Anyone else never switch off their air con?

[RosscoPCole]

I never switch of the air con in my car and have never had any problems with it and it still blasts out ice cold after 6 years. Never been recharged and fuel economy doesn't seem affected compared to other people with the same car.

[davidjpowell]

It's better for the system to be left on. Having said that, if it's climate control I'm not convinced that it's always on, as opposed to the system switching it on as needed.

[RosscoPCole]

Seek said:

Does it smell?

No, why?

[Baryonyx]

I don't always have on it but I never feel bad about using it. I generally like cars to feel cool unless we're in the depths of winter. Even just a quick 5 minutes with it on can chill my Volvo to a comfortable level!

[marsred]

Not until two weeks ago, when i did switch it off.
It now doesn't work as the pressure's dropped and compressor won't kick in.
So as above, best left on.

[anonymous-user]

I don't have it permanently on but don't hesitate to use it if I want to, might as well be comfortable. Plus it's nice to have a car where it doesn't noticeably sap power from the engine.

[dowahdiddyman]

Mine`s always on and it to still blasts nice cool air after 7 years, never had to have it re-gassed or even looked at.

[ATTAK Z]

Best left on in my opinion ..... especially in a 350Z

[chris1roll]

Never ever been off in mine either.
I think the only time the windows get wound down is at toll booths!

Not had any problems so far, car is ony 2 1/2 yers old, but has done 75k in that time..

[JM]

marsred said:

Not until two weeks ago, when i did switch it off.
It now doesn't work as the pressure's dropped and compressor won't kick in.
So as above, best left on.

Makes no sense.

Either there is a problem with the switch, or it has at the same time as being switched off developed a leak (unlikely, but not impossible) unless it didn't work properly when switched "on".

It would obviously go off ever time you stopped the engine, so my first guess would be with the switch.

[chrisga]

Mine has never been turned off. Climate control though so just set at 20 degrees all year round. Car now 8 years old and never been re-gassed. Cold as anything still too.

[Zwoelf]

I've buggered mine I think by virtue of preferring to have the sunroof and front windows open most of the year round. Balls.

[Riley Blue]

Never fully off, sometimes on 'Econ' as O/H wears contact lenses and doesn't like to be blasted by chilled air.

[anonymous-user]

windows still work yes

[diddly69]

Seek said:

Does it smell?

I like that 'smell'

[Zwoelf]

diddly69 said:

Seek said:

Does it smell?

I like that 'smell'

of legionella? Yummy.

[DannyVTS]

RosscoPCole said:

I never switch of the air con in my car and have never had any problems with it and it still blasts out ice cold after 6 years. Never been recharged and fuel economy doesn't seem affected compared to other people with the same car.

How would you know if it had effected the economy if it's never off?

[RosscoPCole]

DannyVTS said:

How would you know if it had effected the economy if it's never off?

Looked on a forum for the car and asked some friends who have a non aircon version of the same model.

[Willy Nilly]

I've had my car 9 years (it's nearly 13) and I switched the AC on when I bought it and it has not been switched off since. It still blows cold and has never been touched, but I have burnt out 2 blower resisters.

My company vehicle tells me in litres per hour how much fuel it uses instant by instant. Switching in Air con on and off has no noticeable effect of fuel consumption. 2.2 litres/hour idling in the yard with the ac on, 2.2 litres hour idling in the yard with the ac off. 33 litres an hour wide open

[GaryST220]

Always on. My car is 8 years old now and the aircon is still ice cool, never had a problem.