When i press Recirculation button A/C turns on.

Is there a way to disable this?

A/C doesn't need to be ON for short recurcilation periods,

It causes cold air blow suddenly, it is annoying in winter...

Fords doesn't do this.

Have you tried pressing the A/C button to turn it off ?

Just because the A/C light is on doesn't necessarily meant that the AC system is actually being pressurised by the compressor - the bypass valve could still be open.

 

It just means that the AC system is available should the climate control system deems it necessary to provide cooling or drying of the air.

 

Best bet is to leave AC on all the time anyway and let the Climate system do its job.

+1^^ Lost track of the times I've tried to explain this to the more "mature" generation of family members!..then they wonder why their windows mist up all the time when they've turned off the AC!

Yep - buy a car with dual zone climate control then try and use the heater like it was a 1959 Mini

Just because the A/C light is on doesn't necessarily meant that the AC system is actually being pressurised by the compressor - the bypass valve could still be open.

 

It just means that the AC system is available should the climate control system deems it necessary to provide cooling or drying of the air.

 

Best bet is to leave AC on all the time anyway and let the Climate system do its job.

Plus using the compressor every now and then is a good idea anyway, for the sake of lubrication.

Compressor is running all the time anyway, it isn't a clutch type, it is a variable pressure type controlled by a bypass valve. Hence why leaving it on all the time does not hammer your fuel consumption.

I've to to admit I'm going to look in to this option - ive had a mk2 vRS and now a mk3. Both cars are horrendous with steaming up which is well documented.

I have a large silica bag on the dash (from amazon) and have had the air con button switched off for around 3-4 weeks now now and there has been zero steaming up - its great. Got in the works fabia the other day and it was steamed up to the hills.

It shouldn't matter but so far in my experience it has made the world of difference - tried the silica bag on its own first and that helped but didn't cure it.

So this means that even if the AC is on in the winter, in fact it is not really working and it is not affecting the consumption?

I believe if the outside temp drops to 4 degrees C or below the compressor valve will not open to protect the compressor and AC system from frost damage. Its a bit annoying as its normally those kind of temp conditions (where its cold out but warm inside the car) that causes that kind of steaming up

So this means that even if the AC is on in the winter, in fact it is not really working and it is not affecting the consumption?

Yep - below about 5 degrees external temperature it is disabled anyway to stop the evaporator icing up

 

There is absolutely no reason to turn the AC system off really, the climate control will vary the system pressure based on cooling and dehumidifying requirements.

 

I am on my 3rd Octavia (Octy 2 and my second Octy 3) and I have never had any issues by just leaving the system in Auto with AC enabled and setting the required temperature. I set the aircon profile to medium, and every now and then up it to Strong if it looks like I might mist up, or I require a bit more heat or cooling.

I've to to admit I'm going to look in to this option - ive had a mk2 vRS and now a mk3. Both cars are horrendous with steaming up which is well documented.

I have a large silica bag on the dash (from amazon) and have had the air con button switched off for around 3-4 weeks now now and there has been zero steaming up - its great. Got in the works fabia the other day and it was steamed up to the hills.

It shouldn't matter but so far in my experience it has made the world of difference - tried the silica bag on its own first and that helped but didn't cure it.

Which is the exact opposite of what I have experienced! Never had misting issues on my Octy 2 or either of my Octy 3's.

I believe if the outside temp drops to 4 degrees C or below the compressor valve will not open to protect the compressor and AC system from frost damage. Its a bit annoying as its normally those kind of temp conditions (where its cold out but warm inside the car) that causes that kind of steaming up

Hit the demist button for a couple of minutes?

For those with winter pack, with heated front screen (early TSI owners need not apply) hitting de-mist also turns on the heating elements and it can clear a fully misted up screen in less than 20 seconds!

I leave mine in auto all the time. Have occasional misting inside but I cured that by throwing a rechargeable dehumidifier under the seat.

Mine normally mists after I've been moving trees I've cut up in the back but it soon dries up and then I'm just left with the spiders to remove

For those with winter pack, with heated front screen (early TSI owners need not apply) hitting de-mist also turns on the heating elements and it can clear a fully misted up screen in less than 20 seconds!

 

Same for late TSI's (Excluding vRS). I would love to have spec'd a heated screen but its not available, I would love to have heated windscreen washers, but I can't have these either :'( . Not really sure why though, I know he diesel has a larger capacity battery to cope with the loads of a diesel but if you could spec a higher capacity battery perhaps TSI buyers could also enjoy these safety aids. But it looks like you can have heated seats, which is rather odd me thinks :think: .

 

Glad I read this thread, I was still under the impression that using A/C would reduce mpg must be a distant memory of my 1959 Mini !!

 

Must remember to tell swmbo.......

I'm another who typically turns A/C off unless it's an unbearably hot day.

 

My understanding was A/C on meant less power and increased fuel consumption.  Is this not the way to go with climate control?

Hang on guys, 1959 Mini's had BMC slide windows in place of A/C!

I'm another who typically turns A/C off unless it's an unbearably hot day.

 

My understanding was A/C on meant less power and increased fuel consumption.  Is this not the way to go with climate control?

That's how it used to be on old systems, but it's no longer that back and white. Nowadays it's best to leave the system do its job. If you want to conserve fuel, the eco mode affects many systems to do just that, including the AC.

That's how it used to be on old systems, but it's no longer that back and white. Nowadays it's best to leave the system do its job. If you want to conserve fuel, the eco mode affects many systems to do just that, including the AC.

 

 

Was thinking more around maximising available BHP than saving a few pence to be honest....!

If I look on the fuel consumer Meter thing on the Columbus it suggest that the air con doesn't use much fuel. Not checked it when the weather is hot though

If I look on the fuel consumer Meter thing on the Columbus it suggest that the air con doesn't use much fuel. Not checked it when the weather is hot though

Less than 1/16th gallon per hour when the system is set to LO in my experience.

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Less than 1/16th gallon per hour when the system is set to LO in my experience.

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Really not worth worrying about then is it!

Exactly, the same with how much engine power it saps.

If you take this to the nth degree you will end up driving round with the radio turned off, heater fan turned off, all lights off etc etc.

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Was thinking more around maximising available BHP than saving a few pence to be honest....!

 

Even if the AC, heated screens or whatever engine load is turned on, they will all be disabled when you need the extra power.

Full Load cut-out will disable all accessories for a short time (up to around 30s) to give you the full performance when overtaking.

 

With older cars with an on-off AC compressor controlled by a relay you can hear the click when you press the pedal to the floor.

With the modern clutch driven compressors these days you probably wont notice a thing.

Edited 12 December, 201411 yr by Gabbo