I cought it few times by now, my AC sometimes turns on by itself. I only had standard ventilation set (no AC) and the AC turned on at some point. I didnt really press anything except buttons on the steering wheel, at least to my knowledge.

 

Please tlel me this is a feature, not a bug, I hate going to my dealer.

If you select the 'max to screen' button I think that also switches on the A/C?

Depending on the weather conditions this could be normal.

I believe there is a humidity sensor fitted (in the rear view mirror assembly I think) which will request AC activation to prevent misting of the windscreen.

 

Does it turn itself off after some time or is it perminantly active?

If you select the 'max to screen' button I think that also switches on the A/C?

 

What button is that?

 

Depending on the weather conditions this could be normal.

I believe there is a humidity sensor fitted (in the rear view mirror assembly I think) which will request AC activation to prevent misting of the windscreen.

 

Does it turn itself off after some time or is it perminantly active?

 

I havent left is on so far, I turned it off when it came on, I will test in the future wheter is cancels itself automatically.

Why would you want to turn A/C off in the first place on a climate control system?

 

The compressor isn't like and old fashioned clutch controlled one which is either 100% on or 0% off - it is variable, so will only use what it determines is necessary to either dehumidify or cool the car.

 

The whole idea of climate control is you set your temperature and leave it alone to do its thing.

 

If you can demonstrate a tangible fuel consumption gain by turning A/C off then please do so, as I can't tell the difference!

 

Then again, according to another thread, if the outside temperature is cooler than the temperature set on the climate control the compressor is off anyway, all to do with CO2 reduction apparently.

 

If you are trying to save fuel, set the aircon profile to minimum in the climatronic settings.

If you can demonstrate a tangible fuel consumption gain by turning A/C off then please do so, as I can't tell the difference!

 

The Megane estate I had years ago demonstrated a difference of around 5mpg depending on whether the AC was on or off.  I've never been able to show any discernible difference on my 1 series.  As you say, technology has moved on a lot, and it's far better to leave the AC on all the time, even in winter - otherwise, it just ends up smelly when you turn it on the following year.

Why would you want to turn A/C off in the first place on a climate control system?

 

 

1.  To save money

2.  If you happen to want to spend some time driving with the window down

3.  A/C can dry out skin, nostrils, etc. Some people hate it after a while

4.  Finally, if you live up here in the winter, the dry outside air already dries out your skin until it cracks open. In the spring I avoid aircon until absolutely necessary.

1.  To save money

 

Buying a car with AC and not using it is a waste of money.

What button is that?

 

 

I havent left is on so far, I turned it off when it came on, I will test in the future wheter is cancels itself automatically.

I have a MkII FL but in the manual for the MkIII that I have seen the top of the left control knob for the Climatronic is labelled 'max screen', where the 'screen' is actually a symbol. Page 101 & 104 in the manual?  I believe that this directs air to the screen and also switches on (if off) the A/C.

Why would you want to turn A/C off in the first place on a climate control system?

Sometimes, when the outside temperature are just right (not cold not warm), I feel I dont really not AC running in my car while I am driving, especially for a short route.

 

Dont know what are the differences in fuel with AC on or off, but surely there must be some and there is always a factor of AC constantly being turned on/off on short trips (not sure if this is actually a bad thing either to be honest).

But it doesn't turn on and off, and if the air is already dry it won't be running unless you need the car colder than the outside temperature anyway. As I said earlier, just because the light is on doesn't mean it is running, and you now have a humidity sensor in the mix controlling it.

It does more damage to the system not running it as seals dry out and the variable valve sticks due to lack of lubrication.

I would like you to quantify the saving money by turning it off, as in over 120k miles in Octavia II and Octavia IIIs I haven't been able to see any difference in fuel consumption, other than when it is 30 degrees outside and it is running at full pelt.

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Buying a car with AC and not using it is a waste of money.

 

Personally speaking, I agree with you. Still, I know people who would skin a fart if there was a saving to be made, and it's only fair that their opinion is heard.

Is there any way of telling when automatic recirculation is active? I have it enabled in the setup menu of the climate control but I can't figure out when it's actually recirculating.

Also driven on some roads with bad smell, didn't seem to kick in.

I think it kicks in when you engage reverse. Certainly sounds like it anyway. That might be all it's used for. Not sure how you'd get a system to detect a bad smell.

Edited 28 August, 201411 yr by SC03OTT

I think it kicks in when you engage reverse. Certainly sounds like it anyway. That might be all it's used for. Not sure how you'd get a system to detect a bad smell.

 

It kicks in on reverse and windscreen wash.  It also has air quality sensors to measure the incoming air, think it might struggle with smells though, I suspect it looking more for smog than anything.

It kicks in on reverse and windscreen wash. It also has air quality sensors to measure the incoming air, think it might struggle with smells though, I suspect it looking more for smog than anything.

Indeed I think it detects NOx and other poisonous gasses and forces recirc if the levels passing it increase beyond a predetermined limit.

The recirc on reverse and windscreen wash is also a nice touch.

Indeed I think it detects NOx and other poisonous gasses and forces recirc if the levels passing it increase beyond a predetermined limit.

The recirc on reverse and windscreen wash is also a nice touch.

 

Re-circ yes, but not on windscreen wash, I love the smell of a good alcohol based screenwash.........

Not sure how you'd get a system to detect a bad smell.

 

 

  It also has air quality sensors to measure the incoming air, think it might struggle with smells though, 

 

 

Indeed I think it detects NOx and other poisonous gasses and forces recirc if the levels passing it increase beyond a predetermined limit.

 

 

Trotts off to test Air Con by F@rting in car   :moon: