when I turn the HVAC back on, I need to change the mode to feet + face, or press the button for outside air. I dig it.

While I agree that it isn't that much effort to press the extra button every time, it doesn't seem that intuitive, which is not good engineering. If you want air blowing, turn on the fan (not a dig at ucMP3). If you don't, turn it to off, just like at home. Seems logical, no?

 

[bgibb68]

would it be logical....i guess.....but how many things are out in the world that aren't logical to some people and all of a sudden it's an 'engineering problem'


sometimes that's just how it goes....

 

[sam191]

so right... and we deal... and move on...

I do appreciate the feedback as my question was answered. Thanks.

 

[Sveivo]

I shake my head every time I ask a question and someone comments that I am complaining. I just wanted to know if that was the natural function of the HVAC, because I have not experienced this in other vehicles that I have owned. Ease up Sporty.

I think I understand now that "off" doesn't really mean off in the sense that it stops airflow. I either need to press the recirc button or redirect to my feet. Then when I turn the HVAC back on, I need to change the mode to feet + face, or press the button for outside air. I dig it.

While I agree that it isn't that much effort to press the extra button every time, it doesn't seem that intuitive, which is not good engineering. If you want air blowing, turn on the fan (not a dig at ucMP3). If you don't, turn it to off, just like at home. Seems logical, no?

It's not really that uncommon though. We have a late model Honda Accord that does that same thing. Our '84 Buick did the same. I've come to believe all cars do it.

Needless to say, my Mazda does it too.

 

[ucMP3]

It's not really that uncommon though. We have a late model Honda Accord that does that same thing. Our '84 Buick did the same. I've come to believe all cars do it.

Needless to say, my Mazda does it too.

I thought all cars did it until I read in this thread that apprently some don't... lol