A/C doesn't mean it blows cold, but it can. I keep the A/C switch on all year round, and simply adjust the temperature accordingly. "Hot" with A/C means dehumidification and that's what you want when defrosting. You want the same effect in the summer, too.

 

The system is designed the way it is for a good reason. It is what it is and you will just have to cope or be unhappy.

 

^^^What he said^^^ If it aint broke don't try fixin it. It's not enough fuel wastage to worry about Bro.

 

Of course, even I agree, compared to having a brain tumor or a hang nail this is less of a problem!

 

Well go get yourself a hangnail and everything will balance out just fine!

 

While I agree with the consensus here, here is how you can verify that the compressor isn't running: After you adjust the settings the way you want, pop the hood and look at the high pressure side of the refrigerant loop (it's on the left side of the engine compartment, above nearly everything else). There is a little window on it. Look into this window for about a minute and see if you see anything moving through it. If not, then the A/C is off. Note that there still might be some liquid sloshing through it after you first turn off the A/C. This is normal.

You're really better off leaving the A/C on with the defroster, though. It helps to remove window fog more quickly and effectively, making things safer. And it is better for your compressor. And, when you're not cooling with the A/C it is not creating as much of a power load on the engine as when you're trying to beat the 100°F heat.

 

Correct you are. This was when they were revisiting myths that they had already tested. They admitted they had goofed up on the 1st test.

 

Basically the A/C acts as a dehumidifyer and helps remove unwanted humidity from the cabin inorder to clear window fog.

 

My beemer was slower with the air on clutch system old r12 and gas mileage was down 3 to 5mpg. Id drive 60mph watch the eccono thingy and turn the air on and wamo would go down.

 

I was trying to get my ac to kick in, and when I did so, I couldn't tell that anything happened. Should I see a slight decrease in rpm's when I turn it on and the compressor kicks in? If so, then I need to wheel this thing back to the dealership, because NOTHING happens when I turn it on, except for the green light on the AC button lovingly lights up.

 

The compressor doesn't work like a conventional one. It doesn't have a clutch that engages in and out. It turns all the time. The difference is internal. It only "compresses" when it needs to. This is why there isn't much difference when it is working.

 

Indeed, there is no way to tell from inside whether or not it is running, unless you notice it getting cooler inside.

slngsht: If you suspect that the a/c might not be working, pop the hood and check the little glass window on the air conditioning line. You should see bursts of liquid (compressed refrigerant) moving through there when the a/c is on, and it should diminish once you turn the a/c off.

Here's what you're looking for: (This is on a 2006 xA so your engine compartment may be a little different)

 

Good pic of what to look for. You could also grab the A/C lines and see if they are cold or warm.

 

So, to sum this up, it is a designed feature, not an oversight or flaw. All new cars work this way.

 

i can't believe this is even a topic...
if AC goes on and you don't want it then hmmmmm...

TURN IT OFF!!!!

DUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

idiots annoy me

 

And how would you suggest turning it off?

Did you read any of this thread prior to posting. Are you annoyed with yourself?

 

I take it you are incredibly annoyed with yourself, then?

The discussion is about the automated controls in the vehicle overriding user selection via the dash controls, and running the A/C per it's programmed instructions. This is not something the user really has a choice about. Many of the climate controls in this vehicle are only taken as "suggestions" by the heating and air conditioning system. It turns the A/C on and of when IT wants to, and opens the recirculate air door according to ITS desires, etc.

Then again, the understanding and intelligence you show here matches that shown in most of your 9 other posts.

 

i have gotten responses stating that you can't turn off the AC with the defroster on. hmmm... i don't seem to have that problem. i have no problem turning it off even with the defroster on.

 

Most domestic cars (ones with a/c that is) have had this a/c-defroster link for the past 25 years or so.

Japanese manufactures have only recently (the last 10 years or so) added this feature.

Once Toyota started selling hundreds of thousands of Camrys per year in the mid to late '90's, people started complaining, in droves, about moisture on the inside of the windows on their Camrys. After investigation, Toyota found an alarming number of people who always drove with the recirculation mode on, leading to excessive moisture build-up in the cabin. They issued info to owners to select the fresh-air mode. In addtion, they encouraged owners to use the A/C with the temp adjusted to their liking on damp days.

Still, the problem persisted. So, Toyota did the only thing it could......link the A/C and defrost. Within a few years, all Toyota products included is feature.

Bottom line? We Americans just weren't smart enough to figure how to properly use our HVAC systems.

American manufactures have know this for years.

 

the a/c doesnt have much of an effect on the fuel economy of my xb.
i've been driving with the a/c on since i bought it. the last two tanks i kept it turned off to see the difference. the difference was so small that it could have been cause by idling longer with the cold mornings we've been having lately.