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Every year when the weather gets warmer I try out my car's aircon, but I never know how to tell whether it's working to specification. What's the answer?
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I think most aircons are designed to cool the outlet air from the dash air vents down to around 5C went set to cold with the fan on full, at an external temperature of 30C ish. That's what I recall from some Vauxhall service disk at some point anyway.
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Put it on the coldest setting, with air directed to the dashboard vents, and poke a temperature probe down the vent (e.g. a thermocouple attached to a multimeter goo.gl/NQkLl )
The air con should achieve c. 8 degrees C or lower if it's working - from memory. I think mine got down to about 5 when I checked it once.
Last edited by: Manatee on Sat 14 May 11 at 16:48
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Having the A/C re-gassed every couple of years is usually the key advice.
When my last car, a Bora, was re-gassed in the middle of last year, it froze up the driver and front passenger door windows when tested afterwards...:-)
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>> poke a temperature probe down the vent (e.g. a thermocouple attached to a multimeter
My multimeter (a 20 quid Maplin one) has a °C setting, which seems to come up with room temperature whenever I try it - is it doing this by some sort of resistance measurement through the probes, or should I be connecting something else to it?
(The last time I used it was when trying Bellboy's brake fluid condition test!)
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Some meters are supplied with a thermocouple - on a single wire with heat resistant wrapping and you'd know if you had one.
You can see the thermocouple in this picture
goo.gl/Q7N25
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>> Every year when the weather gets warmer I try out my car's aircon, but I never know how to tell whether it's working to specification.
Probably not up to spec if you only use it once in a blue moon. You're meant to run it up regularly (yes, even in winter) so that the oil inside the system lubricates the rubber seals to help prevent them from drying out and leaking.
Yes, I know you've previously mentioned you're reluctant to use it in winter because the windows condensate up, but it's a small price to pay instead of a larger one to have the AC system serviced more often.
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>>I know you've previously mentioned you're reluctant to use it in winter because the windows condensate up
Shirley, the opposite should be the case? Unless the use is so infrequent that there is damp in the system. The air conditioner dryer should keep the windows clear.
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>> >>I know you've previously mentioned you're reluctant to use it in winter because the windows
>> condensate up
>>
>> Shirley, the opposite should be the case? Unless the use is so infrequent that there
>> is damp in the system. The air conditioner dryer should keep the windows clear.
>>
Absolutely correct. I use mine most of the winter on very damp days, especially, as this stops the interior window surfaces misting up. Of course the temperature control is adjusted, on my semi-automatic aircon system, to keep the cabin nice and warm and dry - I hardly ever have to use the heated rear window.
I'm always amazed at the ignorance shown by people when it comes to how to get the best from their car and proper use of the facilities given to them by the manufacturers.
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It's amazing how many drivers think A/C is only for cooling a vehicle's interior...:-)
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It's only in vehicles with aircon that i get any interior misting problems.
Overrated fad.
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>> It's only in vehicles with aircon that i get any interior misting problems.
>>
>> Overrated fad.
>>
I agree with your first point regarding the systems causing misting but disagree with 'overrated fad'. I could not drive a car, now, with my low tolerance of humidity, unless my car had Air Conditioning. Try buying a new car, now, without Aircon alhough some very base models do.
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>> Absolutely correct. I use mine most of the winter on very damp days, especially, as
>> this stops the interior window surfaces misting up. Of course the temperature control is adjusted,
>> on my semi-automatic aircon system, to keep the cabin nice and warm and dry -
Good post!
This is why we shouldn't keep calling it "air con", but rather use the manufacturers term: "Climate control".
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>> the manufacturers term: "Climate control"
I thought that "aircon" and "climate control" in manufacturer-speak were two separate things. the difference being that the latter has automatic cabin temperature stabilisation by use of a thermostat, whereas the former simply chills and dries the air going into the car's heater.
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>> >> the manufacturers term: "Climate control"
>>
>> I thought that "aircon" and "climate control" in manufacturer-speak were two separate things. the difference
>> being that the latter has automatic cabin temperature stabilisation by use of a thermostat, whereas
>> the former simply chills and dries the air going into the car's heater.
>>
That's always been my understanding, although I'm not sure if it's a universal definition. There's also variations like 'electronic air conditioning'
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I've never had a car with only manual aircon until this one, and it's a PITA getting the cabin temperature right on a sunny day. I used to have a Pug 406 with climate control, and dad's C270 has climate as well - both are "set and forget" systems. I gather it's possible to buy (from a scrappy) a Mondeo climate control switch panel to replace the heater controls, a sunlight sensor and a cabin temp sensor for about £80 all in - plug and play Climate control apparently. Might try it.
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My Nissan's got climate control, It's a PITA.
A comfortable setting in cold weather's around 21C, but that's far too cold for warmer weather when 25C's about right.
This time of year is nearly impossible to find a happy compromise.
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The minimum I can set my Seat climate control to is 15 degrees C.
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The Pug had "Lo" then 18°C through to about 29°C, then "Hi". I left it on 21°C all year round, apart from the heatwave in (I think) July 2006 when I turned it down to 18°C - the outside temperature then reached 20°C by 8am, 30°C at 10am and a brief peak of 40°C whilst dropping off at Heathrow T2 around 2.30pm. I was out of the car and back in again in about 15 seconds, and still ended up dripping with sweat in that short time.
>> thermocouple ... you'd know if you had one
I haven't :( I'll try sticking the probes in the Mondeo's air vents and see what comes up.
Incidentally, I had the snowflake light come on coming home from work last night - lowest temperature reached in NW Leics overnight was 3.1°C!
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Sat 14 May 11 at 23:01
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>>Incidentally, I had the snowflake light come on coming home from work last night - lowest temperature reached in NW Leics overnight was 3.1°C!>>
The snowflake light should come on when the temperature drops to four or five degrees C.
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>> The snowflake light should come on when the temperature drops to four or five degrees
>> C.
On Renaults, the snowflake comes on at 3c, on VW it comes on at 4c. It varies by maker.
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>>>> thermocouple ... you'd know if you had one
>> I haven't :(
If your meter is Maplin's £19.99 wonder - Order Code: N73CG their Q and A says this:
Q) Does this have need external probe for temperature measurement and is this included with the DMM?
A) this DMM comes with a temp probe.
Perhaps it's time to RTFM :)
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>> My Nissan's got climate control, It's a PITA.
>>
>> A comfortable setting in cold weather's around 21C, but that's far too cold for warmer
>> weather when 25C's about right.
>>
>> This time of year is nearly impossible to find a happy compromise.
>>
I have electronic climate control. I set mine at 20 or 21 in hot weather, and 21 or 22 in cold weather. It on on permanently. There is never a hint of misting/condensation. Never have had to top up the gas either.
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>> Never had to top up the gas either.
Done that once on the 406 at a garage and once on the Escort at home with an aerosol can. Dad's Merc has never needed a topup in B years and 90k :)
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... plug and play Climate control apparently. Might try it...
Wouldn't bother - from what a couple of owners have told me.
The auto function is OK, but the manual controls are not as direct.
A lot of drivers prefer to give it full manual defrost in the morning, followed by full heat for the tootsies, before settling down to chosen warmth.
Doing that is harder work using the auto controls manually.
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Air-conditioning controls temperature and humidity
Cars' so-called airconditioning is comfort cooling - temperature only is controlled. Of course, changing temperature will also change the relative humidity but the level of humidity is not controlled.
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>> Air-conditioning controls temperature and humidity
>> Cars' so-called airconditioning is comfort cooling - temperature only is controlled. Of course, changing temperature
>> will also change the relative humidity but the level of humidity is not controlled.
>>
In that case why does my car have temperature, humidity, and a photocell sun sensor (amongst several others) ?
My aircon is never switched off and I don't have any problems with either manual or climate control systems. Maybe a strong dose of RTFM is called for.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Sun 15 May 11 at 07:58
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>> Air-conditioning controls temperature and humidity
>> Cars' so-called airconditioning is comfort cooling - temperature only is controlled. Of course, changing temperature
>> will also change the relative humidity but the level of humidity is not controlled.
>>
Correct!
Exactly!
Precisely!
Indubitably!
Last edited by: L'escargot on Mon 16 May 11 at 09:34
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>> >> Air-conditioning controls temperature and humidity
>> >> Cars' so-called airconditioning is comfort cooling - temperature only is controlled. Of course, changing
>> temperature
>> >> will also change the relative humidity but the level of humidity is not controlled.
>> >>
>>
>> Correct!
>> Exactly!
>> Precisely!
>> Indubitably!
Wrong. You'd be hard pressed to find an air conditioning system that didn't reduce humidity, and the condensation would be a problem if it didn't.
One of the oft made complaints about airconditioning is the extent to which it dries the air.
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>> >> >> Air-conditioning controls temperature and humidity
>> >> >> Cars' so-called airconditioning is comfort cooling - temperature only is controlled. Of course,
>> changing
>> >> temperature
>> >> >> will also change the relative humidity but the level of humidity is not
>> controlled.
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >> Correct!
>> >> Exactly!
>> >> Precisely!
>> >> Indubitably!
>>
>> Wrong. You'd be hard pressed to find an air conditioning system that didn't reduce humidity, ........
You've misinterpreted what lancara said. He said " ....... changing temperature will also reduce the relative humidity but the level of humidity is not controlled." The important word is controlled. There is nothing in a car's aircon system which controls the relative humidity. The relative humidity of the air entering the car is reduced from what it is outside the car but it is not controlled. A true air conditioning system controls both temperature and humidity.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Tue 17 May 11 at 09:47
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>> There is nothing in a car's aircon system which controls the relative humidity. The relative
>> humidity of the air entering the car is reduced from what it is outside the
>> car but it is not controlled. A true air conditioning system controls both temperature and
>> humidity.
>>
My car has a humidity sensor as part of the climate control system, it is behind a small grille in the dashboard and a small fan pulls air across both a temperature and humidity sensor, what does that do ?
Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 17 May 11 at 10:07
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Well, unless it has a reservoir of disinfected water to inject into the air, it can do nothing about humidity.
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>> Well, unless it has a reservoir of disinfected water to inject into the air, it
>> can do nothing about humidity.
>>
?? It can turn the aircon on if the humidity in the car is too high.
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Not if the weather is too hot. The two are mutually exclusive.
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>> Not if the weather is too hot. The two are mutually exclusive.
>>
How about a cold damp day, you know, typical UK weather. :-)
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>> >> Not if the weather is too hot. The two are mutually exclusive.
>> >>
>>
>> How about a cold damp day, you know, typical UK weather. :-)
You just need a heater, not aircon or climate.
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>> You just need a heater, not aircon or climate.
>>
That would increase the humidity inside the car.
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what about a cold dry day? or a hot dry day?
Cant do anything about them can it.
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>> whereas the former simply chills and dries the air going into the car's heater.
You can still use the AC in conjunction with the blower fan and the heater though. Just means you've got manual climate control instead of automatic.
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>> >> whereas the former simply chills and dries the air going into the car's heater.
>>
>> You can still use the AC in conjunction with the blower fan and the heater
>> though. Just means you've got manual climate control instead of automatic.
>>
Agreed 100%, manual aircon still dehumidifies so it is perfectly normal to have the aircon "on" and set the temp with the cold to hot control.
Actually it makes more sense to me to control the temp of the air coming into the car rather than to try to maintain a steady interior temp. In that regard I was as happy with the Focus ST's manual aircon as the Mondeo' climate control. The BMW dual zone c/c works well though. Strangely the Mondeo needed setting to betwen 20 and 22 deg or it was too cold though the BMW,s are comfortable set at around 17.5.
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This old chestnut again...
I've never had my air conditioning serviced, nor has my dealer ever suggested that this would be necessary. It's kept on all the time, summer and winter, and it functions as well now as it did nine years ago when the car was new.
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>> This old chestnut again...
>>
I think I know the problem, some people suddenly remember their cars have aircon when the weather warms up, unfortunately they don't remember (or know) how to use it. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Sun 15 May 11 at 08:53
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>>I've never had my air conditioning serviced, nor has my dealer ever suggested that this would be necessary. It's kept on all the time, summer and winter, and it functions as well now as it did nine years ago when the car was new.>>
The A/C system should be kept on permanently to keep the seals etc lubricated, which is almost certainly why your car's system is working OK.
The problem I had with my then 10-year-old VW's A/C last year was down to a corroded valve, perhaps due to the fact I live right on the North West coastline...:-)
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>> The A/C system should be kept on permanently ........
My car's owners guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not required. I follow that recommendation because I think the manufacturer knows best. It would be very conceited for anyone to think they knew otherwise, or better.
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>>It would be very conceited for anyone to think they knew otherwise, or better.
:-))
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>>My car's owners guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not required.
The last time I read a Focus handbook (IIRC you've a Focus) it recommended running the A/C at regular intervals. Has that changed?
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>> >>My car's owners guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not required.
>>
>> The last time I read a Focus handbook (IIRC you've a Focus) it recommended running
>> the A/C at regular intervals. Has that changed?
>>
My Owner's Guide is "12/2002 en RHD". I can't find any recommendation in it regarding running the aircon at regular intervals. However, if you can give me the number of the page which says you should then I'll read it and then forever more hold my peace on the subject.
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Mine was a '99 V reg. The earliest owner's handbook I can find in a readable format on-line's 2000.
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>> My Owner's Guide is "12/2002 en RHD". I can't find any recommendation in it regarding
>> running the aircon at regular intervals. However, if you can give me the number of
>> the page which says you should then I'll read it and then forever more hold
>> my peace on the subject.
>>
www.focusplanet.com/downloads/focusmanuals/2002/2002_focus_owner_guidemanual.pdf
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>> >> www.focusplanet.com/downloads/focusmanuals/2002/2002_focus_owner_guidemanual.pdf
>>
>> Your link isn't working. Not at my end, anyway.
>>
>>
Your end needs looking at.
Try the link in a different browser, or sort out the settings in your current browser or pdf reader. Ask in computer related questions if the problem persists.
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>> Try the link in a different browser,
Why didn't I think of that? Thanks.
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www.focusplanet.com/downloads/focusmanuals/2002/2002_focus_owner_guidemanual.pdf
Even though it quickly became apparent that it wasn't written for my variant of Focus, I made the effort and read the Climate Controls section. I still couldn't find anything about running the aircon periodically as a maintenance measure.
Page 72 was interesting where it said "Before turning the vehicle off turn off the air conditioning, select fan speed 4 and allow the system to operate at this speed for a few minutes. This will help reduce any fogging which may occur the next time the vehicle is started." It illustrates one of my dislikes of using the aircon spasmodically in cool weather which is that it results in fogging occuring on subsequent journeys until the residual moisture in the heater/aircon system has evaporated.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Mon 16 May 11 at 17:34
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>> My car's owners guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not required. I follow that recommendation because I think the manufacturer knows best.
But does the driver know when it's best not to be required ;o)
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>> >> The A/C system should be kept on permanently ........
My car's owners guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not required. I follow that recommendation because I think the manufacturer knows best. It would be very conceited for
anyone to think they knew otherwise, or better.>>
May I suggest that you read through this link?
tinyurl.com/6l8ofxs
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>>May I suggest...
May I also suggest that that particular site isn't in any way the last word on matters technical.
As an example from that very page, compressors will struggle to pull a vacuum, because their clutch is disengaged when the system's low pressure protection switch trips.
During the time when I contributed to the discussion forum on that site, I found myself biting my tongue on many occaisons, but, owing to the vigorous moderation, dissent was pointless.
The advice about running AC to keep the seals lubricated is oft repeated, but, I 'm not sure about the truth of it.
Last edited by: Number_Cruncher on Mon 16 May 11 at 13:05
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>>The advice about running AC to keep the seals lubricated is oft repeated, but, I 'm not sure about the truth of it..>>
The A/C bloke I mentioned earlier (he's forgotten more than most know about the subject) who repaired my last vehicle's air con advised me at the time to leave it on permanently. That on the Jetta has not been switched off since I acquired the car last October.
He also pointed out that a car's A/C has to operate in what is a hostile environment for such a feature compared to such use elsewhere...:-)
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>>The A/C bloke....
He may have said it, but, what evidence was he basing it on?
I doubt that he's ever conducted any meaningful trials on the subject, and I would be very much surprised if it's simply not another repetition of the oft repeated....
Is this advice written by the manufacturers of the compressors? It has been a little time, but, last time I read the Sanden compressor manual, I didn't see any frequent use advice in there.
There's usually oil in the compressor - if there were no oil there, the compressor would soon fail via other mechanical mechanisms.
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>> >> >> The A/C system should be kept on permanently ........
>>
>> My car's owners guide recommends switching the aircon off when it's not required. I follow
>> that recommendation because I think the manufacturer knows best. It would be very conceited for
>> anyone to think they knew otherwise, or better.>>
>>
>> May I suggest that you read through this link?
>>
>> tinyurl.com/6l8ofxs
As far as I'm concerned, Honest John is a journalist and not an expert on aircon systems. I rank him together with Jeremy Clarkson et al.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Mon 16 May 11 at 14:23
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>> >> >> >> The A/C system should be kept on permanently ........
..........................................
>> As far as I'm concerned, Honest John is a journalist and not an expert on
>> aircon systems. I rank him together with Jeremy Clarkson et al.
>>
How very dare your insult Jeremy Clarkson like that!!
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>> How very dare your insult Jeremy Clarkson like that!!
>>
Am I bovvered?!
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when you have the climate set to a desired temperature, you have no control over when the aircon comes on.
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>> when you have the climate set to a desired temperature, you have no control over
>> when the aircon comes on.
>>
It may just be that L'es has the plain old fashioned air-con, and not climate control.
It may also be that his plain old A/C has drainage problems, or has a sticky recirc flap, or the A/C is not beefy enough to dehumidify his car fast enough.
Out of all the cars that I have driven, I have only ever experienced "fogging up on start" in a hire car in the USA about 10 years ago. That car had just plain old A/C, but even then it used to defog in less than a minute.
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I know you won't listen to a mere female, but just try changing the pollen filter.
Pat
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>> I know you won't listen to a mere female, but just try changing the pollen
>> filter.
>>
>> Pat
>>
The pollen filter gets changed in accordance with the manufacturer's service schedule.
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>> >> when you have the climate set to a desired temperature, you have no control
>> over
>> >> when the aircon comes on.
>> >>
>>
>> It may just be that L'es has the plain old fashioned air-con, and not climate
>> control.
>> It may also be that his plain old A/C has drainage problems, or has a
>> sticky recirc flap, or the A/C is not beefy enough to dehumidify his car fast
>> enough.
>>
>> Out of all the cars that I have driven, I have only ever experienced "fogging
>> up on start" in a hire car in the USA about 10 years ago. That
>> car had just plain old A/C, but even then it used to defog in less
>> than a minute.
>>
What I dislike is the misting that occurs when the aircon isn't being used on the current journey, but has been used on the previous journey(s). It's no good telling me to use the aircon constantly because I don't wish to do that. There's nothing wrong with my car ~ my previous similar variant car did exactly the same and they both did it from new. It's got climate control but using it in that mode results in the driver having no control over the rate of airflow. I like to be in control of things.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Mon 16 May 11 at 18:17
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>> they both did it from new. It's got climate control but using it in that
>> mode results in the driver having no control over the rate of airflow. I like
>> to be in control of things.
>>
Finally we get to the bottom of the problem.
heard of of PEBKAP, PBCAK PEBCAK?
In L'escargot's case, it is PBFADS where the F is Focus and DS is driving seat.
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>> heard of of PEBKAP, PBCAK PEBCAK?
>>
Never heard of it. Talk to me in proper English and I'll understand. It's no good talking to me in riddles.
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>> >> heard of of PEBKAP, PBCAK PEBCAK?
>> >>
>>
>> Never heard of it. Talk to me in proper English and I'll understand. It's no
>> good talking to me in riddles.
>>
Heard of the Internet? Heard of Google?
p.s. How do you define "proper English"? Are you trapped in Shakespearean times?
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>> It's got climate control but using it in that mode results in the driver having no control over the rate of airflow.
How odd! I can override the CC settings on my Vectra-C to increase or decrease the fan speed, and also alter which vent(s) the air is blown from; or I can simply press the auto button to revert the settings back to what the computer thinks the fan speed and air flow should be.
I thought all CC systems had manual control as well as auto?
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 16 May 11 at 21:34
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>> >> It's got climate control but using it in that mode results in the driver
>> having no control over the rate of airflow.
>>
>> How odd! I can override the CC settings on my Vectra-C to increase or decrease
>> the fan speed, and also alter which vent(s) the air is blown from; or I
>> can simply press the auto button to revert the settings back to what the computer
>> thinks the fan speed and air flow should be.
>>
>> I thought all CC systems had manual control as well as auto?
>>
Read my post again. The relevant words are in that mode. What I meant was that when controlled manually the system is aircon. In climate control mode it's left to it's own devices as to what rate of airflow it chooses.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Tue 17 May 11 at 09:59
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>> It's got climate control but using it in that
>> mode results in the driver having no control over the rate of airflow. I like
>> to be in control of things.
>>
Doesn't it allow you to set the temperature desired, and the distribution to auto, and manually to control fan speed?
Not that I have ever noticed fan speed being a problem. Every car I have had since at least 1998 has had automatic air conditioning that works that way and none has been a problem for me - it has been run the majority of the time.
The only real variation has been that some have been better at controlling temperature in strong sun than others. The less good ones are more likely to need a tweak on the temperature control - not really a problem...
Incidentally - if you want to demonstrate the effectiveness of the humidity reduction, try running on recirc - with the air-con on, it will take much longer to mist up, if it does at all. Air-con the best way to keep the windows clear in winter, provided the outside temperature is high enough to allow it to run.
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>> Air-con the best way to keep the windows clear in
>> winter, provided the outside temperature is high enough to allow it to run.
>>
On my car switching on the electrically heated windscreen is the best way of keeping the windscreen clear.
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>> the misting that occurs when the aircon isn't being used on the current journey
>> the level of humidity is not controlled
Right. This bit.ly/kKjOYt is a car air conditioning evaporator. It can be found between the pollen filter and the heater matrix.
The heater matrix looks very similar (although it's usually painted black) but they work in the same way.
1) Temperature change of incoming air:
In a heater matrix, hot water passes through the pipes which heats up the fins over which air passes. Hence the air being sucked/blown through it comes out hotter.
In an aircon evaporator, cold refrigerant passes through the pipes which cools down the fins over which the air passes. Hence the air being sucked/blown through it comes out colder.
2) Humidity change of incoming air:
Because an aircon evaporator is cold, moisture in the surrounding air will condense on it. Look at a beer/coke can 30 seconds after you've taken it out of the fridge on a hot day to see the same effect.
Because there is only one source of air coming into the car, the fact that moisture is being removed will mean the air in the cabin will be drier than the air outside. Because the pipes and fins of the aircon evaporator have a large surface area, they will attract a lot of moisture, which will make the cabin air very dry.
This moisture drips off the evaporator into a drip tray, and usually down a drainage channel onto the floor - hence the advice that dripping water after a journey can be considered a normal trait of the system.
3) Fogging up on subsequent journey:
If you come home in the evening with the car aircon switched on, the evaporator will be covered in drips of water when you turn the engine off. If the humidity outdoors is fairly high, the moisture on the outside of the evaporator fins won't, er, evaporate away into the atmosphere overnight - it will stay wet all night long.
When you start the car early the next morning, the airflow to the inside of the windscreen is being passed through a grid of wet evaporator fins at around dew point temperature, so the moisture will then evaporate into the incoming air and condense out on your cold windscreen.
4) Mould / bacteria:
If you leave the evaporator wet for a number of days, bacteria can take hold in the lovely damp environment and transfer to the inside of the tubes directing air to the various vents around the dashboard on its next use. Mmmm, lovely (and the reason for the existence of anti-bacterial cleaners and treatments!).
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Mon 16 May 11 at 22:02
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OO! You've done a course, haven't you?
>>bacteria can take hold in the lovely damp environment and transfer to the inside of the tubes
Wow! bacteria can transfer through solid metal. ;>)
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>> You've done a course, haven't you?
I taught myself how it worked from t'internet when I got the Escort. Figured out which bits didn't work (an intermittent connection to the compressor and a leak in one of the low pressure AC pipes), bodged it together and got it working again with an aerosol can top-up.
>> bacteria can take hold in the lovely damp environment and transfer to the inside of the tubes
>> Wow! bacteria can transfer through solid metal. ;>)
The plastic ducting tubes behind your dashboard, between the heater matrix and the air vents... Some of the cheapest, lowest quality automotive plastics you will ever see - but it doesn't matter, because they're hidden out of view :)
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Tue 17 May 11 at 11:10
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>> 3) Fogging up on subsequent journey:
>>
>> If you come home in the evening with the car aircon switched on, the evaporator
>> will be covered in drips of water when you turn the engine off. If the
>> humidity outdoors is fairly high, the moisture on the outside of the evaporator fins won't,
>> er, evaporate away into the atmosphere overnight - it will stay wet all night long.
>>
>> When you start the car early the next morning, the airflow to the inside of
>> the windscreen is being passed through a grid of wet evaporator fins at around dew
>> point temperature, so the moisture will then evaporate into the incoming air and condense out
>> on your cold windscreen.
That's exactly what happens in my current car, and what happened in my previous similar model. To avoid condensation in cool weather I either have to use the aircon all the time, or not at all. I choose the latter.
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Is my car's aircon cooling as much as designed? - spamcan61
