Question about AC usage in a vehicle.

[Ausm]

I live in Wisconsin and I know a person who uses his AC in his vehicle 365 days/year. For example, In the Winter when the temp is average 10-20F, he still has his AC on but just adds heat to it? It kind of boggles my mind what are your guys thoughts?

 

[ntrthamatrix]

Well, it really comes down to what his preferences are. Also with it being cold out the A/C isnt going to actually run normally anyway. Even if he didnt run it and had the defroster on the compressor still runs to remove moisture from the cabin.

 

[phreaqe]

When you turn on the defroster in your car you do realize it turns on the AC right? it dries out the air so it can take the moisture off your windows so you can see.

 

[Ausm]

When you turn on the defroster in your car you do realize it turns on the AC right? it dries out the air so it can take the moisture off your windows so you can see.

Yes, It does in my car so why would there be a need to leave in on AC??? The dude is driving around in a 2013 Car.

 

[AstroManLuca]

If your defroster is on then your AC is on. In the midwest (and many other parts of the country as well), it's hot enough in the summer to need AC to keep cool, it's humid in spring and fall so you need the defroster on, and the cold winter causes your breath to fog up the windshield as well so you need the defroster on then as well.

I don't keep mine on all the time though. I try to avoid it if possible. Depends on the weather. Sometimes there are spring/fall days that are cool and dry enough to not need it. And if it's not super cold in winter, your breath isn't a problem. It's been in the 20s and 30s lately and I haven't had to use the defroster. But when it was 0 degrees I did.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Yes, It does in my car so why would there be a need to leave in on AC??? The dude is driving around in a 2013 Car.

Is the AC button a toggle switch (with separate on and off positions) or just a button with an indicator light? My wife's car has a button with a light on it, and as soon as you switch it to defrost, the light turns on and you can't turn it off no matter how many times you push the button.

 

[MixMasterTang]

A/C stands for "Air conditioning" not "air cooling". Cars with automatic climate control will usually run the A/C all of the time to "condition" the air (regulate humidity, etc.).

 

[iamwiz82]

Most automated HVAC units run AC all the time. It conditions the air.

 

[phreaqe]

Yes, It does in my car so why would there be a need to leave in on AC??? The dude is driving around in a 2013 Car.

It will still keep the air drier and keep the windows from fogging up. i don't do it myself, but i probably should as i apparently emit a lot of humidity as car windows around me tend to fog up more then the ones around other passengers.

 

[SSSnail]

Did any one mention the conditioning of the air to regulate moisture? Just want to toss that out there.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yes, conditioning. Cabin air always needs conditioning.

I have auto climate control in my Jeep. When I push the A/C button, it says "Leave me alone, I know what to do.", and ignores me.

 

[BoomerD]

I leave the AC on in my cars almost all year. In the winter, it comes on normally with the defroster, (as has already been mentioned) and in the summer...duh.

 

[Puppies04]

what are your guys thoughts?

My thoughts are probably the same as the guy you are talking about.....

"Mind your own god damn business"

 

[franksta]

It's also good practice to not let it sit unused for a long period. I forget the details but I thought it had to do with letting the lube circulate.

 

[KDKPSJ]

My car, Infinitis (G37 until last June, EX35 since then) leave A/C on all the time if I let it Auto mode, 100F summer or 10F winter, all the time. Because, yeah, it 'conditions' air. I think the same for my BMW as well. So, unless I manually turn it off, it's on 365 days for me as well.

 

[Ryan]

I leave it on all the time also. I live near the coast w/ high humidity. Any time it's cold enough to run heat, condensation will form on the inside of my windows if I don't.

 

[imagoon]

I leave my car in auto. It runs the A/C year round (at least the light is on) but in the winter it definitely runs less. Just enough to manage the humidity I would imagine. I can force it off but I don't see any good reason to do so.

 

[nerp]

I can feel mine flick on and off depending on the humidity when left at auto. I can 'smell' the air differently. In the summer I like to just shut climate control off completely and drive with the windows down.