AC is "on" when turned "off"? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

BRZranger · 08-01-2012, 06:54 AM

I have noticed that when I turn my AC off, but my temperature to "coldest" I can still feel AC coming through windshield vents in the "windshield-vent" mode. When I turn the vent dial mode to other vent modes, I do not feel the AC anymore.

Yes, I'm sure it's AC coming through in windshield-mode. How do I know? In windshield mode, it's super chilly air, "AC-like". In every other vent mode, it feels like "normal" air, that isn't chilly.

Why is this happening? I have no idea, I would think AC and vent controls are not interconnected.

This concerns me, because I don't want to burn up extra fuel to support AC when I don't necessarily want AC. I haven't taken this in yet, but I wanted to see if anyone else could recreate this also.

roddy · 08-01-2012, 07:11 AM

When you set your selector to any setting that includes the windshield, A/C automatically comes on. Most newer cars do this.

BRZranger · 08-01-2012, 07:14 AM

Hmm... I'll have to check my '11 Forester XT, but I had a '11 Ford Fusion, and I don't remember it doing that.

wbradley · 08-01-2012, 07:46 AM

It's designed to defog the front windshield. Newer Toyotas do that.

Killerbee · 08-01-2012, 08:07 AM

got the same on my 07' 350z, most newer car do this. However, its also noted in the Drivers Manual, so RTFM :-)

fistpoint · 08-01-2012, 08:53 AM

You might be able to deactivate this by holding certain buttons on the A/C unit, and/or turning the key to a specific setting.

It will take time before anyone learns these codes though, eventually someone will post them if it's possible. It worked for my Acura, now I decide when the compressor comes on. Actually it still works as designed, but now I have the ability to turn it off by pressing the button.

So, where do these little bits of knowledge come from? Shop manuals? Service manuals at the dealer?

mikochu · 08-01-2012, 09:03 AM

I'm sure you can "disable" it by setting the temperature to a bit warmer. That's what I do in my GTI...

Azzaboynt · 08-01-2012, 09:38 AM

My NC MX5 automatically turns on the AC (if switched off) when I set it to defog the front windshield.

heeltoe86 · 08-01-2012, 09:52 AM

A/C mode turns on when used for defogging because a/c air has less moisture in it than regular cabin air.

Dave-ROR · 08-01-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikochu

I'm sure you can "disable" it by setting the temperature to a bit warmer. That's what I do in my GTI...

Even with the heater the AC system will run in a defog setting.

Most, if not all, new cars do this as already stated. In many cars you can easily disable it, in some, it requires a bit more work.

bimmerboy · 08-01-2012, 10:55 AM

atleast you have a premium so you have more control over when the a/c comes on vs the auto climate control in the limited models.

Kurenai · 08-01-2012, 11:39 AM

The AC runs because it also removes humidity from the air.
Humid air on windshield = fog.

Synack · 08-01-2012, 11:57 AM

So if the compressor is running this often, then the car will be a bit down on power, because it's a tiny 2.0L engine and electrical stress does this.

What's the easiest way to knowingly turn off the compressor?

Neziah · 08-01-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synack

What's the easiest way to knowingly turn off the compressor?

Just don't set it to any setting that shows the windshield/defrost on the dial.

Both of my other newish cars did the same thing.

08-01-2012, 06:54 AM	#1
BRZranger Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: BRZ Location: Everett, WA Posts: 736 Thanks: 996 Thanked 268 Times in 180 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	AC is "on" when turned "off"? I have noticed that when I turn my AC off, but my temperature to "coldest" I can still feel AC coming through windshield vents in the "windshield-vent" mode. When I turn the vent dial mode to other vent modes, I do not feel the AC anymore. Yes, I'm sure it's AC coming through in windshield-mode. How do I know? In windshield mode, it's super chilly air, "AC-like". In every other vent mode, it feels like "normal" air, that isn't chilly. Why is this happening? I have no idea, I would think AC and vent controls are not interconnected. This concerns me, because I don't want to burn up extra fuel to support AC when I don't necessarily want AC. I haven't taken this in yet, but I wanted to see if anyone else could recreate this also.

08-01-2012, 09:03 AM	#7
mikochu Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2010 VW GTI 2-Door (APR Stage II) Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 30 Thanks: 21 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm sure you can "disable" it by setting the temperature to a bit warmer. That's what I do in my GTI... __________________ Michael Reyes 2010 GTI 2dr MT CSG APR Stage II, SPM V1 IC, R8 Coils, K&N Drop-In, 42DD Race DP, Magnaflow CBE, CM FX300, S3 Short Shifter w/ 42DD/VM Bushings, Autotech Insert, StopTech Street Pads, Neuspeed Sport Springs/RSB/RSe12 Wheels, ED LED Tails

08-01-2012, 09:38 AM	#8
Azzaboynt Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Red 86 GTS Auto Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 33 Thanks: 8 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My NC MX5 automatically turns on the AC (if switched off) when I set it to defog the front windshield. __________________ Current drive: 2012 Toyota 86 GTS

08-01-2012, 09:52 AM	#9
heeltoe86 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2012 Ultramarine FR-S Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 85 Thanks: 84 Thanked 51 Times in 32 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	A/C mode turns on when used for defogging because a/c air has less moisture in it than regular cabin air. __________________ 2013 Ultramarine FR-S daily/trackwhore 1986 Toyota AE86 (sold) 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (sold) 2006 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner (sold) 1996 Honda Civic (sold)

08-01-2012, 11:57 AM	#13
Synack Boosted Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Sideways Location: Atlanta Georgia USA Posts: 2,377 Thanks: 388 Thanked 716 Times in 414 Posts Mentioned: 25 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	So if the compressor is running this often, then the car will be a bit down on power, because it's a tiny 2.0L engine and electrical stress does this. What's the easiest way to knowingly turn off the compressor? __________________ *Nismo 370Z 300whp -> FR-S Turbo 450whp on E85 -> Z06 Corvette 500whp*

08-01-2012, 07:11 AM	#2
roddy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: '13 Ultramarine Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 2,243 Thanks: 1,476 Thanked 1,165 Times in 685 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	When you set your selector to any setting that includes the windshield, A/C automatically comes on. Most newer cars do this.

08-01-2012, 07:14 AM	#3
BRZranger Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: BRZ Location: Everett, WA Posts: 736 Thanks: 996 Thanked 268 Times in 180 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hmm... I'll have to check my '11 Forester XT, but I had a '11 Ford Fusion, and I don't remember it doing that.

08-01-2012, 08:07 AM	#5
Killerbee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: GR86 / Supra MK5 MT / MR-S / Z4 Location: Switzerland Posts: 833 Thanks: 589 Thanked 710 Times in 339 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	got the same on my 07' 350z, most newer car do this. However, its also noted in the Drivers Manual, so RTFM :-)

08-01-2012, 08:53 AM	#6
fistpoint Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: Supercharged Golf Cart Location: Estados Unitos Posts: 1,196 Thanks: 75 Thanked 364 Times in 206 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You might be able to deactivate this by holding certain buttons on the A/C unit, and/or turning the key to a specific setting. It will take time before anyone learns these codes though, eventually someone will post them if it's possible. It worked for my Acura, now I decide when the compressor comes on. Actually it still works as designed, but now I have the ability to turn it off by pressing the button. So, where do these little bits of knowledge come from? Shop manuals? Service manuals at the dealer?

08-01-2012, 10:55 AM	#11
bimmerboy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: 2009 135i Location: Midwest Posts: 283 Thanks: 126 Thanked 74 Times in 43 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	atleast you have a premium so you have more control over when the a/c comes on vs the auto climate control in the limited models.

08-01-2012, 11:39 AM	#12
Kurenai Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Hot Lava 6AT Location: United States Posts: 53 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The AC runs because it also removes humidity from the air. Humid air on windshield = fog.

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