MS6 Autmoatic Climate Control

[fraz_bb]

I generally use the automatic climate control in my MS6. I've noticed that the climate control system always turns the AC on. Right now, it is 4 degrees F outside. I have my climate control set to 66 degrees F and the AC is always on. To me, this make sense when the defrost is on. But, according to the display, sometimes the defrost isn't on. But, the AC is still on. If I try and turn the AC off, the climate control goes into manually mode.

Is this normal?

 

[B1GHAM]

yes its normal unfortunately for the climate control. The one thing I havent figured out is if the AC compressor is actually running the entire time it says AC on or not. Im guessing its probably NOT running but listed as on because it might be turning on @ some point (even if you have it set to 85 degrees and its -20 out) to even the temperature.

 

[Skywlkr]

I generally use the automatic climate control in my MS6. I've noticed that the climate control system always turns the AC on. Right now, it is 4 degrees F outside. I have my climate control set to 66 degrees F and the AC is always on. To me, this make sense when the defrost is on. But, according to the display, sometimes the defrost isn't on. But, the AC is still on. If I try and turn the AC off, the climate control goes into manually mode.

Is this normal?

Yes it seems to be. There is another thread on the AC already. Chech it out. You can see that it seems everyone is having the samething. We all have determined that we can't us the auto setting for heat.

 

[Skywlkr]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123652497

 

[fraz_bb]

Thanks for the info. Guess I should have tried to search a little harder for the answer to my question before posting.

I'm just going to have to learn to live with the AC being on all winter or not use the ACC.

Although, I'm not very happy about the possibility that the AC switch might only be used to turn on/off the indicator light. Why give us a switch if the AC is going to be on not matter what the switch is set to? But, I'm going to have to test this myself to fully believe it.

 

[Skywlkr]

no prob.
Welcome to the forum by the way.

I found I just use the knob on the left to turn the heat up and down or adjust the temp rather then hit the auto button. The heat works fine that way and the ac light never comes on.

 

[Newf]

This is what I do. I'll put the fans in the mode I want, usually heating the floor and front defrost ( but don't hit the big front defrost button) Then I hit the Auto button, then hit the AC button to turn that off, or at least the light off??? and then adjust the temp to what I want. The fans won't kick in or speed up until the car is warm, it'll get to the temp I want it at, then the fans spin down again by themselves. If someone opens the door or window, the fans will speed up again until it's at the right temp, then spin down again. As long as nobody touches the manual fan speed control ( knob on left side) and/or the large front defrost button ( top half of middle dial ) it remains in this "auto" mode forever.

It's the only middle ground I can find with this car.

Is the AC still on? I don't think so, my mpg hasn't changed much since I started doing this.

 

[MS6S2K]

This is what I do. I'll put the fans in the mode I want, usually heating the floor and front defrost ( but don't hit the big front defrost button) Then I hit the Auto button, then hit the AC button to turn that off, or at least the light off??? and then adjust the temp to what I want. The fans won't kick in or speed up until the car is warm, it'll get to the temp I want it at, then the fans spin down again by themselves. If someone opens the door or window, the fans will speed up again until it's at the right temp, then spin down again. As long as nobody touches the manual fan speed control ( knob on left side) and/or the large front defrost button ( top half of middle dial ) it remains in this "auto" mode forever.

It's the only middle ground I can find with this car.

Is the AC still on? I don't think so, my mpg hasn't changed much since I started doing this.

I was just gonna type something like this. I noticed that I have to put the temp up higher (75), or the heat doesn't come out warm enough for me, but it does work automatically, and if the a/c button is off, the a/c is off because I hear the compressor turn on if I press the button.

 

[JayHovah]

I have observed the same behavior with other cars from other manufacturers from Nissan, to mini to audi. I believe the AC is not necessarily running if the light is on. All of these other cars also turn on the AC light when auto climate control is engaged.

I guess you could really test it by letting the car sit for a while for the cabin temp to settle and see if the compressor is still running. Or after a long drive see if it is still running. This bothered me for the longest time too because I thought it would give me bad gas mileage.

 

[chiefmg]

I haven't looked closely under my hood yet, but normally the A/C compressor has an electro-magnetic clutch to activate it. If you look at the compressor with the car running, you will always see the pulley turning but if the compressor is not running then the center section will be stationary. If you aren't sure what you are looking at then have someone turn the A/C on while you are staring at the compressor and you will see what I am talking about. That's the best way I know to see if it is on or not.

I would presume that it doesn't run all the time while in auto. In any event it is not such a bad thing to have the compressor run at least once a month to keep everything in the system lubricated (otherwise seals dry out and you lose the charge).

 

[PerfectXtreme]

Maybe I missed something... i read this really quickly... However i'm almost 100% sure that the AC compressor can not only cool the air.. but also help heat it up faster.... The Auto climate control function is designed to adjust everything as quickly as possible.. one touch heating/cooling.... So it makes sure everything is running at all times to do the best job it can...

NOW... this also means it will be draining extra resources from the car... stealing power from the engine (AC compressor).. bla bla bla...

Thats my SINGLE biggest complaint about my speed6... the auto climate control is pretty bad... You have to enable the fan before you can adjust the temperature... bla bla bla....

Thankfully I have a turbo Air option on mine... located on the door arm-rests... WINDOW switch =)....

 

[salth2o]

I have observed the same behavior with other cars from other manufacturers from Nissan, to mini to audi. I believe the AC is not necessarily running if the light is on. All of these other cars also turn on the AC light when auto climate control is engaged.QUOTE]


So true, my Murano, as well as my touraeg and jettas/gti's all did the same thing. I think it is just the way the sytem runs. If you think about it the light has to come on in case the air needed to turn on to keep the temp at where you set it. If not you would have to push the AC button, making it not really automatic climate control. According to Mazda the compressor does not actually run unless the computer signals it that it needs to blow cold air. Should not make any difference in power or MPG.

 

[IVIax]

Actually even if the AC button is "on" in your car, the AC is not on, and the heat would be on if it's cold outside, I looked it up on the owners manual.

They say that even if you hit "auto" and the "ac" light goes on, and it's cold outside, your car will blow WARM AIR.

I have no idea why they did that, but look at the owners manual, they have some sort of explanation for it.

 

[Gandalf]

Actually even if the AC button is "on" in your car, the AC is not on, and the heat would be on if it's cold outside, I looked it up on the owners manual.

They say that even if you hit "auto" and the "ac" light goes on, and it's cold outside, your car will blow WARM AIR.

I have no idea why they did that, but look at the owners manual, they have some sort of explanation for it.

Its because the AC unit also dehumidifies the air, hence why you may use it even with the heat on for defrosting your windows. . . everyone should know that. NO AC + FOGGED WINDOWS = FOGGED WINDOWS if it is very humid.

Its actually considered a "safety" feature due to people being too stupid to realize they need the AC on to defog their window (or while running the defroster sometimes).