Just want to make sure that when I use the auto setting that if the a/c light is on too it isn't an issue.

Sometimes it's on and sometimes if isn't. If I turn it off when it's on nothing noticeable changes.

AC light should be on when in Auto otherwise you won't get the full benefits of Auto.

Cheers. Need to snap out of '1.2 vauxhall engine which looses half of its power when a/c on' mode.

How does the A/C button interact with the A/C profile in the 'infotainment' unit? 'Off' in the infotainment unit turns all climate control off but you can seemingly have the three 'on' options on with or without A/C button on???

The AC switch is the one that turns the AC off. There is no reason to turn it off as it is a variable system, and if the outside air temp is below 5 degrees (i think) it is off anyway, even though the light is still on. I haven't seen my AC light go off when the system is left in AUTO unless I turn it off though.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Mine is off every time I see it come on, suchh as when re-entering Auto mode from manual. It does use fuel and, unless very steamed up, not required.

Sorry I thought you just put the Climate Control into auto, if the A/C is in use, it shows its light hence, it'll only be on some of time.

 

Regards

T

Sorry I thought you just put the Climate Control into auto, if the A/C is in use, it shows its light hence, it'll only be on some of time.

Regards

T

That's different to my understanding. AUTO mode can be enabled with AC off, or AC on. If AC is on when in AUTO then the amount of AC is controlled by the Climate Control system, from 0% to 100% depending on temperature and humidity. The AC light doesn't go out under any conditions, even if you are at 0% AC.

I may be wrong and will check tomorrow.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Mine is off every time I see it come on, suchh as when re-entering Auto mode from manual. It does use fuel and, unless very steamed up, not required.

Why by a car with Climate Control and then put the system in manual?

Do you have a thermostat for your central heating or do you just manually turn your boiler on and off?

The fuel usage argument has been done to death on here over the years, the AC system is variable, so when AC is not required to either cool the air or reduce humidity the compressor is pumping gas round the system at a low pressure, just to keep seals lubricated. This will put effectively zero additional load on the engine, your heated mirrors or even the fan in the HVAC system will be consuming more fuel. Of course, if the air is required to be cooled to maintain the set temperature, or is excessively humid, then the AC will place additional load.

Many have compared mpg with AC off and AC on across tanks of fuel, and driving style and type of journey have more effect than leaving AC enabled when in AUTO.

At the end of the day it is a Climate Control system, the whole idea is that you leave it in AUTO with AC engaged and set the required temperature. The only times over the last 4 years I have had to do anything other than that is when the front windscreen got a bit steamed up on rainy mornings, and then a quick blast on the demist setting sorts that out.

On the newer systems with the humidity sensors I haven't had the need to do that though, as when left in AUTO it senses the increased humidity and directs cooled and dried air to the windows to keep them clear.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Why by a car with Climate Control and then put the system in manual?

Do you have a thermostat for your central heating or do you just manually turn your boiler on and off?

 

Spot on Andy! I've never understood this, just leave the damn thing on or you might aswell switch the engine off and push the car everywhere too!

 

You also get the people who just switch the fans off and drive around breathing their own breath steaming the windows up.  I've been out in the pool car at work with colleagues and the first thing they do before even before starting the engine is switch the only source of ventillation off...... Crackers!

Unscientific test results as follows:

System on AUTO and AC on. Temp set to 20?.

Outside temp about 8?.

According to convenience consumers, negligible fuel consumption, about 1/64 gallon per hour.

Set system to LO, convenience consumers rises to about 1/16 gallon per hour.

Set temp back to 20? - after a few seconds convenience consumers drops back down to previous setting.

Change temp to 24? - no noticeable change in convenience consumers.

AC light remained lit at all times, even when AC was obviously in idle state.

Manually turn AC off whilst still in AUTO, no noticeable change in convenience consumers.

I rest my case :-)

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Nice little test there Andy. May have to try that myself when i get back home in 3 months!!

Although im pretty sure my convenience consumers didnt show my fuel consumption when i last checked. Is it something that has to be enabled? Surely not.

If you select the car button on the head unit and then select the view button which from memory I think is on the bottom left of the touch screen at this point you get the choice to select car data, consumables and car status. Select consumables and it tells you how much fuel per hour (litre per hour I believe) all the things like a/c or heated seats are using.