Automatic climate control question?

[sootyvrs]

Just curious if anyone knows when the airconditioning is activated at all times when using the Auto setting?

Does anyone know if the airconditioning automatically switches off when the set temperature is reached or does it stay switched on?

[mollytherocker]

I dont believe that any auto air con ever 'switches off'.

As temp is reached it just goes to the lowest fan setting.

MTR

[craigjm]

In auto it doesnt switch off just slows down to maintain the temperature you have set once it has reached it.

[Pugley]

What actually happens is that the electrically operated clutch on the aircon compressor flips in and out as required to maintain temp. So you could actually say that it is turning on and off.
When the cabin is cold enough no energy is being drawn from the engine so you have all that extra horsepower to drive the wheels.

[sootyvrs]

Pugley said:

What actually happens is that the electrically operated clutch on the aircon compressor flips in and out as required to maintain temp. So you could actually say that it is turning on and off.
When the cabin is cold enough no energy is being drawn from the engine so you have all that extra horsepower to drive the wheels.

This is what I was hoping to hear but does that mean the compressor is not working to dry the air when temp is already low?

Just that I dont notice that foisty smell you usually get when you manually switch off the aircon and also you dont get that usual steaming up of windows.

[Rockster]

sootyvrs said:

This is what I was hoping to hear but does that mean the compressor is not working to dry the air when temp is already low?

Just that I dont notice that foisty smell you usually get when you manually switch off the aircon and also you dont get that usual steaming up of windows.

That's not the way I understand the system works. The A/C compressor is a variable displacement pump and its displacement is adjusted -- under the auto-climate control err controller -- for the amount of cooling required along with the cabin vent fan speed and even the air flaps that direct the air flow through the heater and the evaporator and the various cabin vent outlets.

It is not unknown to under some conditions have cool air coming from the dash vents while the air from the vents under the windshield is warm.

But the overall cabin temp is at the temperature selected on the display.

Sincerely,

Rockster.