Motoring Discussion > Air con? Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Dog Replies: 128

 Air con? - Dog
I had my Lancer MOT'd at a pain dealers on Friday - passed with flying colours and no advisories :-)

(Well, it is a Mitsubishi after all)

I decided to have a £50 air conditioning service while I was there, something I've never bothered with before.

What a blimmin difference it has made - its now like COLD, even on the lowest fan setting, and it smells sooooo much sweeter now as well - money well spent IMHO.
 Air con? - Zero
Think I need mine filling, Its now 5 years old, and while COLD (8c at the vents) its not that cold and takes a while to get there.
 Air con? - ....
When the bite goes from the cold that's when I get mine done.
 Air con? - WillDeBeest
Have you had your S60 done many times, Gmac? As far as I know mine is still on its original 2002 gas, and maybe I've not noticed the gradual deterioration but it still seems to work well enough.
 Air con? - ....
Had it done a couple of years ago WDB when I had all the belts, tensioners etc... done.
I only noticed it after being in our previous C4 GP which was only a few months old and noticeably colder than the Volvo.
 Air con? - henry k
>>I decided to have a £50 air conditioning service while I was there,
>>
That seems quite a reasonable price for a main dealer.
Cheapest I have seen anywhere down souf is £35.
After all it is just connect a couple of pipes, dial in the model and come back when its finished.
Not a lot of labour involved in a simple suck n blow gas job. :-)
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 4 Jun 12 at 01:56
 Air con? - DP
I had the Scenic's done at Kwik Fit. Paid £35 on a special offer. The difference was incredible, plus you get a little printed report telling you what was recovered and added, and a list of temperatures and pressures taken before and after. Well worth the money.

 Air con? - Dog
Its also worthwhile making sure the air conditioning service includes an anti-bacterial clean - which some operators charge extra for.
 Air con? - henry k
I had my A/C fully serviced recently.
As I needed a new compressor I also had the drier changed for just a few ££s
System was then regassed and temps measured.
I watched the whole process with interest.

Not sure what the usual A/C service includes. I suspect it is PR for a regas.
Once the machine says all done thats it, so pay and go.

IIRC a can of bug cleaner is available for a DIY job.

 Air con? - Dog
>>Not sure what the usual A/C service includes. I suspect it is PR for a regas<<

This is from the Halfords site:


Book an Air Conditioning service for only £49. We offer the most extensive Air Conditioning service available which includes:
Recharging refrigerant to recommended levels
Adding fresh system oil
Check operation of air conditioning system
Full visual inspection, temperature and leak checks
Recovery of refrigerant, evacuation of air and moisture from system

In addition to the air conditioning service, we also offer an anti-bacterial clean that removes harmful bacteria that builds up in the system and on the vents. This will also remove the unpleasant odours that can sometimes be emitted from vents. This additional clean is available for only £20.
 Air con? - L'escargot
I switched mine on yesterday for the first time since about last October ~ as is my normal practice ~ and it still works a treat. It's now nine years old and it's never been serviced. My dealer recommended I don't get it serviced until it ceases to work.
 Air con? - Westpig
>> I switched mine on yesterday for the first time since about last October ~ as
>> is my normal practice ~


Don't you worry about your pipes drying out and cracking?
 Air con? - BobbyG
Well the air con in the Altea doesn't work anymore - there is a split in one of the pipes. The pipe itself is £170, including labour, regas etc the bill is going to be £350.

So I will need to live without the air con (am actually thinking it went when my gearbox cracked).

So now having to live with windows down - except drivers window has started squeaking dreadfully. A quick google tells me that this is a known fault with Seats and is a £200 repair.

Not a happy bunny in this heat I tell you!!
 Air con? - Zero
I bet your so glad I persuaded you to buy that car...
 Air con? - bathtub tom
>>drivers window has started squeaking dreadfully

I found a lollipop stick covered in clean rag and some solvent rubbed up and down the window slide followed by a very light coating of silicon(e?) lubricant worked wonders for me.
 Air con? - WillDeBeest
Silicone, Tom. Silicon is the element (Si); silica is the oxide (SiO2) that occurs as sand, quartz and various other things; silicones have a polymeric backbone of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms, with organic groups such as CH3 attached to the Si atoms. (Silicon is tetravalent, like carbon.)

They are amazing substances, especially in their heat resistance. The silicone spatulas are among the most useful items in my kitchen.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> Don't you worry about your pipes drying out and cracking?
>>

Mine or those of the aircon system? Mine seem OK and those of the aircon system I don't worry about.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> >> I switched mine on yesterday for the first time since about last October ~
>> as
>> >> is my normal practice ~
>>
>>
>> Don't you worry about your pipes drying out and cracking?
>>

Nope. I try and not worry about anything at all. What is more, I trust the advice of my dealer.
 Air con? - Dave_
>> I switched mine on yesterday for the first time since about last October ~ as is my normal practice

I only switch mine off when it's too cold outside for it to work. I've tried the same (long) journey both with and without a/c and found absolutely no difference in the car's economy, plus I like to keep the seals lubricated :)

Had a day out at the seaside yesterday, 3 1/2 hours' drive each way in mid-high 20s temperatures and we were glad to be merely roasted by the sun instead of being drenched in sweat and downing litres of water whilst lolling out of the car windows.
 Air con? - Old Navy
Mine is never turned off by me, the climate control does its own thing, no point in having the system and turning it off.
 Air con? - Lygonos
A/C used to demist and when I'm too warm on free-flowing cold.

Seals persishing through lack of use is probably largely rubbish.
 Air con? - nice but dim
I'm getting jealous of all this air con talk. I'm thinking of getting mine done at a place like H******** or such like for £50. The problem is that I've had the car for 18 months and the previous owner had not used it for several years and the compressor does not fire up. The light comes on but doesn't turn, I heard that some systems shut down the compressor if the gas level is low. I'm worried that if it does fire up the might seize the engine??

D'ya think it's worth it? I'm prepared to blow the £50 if required.

** OK so it wont let me put another way if saying Halfords! **
Last edited by: nice but dim on Mon 28 May 12 at 20:26
 Air con? - Dave_
>> I'm worried that if it does fire up the might seize the engine??

No chance - if the compressor is seized solid (unlikely) then you'll just get a squealing drivebelt like every car had in't olden days.

>> I'm prepared to blow the £50 if required

Take it to Kwik Fit. They're charging £45 this year and if their machine detects any problems or leaks, or if the air doesn't come out colder after a successful recharge, they don't charge you a penny.

I had mine done 3 weeks ago as it was starting to take a few minutes to get down to temperature. Now it cools down in 10 seconds from start-up, best 45 quid I've spent since I got the car.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Mon 28 May 12 at 20:46
 Air con? - Dog
They'll also offer a de-bug to clear bacterial build up from within the system, which will remove any nasty niffs - at extra cost.

www.kwik-fit.com/about-air-conditioning.asp
 Air con? - nice but dim
Thanks, I'm thinking I should get a price for a nitrogen dye leak detection.
 Air con? - Number_Cruncher
If the system has no gas in it, you'll need a new receiver/dryer (the dessicant will be saturated now) as well as finding and fixing the leak.
 Air con? - nice but dim
>> If the system has no gas in it, you'll need a new receiver/dryer (the dessicant
>> will be saturated now) as well as finding and fixing the leak.
>>
>>

That's my worry, I would spend £50 to know that the system is leak free and the compressor works. If it did, that i would spend extra replacing any other items required.
 Air con? - nice but dim
There's a place round the corner from me called Imperial Cooling which stock one of the dryers for £28 for my car.
 Air con? - henry k
>> If the system has no gas in it, you'll need a new receiver/dryer (the dessicant
>> will be saturated now) as well as finding and fixing the leak.
>>
I had a new one fitted when my compressor was replaced so simple to do with the system not sealed.
Mondeo compressor was about £200 and dryer about £10 plus a regas & test by proper A/c mobile company. Well pleased with the service and job.pu.
 Air con? - Old Navy
>> Thanks, I'm thinking I should get a price for a nitrogen dye leak detection.
>>

The automatic regas machines do a leak test, they degas, vacuum test the system, and if it is leak free do the regas. It will not regas a system with a leak.
 Air con? - henry k
www.kwik-fit.com/about-air-conditioning.asp

A good sales pitch but many find that every two years is often a load of tosh.
My daughters Yaris is 12 years old and the A/c is still pretty good.
 Air con? - Dog
>>A good sales pitch but many find that every two years is often a load of tosh.
My daughters Yaris is 12 years old and the A/c is still pretty good<<

I've never bothered before as I say but, I can only speak as I find and my air-con was much colder after being serviced, and being I had the anti-bacterial clean up as well - all for 50 sqids BTW, the air is almost as sweet as me ;)
 Air con? - henry k
>......the compressor does not fire up. The light comes on but doesn't
>> turn, I heard that some systems shut down the compressor if the gas level is
>> low.
It might just be the clutch on the compressor or its relay?

>>I heard that some systems shut down the compressor if the gas level is low.
That sounds familiar.

>> D'ya think it's worth it? I'm prepared to blow the £50 if required.
>>
The system might be leak proof but problems elsewhere.

I think only A/C guys put the dye in the system so that they can search for the leak with a U/V lamp.

What area are you in?
 Air con? - nice but dim
Rotherham S Yorks
 Air con? - henry k
Some car A/C guys around the coutry.
www.ac4cars.co.uk/12.html#outarea

This is the guy who sorted out my Mondeo.
Although he is mobile, I am out of his normal area so I went to his home to have things sorted.

Loads of info and his prices to give you some idea of possible costs..#
 Air con? - Dave_
>> It might just be the clutch on the compressor or its relay?

When I first bought my Escort a few years ago the compressor wouldn't start although the a/c light came on in the switch. Problem was a corroded multiplug on the compressor; stripped it back, crimped some new spade terminals on and hey presto. It's always worth trying the easy things first.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> A/C used to demist and when I'm too warm on free-flowing cold.

My car's electrically heated windscreen clears the screen in seconds.

>> Seals persishing through lack of use is probably largely rubbish.

I couldn't have put it better myself.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> ............ plus I like to keep the seals lubricated :)

I leave it to the nearby seal sanctuary to lubricate the seals.
:-)
Last edited by: L'escargot on Tue 29 May 12 at 07:55
 Air con? - Oldgit
What strange cavalier attitiudes some poster have regarding their cars and their operation. A sort of boastfulness disregard for things - can't understand it, myself.
 Air con? - Old Navy
>> What strange cavalier attitiudes some poster have regarding their cars and their operation. A sort
>> of boastfulness disregard for things - can't understand it, myself.
>>

Obviously more money than sense. Or a seven year warranty. :-)
 Air con? - L'escargot
My car's Owner's Guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not needed (which for me is about October to April) and I'm happy to accept that the manufacturer is the definitive authority on the subject.

I use the aircon to cool and the heater to heat, and I use the electrical screen heaters to keep the screens free of mist.

Incidentally, cars' air conditioning systems shouldn't be called air conditioners. Air conditioning systems condition the air and that means regulating both the temperature and the humidity. tinyurl.com/c6ouylo Car systems don't regulate the humidity, they just reduce it randomly.
 Air con? - Old Navy
>> Incidentally, cars' air conditioning systems shouldn't be called air conditioners. Air conditioning systems condition the
>> air and that means regulating both the temperature and the humidity. tinyurl.com/c6ouylo Car systems
>> don't regulate the humidity, they just reduce it randomly.
>>

My cars climate control system has an internal humidity sensor among many others, is it fitted as an ornament?
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> .......... has an internal humidity sensor among many others, is it
>> fitted as an ornament?

You tell me. Does it look ornamental?
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> My cars climate control system has an internal humidity sensor among many others, is it
>> fitted as an ornament?

If the humidity inside the car is lower than the set figure, does the system inject moisture to bring the humidity back up? If it was real air conditioning it would.
 Air con? - henry k
>>My car's Owner's Guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not needed (which for me is about October to April)
>> and I'm happy to accept that the manufacturer is the definitive authority on the subject.

>>
My manufacturer says
"It is recommended that the air conditioning is used in all climatic conditions throughout the year, even when warm airflow is required.

So - I'm happy to accept that the manufacturer is the definitive authority on the subject. :-)
 Air con? - John H
It seems to me that Lescargot has bog standard Ford AirCon in his car whereas Henry and ON have superior climate control in theirs.

 Air con? - L'escargot
>> It seems to me that L'escargot has bog standard Ford AirCon in his car .................

It has so called "climate control".

 Air con? - L'escargot
>> My manufacturer says
>> "It is recommended that the air conditioning is used in all climatic conditions throughout the
>> year, even when warm airflow is required.
>>
>> So - I'm happy to accept that the manufacturer is the definitive authority on the
>> subject.

I accept that your car's manufacturer recommends differently from what mine does.
 Air con? - Dog
>>What strange cavalier attitiudes some poster have regarding their cars and their operation. A sort of boastfulness disregard for things - can't understand it, myself<<

Probably the self same people who never change the oil in their lawnmowers, or have their central heating boilers serviced.

:)
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> Probably the self same people who never change the oil in their lawnmowers, or have
>> their central heating boilers serviced.

I change my mower's oil every year. My central heating boiler is on a service contract, and it gets serviced every year. What I don't do is ignore my car's Owner's Guide which recommends switching off the aircon when it's not needed.
 Air con? - VxFan
I leave my climate control on all year round.

Car is coming up to 6 years old. Still blows icy cold when needed. Never had any nasty wiffs or smells from the system either. From passengers however is another story.

L'escargot, I think I've asked this before, but forgot the answer. Does your AC come on automatically when you divert the air flow to the windscreen? All our Focus's at work do so, regardless whether they've got heated screens or not. So maybe your AC does get used in winter without you knowing.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 29 May 12 at 10:25
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> I leave my climate control on all year round.

VxFan, I guess that the Fan of your Vx is on all the year round.
:-)
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> L'escargot, .......... Does your AC come
>> on automatically when you divert the air flow to the windscreen?

Only if I press the appropriate button. I can have all air to screen without aircon, which is my preferred mode. If I press the other button the fan speed has a mind of its own, and invariably I get a howling gale.
 Air con? - DP
Every car I've ever had with air-con / climate seems to need the A/C on to demist effectively in cold or damp conditions.

I use mine all year round, albeit only for demisting purposes in winter.

Don't understand the comparisons between maintenance of a high value, critical piece of equipment, on whose safety and integrity the lives of loved ones depend, such as car, and a cheap, disposable item like a low end petrol lawnmower :-)
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> Every car I've ever had with air-con / climate seems to need the A/C on
>> to demist effectively in cold or damp conditions.

Presumably you've never had a car which had an electrically heated windscreen. Having had one on three cars, I now wouldn't buy a car which didn't have one.
 Air con? - DP
Yes I had a mk1 Focus, so equipped. Brilliant invention.

But the windscreen is only one of six pieces of glass in the car that need to be kept clear in order to drive safely. To do this, air-conditioning is the only solution.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> Don't understand the comparisons between maintenance of a high value, critical piece of equipment, on
>> whose safety and integrity the lives of loved ones depend, such as car, and a
>> cheap, disposable item like a low end petrol lawnmower :-)
>>

My electric-starting variable speed self-propelled Husqvarna LC48VE lawnmower is worth more than my car! tinyurl.com/8yvtjkz
 Air con? - Clk Sec
>> My electric-starting variable speed self-propelled Husqvarna LC48VE lawnmower is worth more than my car!

And it doesn't even have air conditioning...
 Air con? - RichardW
Mk1 Focus turns on the AC if the direction is set to the screen - but it doesn't turn the light on on the AC button. Engine cooling fan will be running if it is on. Confused me as to why the outside of the screen misted up on damp mornings till I figured it out.....
 Air con? - Focusless
>> Mk1 Focus turns on the AC if the direction is set to the screen -
>> but it doesn't turn the light on on the AC button.

You learn something new every day - thanks!
 Air con? - Bromptonaut
>> L'escargot, I think I've asked this before, but forgot the answer. Does your AC come
>> on automatically when you divert the air flow to the windscreen?

My Xantia also does that though the handbook implies otherwise. I thought it was a fault at first!!
 Air con? - DP
>> L'escargot, I think I've asked this before, but forgot the answer. Does your AC come
>> on automatically when you divert the air flow to the windscreen?

It does in the mk1 Focus with standard A/C (mine didn't have climate), but I have yet to find a climate control system on any car that didn't engage the A/C automatically when you set it to demist.
 Air con? - John H
Ford Focus 2008 RHD manual

page 13: "Quick Start - Automatic climate control
Recommended settings: AUTO, 22ºC"

page 99: "Windscreen defrosting and demisting
Press the windscreen defrosting and demisting button. Outside air will flow into the vehicle. Air conditioning is automatically selected. As long as the air distribution is set to this position, you cannot select recirculated air."

page 100: "Heated windows
Use the heated windows to defrost or demist the windscreen or rear window"
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> Ford Focus 2008 RHD manual

Mine is July 2003.
 Air con? - John H
>> L'escargot, I think I've asked this before,
>>

www.car4play.com/forum/post/?t=6368

 Air con? - Old Navy
Anyone still got their snow tyres on?
 Air con? - NortonES2
We still have winter tyres on the Jazz. SWMBO doesn't want to switch them round as it is intended to be sold on - with a spare set of summer tyres. Don't think we need to worry too much - we live at 1000' :) and the Nokians we have are sold as all-weather in some markets. Not all that good on hard packed ice but they are in their third year of use. Never seen anyone with "snow" tyres though: think they are a cold climate option?
 Air con? - bathtub tom
IIRC the owner's handbook for my old '99 Focus stated the A/C should be switched on for at least ten minutes every couple of weeks.
 Air con? - Dog
My Nokian WR G2's are still on, I only did 5000 miles last year so they're staying put.

They are all-weather-4-season jobbies rather than Bernie Winters though.
 Air con? - R.P.
I leave mine on all year, adjust heating to the ambient. Keeps the humidity dry as well preventing misting and keeps all the bits from seizing.
 Air con? - Bromptonaut
>> I leave mine on all year, adjust heating to the ambient. Keeps the humidity dry
>> as well preventing misting and keeps all the bits from seizing.

+1.

In the Xantia sorting out H&V and setting radio & lights helps fill the time while the hydropneumatics are sorting themselves out!!
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> >> L'escargot, I think I've asked this before,
>>
>> www.car4play.com/forum/post/?t=6368

I think that thread should be included in this thread, so that I don't have to keep repeating myself!
 Air con? - John H
Les,

1. Are you certain that your system is "climate control" meaning it is fully automatic air-con, and not manually controlled air-con?

2. If it is CC, what temperature do you set it at?

3. Do you keep the temperature constant at one set point or do you vary it? (If you do the latter, by how much?)

 Air con? - L'escargot
>> L'es,
>>
>> 1. Are you certain that your system is "climate control" meaning it is fully automatic
>> air-con, and not manually controlled air-con?

That's what the Owner's Guide says it is, so yes I'm certain.

>> 2. If it is CC, what temperature do you set it at?

I don't use it as climate control. I use it as manually controlled aircon. The system allows me that option, and I take it. I'm in control, not the climate control system.

>> 3. Do you keep the temperature constant at one set point or do you vary
>> it? (If you do the latter, by how much?)

See answer to question 2.
 Air con? - John H
>> I don't use it as climate control. I use it as manually controlled aircon. >>

No wonder.

Finally we know why your CC is not working - you won't allow it to! As I thought all along, you are using a manual air-con system.

Trust the manufacturer's auto-air-con CC design to work, test it, try it for a week or two, and then complain here if it does not work.

 Air con? - L'escargot
>> Finally we know why your CC is not working - you won't allow it to!
>> As I thought all along, you are using a manual air-con system.
>>
>> Trust the manufacturer's auto-air-con CC design to work, test it, try it for a week
>> or two, and then complain here if it does not work.

It's my choice to uise it manually, and nothing anyone can say will make me change my method of using it. It's my choice. I tried it years ago in climate control mode and it works. I've never complained, and never will, that it doesn't work in climate control mode. The only thing I don't like about using it in any mode when the weather is cool is that when I turn it off the windows steam up for several journeys afterwards.
 Air con? - Zero

>> The only thing I don't like about using it in
>> any mode when the weather is cool is that when I turn it off the
>> windows steam up for several journeys afterwards.

Don't turn it off then. There problem sorted, glad we could help
 Air con? - Dog
>>The only thing I don't like about using it in any mode when the weather is cool is that when I turn it off the windows steam up for several journeys afterwards<<

That situation would most likely improve if you have the system serviced plus an anti-bacterial clean.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> >>The only thing I don't like about using it in any mode when the weather
>> is cool is that when I turn it off the windows steam up for several
>> journeys afterwards<<
>>
>> That situation would most likely improve if you have the system serviced plus an anti-bacterial
>> clean.
>>

No, it happens because not all of the condensate drains from the system when it's switched off. There will inevitably always be some residual moisture which takes a time to evaporate, and with airflow through the unit the moisture will come back into the car.
 Air con? - VxFan
>> No, it happens because not all of the condensate drains from the system when it's
>> switched off. There will inevitably always be some residual moisture which takes a time >> to evaporate, and with airflow through the unit the moisture will come back into the car.

I don't get any of that at all. But then again I leave the climate control switched on all year round. Perhaps that's the reason why.
 Air con? - Bromptonaut
>> >> to evaporate, and with airflow through the unit the moisture will come back into
>> the car.
>>
>> I don't get any of that at all. But then again I leave the climate
>> control switched on all year round. Perhaps that's the reason why.

That's exactly what happens with the bog standard A/C in my Xantia if it's left for a less than 12hours. If the outside air is cold enough there will be a brief mist up as the aircon starts buts it's gone agin in seconds.
 Air con? - Clk Sec
>> I don't get any of that at all. But then again I leave the climate
>> control switched on all year round. Perhaps that's the reason why.

I don't get any of that, either. But then again, the AC on my (nearly) 10 year old barge has never been switched off.
 Air con? - Dog
>>I don't get any of that, either. But then again, the AC on my (nearly) 10 year old barge has never been switched off<<

Eh, can I throw a spanner in the works here and say *you-are-wasting fuel/energy* = ££.
 Air con? - Clk Sec
>> Eh, can I throw a spanner in the works here and say *you-are-wasting fuel/energy* =
>> ££.

It would be pennies rather than pounds in my case. I do spend rather a lot of money on shoe leather, though!
 Air con? - VxFan
>> Eh, can I throw a spanner in the works here and say *you-are-wasting fuel/energy* = ££.

Makes no difference with mine on or off. The mpg is still the same. Plus modern AC systems aren't so power hungry as older systems. That said though, I got better mpg from my old Cavalier Diplomat with the AC switched on than when it was switched off.
 Air con? - Dog
>>Makes no difference with mine on or off. The mpg is still the same. Plus modern AC systems aren't so power hungry as older systems<<

Anything that puts a load on the engine will will have to be paid for, but whether its £'s or P's p.a. I know not.

It will also effect cranking voltage, unless modern systems cut out heated windscreens / air conditioning units etc..
 Air con? - Focusless
Paper from the USA here: www.nrel.gov/docs/fy00osti/28960.pdf

'The power necessary to operate a vehicle air-conditioning compressor is significant - it can be greater than the engine power required to move a mid-sized vehicle at a constant speed of 56 km/h (35 mph). A 400-W load on a conventional engine can decrease the fuel economy by about 0.4 km/L (1 mpg).'

Looks like it's saying they can use a 'lot' of power, but that the effect on mpg might not be noticeable.
Last edited by: Focus on Wed 30 May 12 at 13:43
 Air con? - Dog
>>Looks like it's saying they can use a 'lot' of power, but that the effect on mpg might not be noticeable<<

I suppose I may be like L'escargot in as much as I wouldn't switch on my aircon until it was required.
Even if it was climate control.
 Air con? - VxFan
>> It will also effect cranking voltage, unless modern systems cut out heated windscreens / >> air conditioning units etc..

The AC compessor won't engage until the engine is running due to the electromagnetic clutch. Both my heated rear screen and blower fan won't operate until the engine is running either.
 Air con? - Dog
>>The AC compessor won't engage until the engine is running due to the electromagnetic clutch. Both my heated rear screen and blower fan won't operate until the engine is running either<<

I take that 'on board' guvnor!

:)
 Air con? - RichardW
It will be attempting to control the climate regardless of whether you have the AC on or not - it will be trying to achieve the set temperature by regulating the hot / cold air flows - if the AC is not on and set temp is below inlet temp then it will not achieve, but it will be trying.

Took me ages to convince SWMBO in our first Xantia with CC that turning the heat up to full from a cold start didn't make a blind bit of difference to the rate it heated up, and then you just had to turn it down when it overshot as you had dialled in (well slid in, in the case of the Xantia) too high a temperature.

In the Xantia, AC is always switched on, and CC usually set to about 21 in winter and 18 in Summer. Works fine, and I rarely adjust it - save for putting it up to screen if it is misted up.
 Air con? - VxFan
>> Took me ages to convince SWMBO in our first Xantia with CC that turning the
>> heat up to full from a cold start

I've never understood why people do that (regardless they have CC or not). By turning on the heater to full blast while the engine is still cold just makes the engine take longer to get up to temperature. It's far better to put the heater on a couple of miles down the road once the engine has warmed up a bit.

>> I rarely adjust it - save for putting it up to screen if it is misted up.

I have a button on the dash that overides the default airflow direction and sends it directly to the screen, whilst also putting the blower fan up to full speed.
 Air con? - Mapmaker
>>Took me ages to convince SWMBO in our first Xantia with CC that turning the heat up to full from a cold start didn't make a blind bit of difference to the rate it heated up,

But I think she is right? Whilst the body of the car is in the process of heating up it - ice cold seats etc - then they will heat up more quickly if the air is coming out of the vents at 25 than at 20.
 Air con? - WillDeBeest
But I think she is right. Whilst the body of the car is in the process of heating up it - ice cold seats etc - then they will heat up more quickly if the air is coming out of the vents at 25 than at 20.

No she isn't; that's not what happens. My Volvo's manual is very clear on this. If you set the dial to 20'C, the air doesn't come out at 20'C but at whatever temperature the computer calculates is required to achieve 20'C. In any case, when the car - and hence the engine - is cold, the temperature at the vents will be governed by the amount of waste heat available. Setting the knob to Max (or Min if the car's been in the sun all afternoon) will not get you any sooner to the temperature you want.
 Air con? - VxFan
>> I don't use it as climate control. I use it as manually controlled aircon.

What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits your needs?

Do you have an automatic kettle but wait by it to switch it off manually?
If you ever record anything with your VCR / PVR, etc, do you do it manually or rely on the timer?
When listening to music, do you let it automatically move on to the next track, or do you do it manually?
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits your
>> needs?

I chose the car I wanted and it came with climate control as standard. I didn't pay extra for it. I wanted aircon but I wouldn't have been bothered if it had been manual. The car also has the facility to turn off the traction control, but I've only ever done that once just to check that it worked. The radio has certain functions that I never use. The interior lights have certain functions that I never use. The headlights have a levelling control which, once I'd set it to my requirements, I never alter. There are other things I don't use or alter once adjusted to my requirements ~ electrically operated seat height adjustment for instance I chose the car because it has the items of the specification that I do want. I couldn't get that model without the things which I don't use. I'm happy with that situation.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Wed 30 May 12 at 07:51
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits your
>> needs?

The sun visors both have a mirror and a light on the back which never get used. I'd have liked to have had electrically operated sun visors but unfortunately they weren't available.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits your
>> needs?

The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable, but once I'd got them set the electrical adjustment feature doesn't get used.
 Air con? - BiggerBadderDave
"The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable, but once I'd got them set the electrical adjustment feature doesn't get used."

I shrink a couple of cms by the end of the day (and stretch every morning) and adjust mirrors by pressing a button. The feature gets used every day.

Occasionally adjust the mirrors as I watch a hot chick walking behind the car.
 Air con? - Auntie Lockbrakes
Only a couple of cms, eh BBD? ;-)
 Air con? - BiggerBadderDave
Girth Nick...
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits your
>> needs?

My garage has an inspection pit which never gets used. I expect you'll say that I should have chosen a property which didn't have an inspection pit.
 Air con? - Old Navy
I suspect that all these new fangled automatic systems are a bit beyond some people. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Wed 30 May 12 at 09:01
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> I suspect that all these new fangled automatic systems are a bit beyond some peoples
>> comprehension. :-)
>>

The inspection pit doesn't have an automatic system. However, the garage door is electrically operated and I use it every time I drive my car in and out of the garage.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> >> What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits
>> your
>> >> needs?
>>
>> My garage has an inspection pit which never gets used.

I think I'll put in my will that I want it to be my final resting place!
 Air con? - VxFan
>> My garage has an inspection pit which never gets used.

Perhaps you should to check the AC drain hole under the car isn't blocked, which could be the cause of the condensated windows when you go to use it.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits your
>> needs?

The electrically operated windows of my car can be made to close automatically when the doors are locked but I never bother about using that feature.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Wed 30 May 12 at 09:10
 Air con? - Zero
What you really need is a delorian, with a working flux capacitor. Set the dial back to 1959.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> What you really need is a delorian, with a working flux capacitor. Set the dial
>> back to 1959.
>>

My Lambo is AWS5UM enough for me.
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> What is the point in having climate control if bog standard air con suits your
>> needs?

It's got an electrically operated horn, but I only use it just before MOT time to check that it still works.
 Air con? - Pat
Good for you L'es, any other time you just stick your head out of the window and shout! Why ever would you need a horn anyway, horns are for wimps who can't put their money where their moth is....now leave him alone:)

Pat
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> .... now leave him alone:)
>>
>> Pat
>>

Don't say that Pat. I like to be the centre of attention.
 Air con? - Bromptonaut
>> Good for you L'es, any other time you just stick your head out of the
>> window and shout! Why ever would you need a horn anyway, horns are for wimps
>> who can't put their money where their moth is....now leave him alone:)
>>
>> Pat

Is that a butterfly minds thing??
 Air con? - Pat
Typed in a hurry while on the way out into the garden;)

Pat
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> ..... horns are for wimps ......

Horns are mostly used to express the driver's annoyance, not to make others aware of their presence.
 Air con? - Old Navy
L'es, you can test your aircon by putting it on full cold, fan on max, recirc off, air directed to the dash vents, and car windows open. This loads the system as it is trying to aircon the UK. Then put a thermometer in the center dash air vent it should read at least 10c below ambient and about 5c if the system is working well.
 Air con? - Oldgit
Sounds like L'escargot should be French for Ostrich rather than a snail.

Still it takes all types to make this world go round. Despite my age, however, I am not of the Ostrich way of thinking as i try, sometimes with difficulty, to embrace everyything new but do come up against those who are so vociferous in their views about such things.

Unfairly, I suppose, I feel sorry for them in my own caring, sharing way!
 Air con? - L'escargot
>> Sounds like L'escargot should be French for Ostrich rather than a snail.

Sacré bleu et zut alors! You rosbifs know nothing!
:-D
Last edited by: L'escargot on Wed 30 May 12 at 17:16
 Air con? - Old Navy
I feel neglected, I have not been harassed, or warned of the damage I must be doing to my car, my self, passengers, the environment, and my wallet in fuel costs by running my climate control system in full auto with the aircon on at all times. Thats right I never turn my aircon off! :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Wed 30 May 12 at 19:21
 Air con? - Armel Coussine
ON, you are wasting fuel, shortening your car's life and doing untold damage to the ozone layer, while boasting about your ill-gotten wealth.

If there was any justice you would be keel-hauled three times in succession before kissing the gunner's daughter.
 Air con? - Old Navy
Ah, thats better, a little mild abuse goes a long way. :-)

Not sure about the keel hauling, that was a death sentence.
 Air con? - Armel Coussine
>> keel hauling, that was a death sentence.

I'm sure it was, for many, in those non-swimming days. But a large, robust seaman with the ability to hold his breath for a long time could survive I believe.

The worst thing must have been the barnacles. The resultant bleeding could, in certain waters, attract sharks.
 Air con? - Old Navy
Remember that keel hauling was being dragged along the length of the keel (ship) and not a quick dip down one side and up the other. The practicalities of passing the ropes attached to the victims arms and legs around all the obstructions along the each side of the ship would make it a long process and the barnacles would tear you to pieces but you would drown anyway.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Wed 30 May 12 at 20:30
 Air con? - Armel Coussine
>> keel hauling was being dragged along the length of the keel (ship) and not a quick dip down one side and up the other.

I'm not sure you are right there ON. I think keel hauling was across the beam. The whole length of the vessel, if you think about it, would have been difficult to do and the victim might easily have come up on one side or the other.

With a line-of-battle ship, keel hauling wouldn't have been all that quick a dip. But the speed would have been controlled by the matelots doing the hauling. Usually they would not have wanted to kill the person being punished. It was an extremely severe physical punishment that as you suggest must quite often have resulted in death anyway.
 Air con? - Focusless
According to this it can be either:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keelhauling
 Air con? - Old Navy
>> According to this it can be either:
>> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keelhauling
>>

I must admit that I thought it could be either, but did not realise it was Dutchies mob that came up with the punishment, I thought it was a pirate passtime. So not too far removed from the RN.

Definately glad it was before my time, (just). :-)

Is this the record for thread drift?
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 31 May 12 at 08:38
 Air con? - Zero
>> Ah, thats better, a little mild abuse goes a long way. :-)
>>
>> Not sure about the keel hauling, that was a death sentence.

You only joined the Andrew for rum, the lash and sodomy.
 Air con? - Ateca chris
Dog inspired me to get the 6 checked after he started this thread back in may finally
got around to it today at kwik fit what a difference. only owned the car since march and thought it was working fine always keep the climate control on but now when i switch
to a/c it is instant cold not 5 mins.Guy who did it said there was 220grams of refrigerant in the system when there should be 500g and there is no leaks.Cost £49 well worth it.
Last edited by: mazda chris on Sat 30 Jun 12 at 21:19
 Air con? - Dog
Ere, don't laugh ... I've only needed to use my aircon once since I had it serviced!

:)
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