Cheat Codes . . .

[Grimlock]

Originally Posted by JetSpeed

I do not like the A/C coming-on automatically when I want heat, cold, etc. everytime I start the car. Sometimes I just want the fan NOT the A/C compressor turning on/off; wears it out in the long-in also. And "no," I did not mean de-froster.

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

should have got an FRS. I got a button to control my AC.

Score 1 FRS score 0 BRZ

This is why I was confused. Both the BRZ and the FR-S have an A/C button. I just hit the A/C button whether or not I want the A/C on. And I leave it on all the time, just because.

OP, be careful not to leave the A/C off for "too long." You don't want seals in the A/C system to dry out from not getting lubricated. That's when the system will start to leak.

[JetSpeed]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

This is why I was confused. Both the BRZ and the FR-S have an A/C button. I just hit the A/C button whether or not I want the A/C on. And I leave it on all the time, just because.

OP, be careful not to leave the A/C off for "too long." You don't want seals in the A/C system to dry out from not getting lubricated. That's when the system will start to leak.

Yes to the seals; I understand totally. Thanks.

[extrashaky]

Here's something else you may not realize about the air conditioner and the ECU on this car:

When you turn the A/C on, the electric fan behind the radiator starts cycling on and off. Then, between the cooling action of the fan and the temperature regulation of the thermostat, your coolant temperature will remain between 185° and 195°.

HOWEVER...

When you turn the A/C OFF, the automatic cycling of the fan turns off also, and the fan does not appear to kick on again until the coolant reaches around 210°. As long as you're moving, the air moving through the radiator will keep you between 185° and 195°. When you stop, however, your coolant temperature will start climbing until it reaches about 210°. Then the fan will kick on and keep the temperature steady.

Right now some of you are itching to respond to say, "Bullshit! I drive around all the time with my A/C off all the time, and the needle on the dash never moves from center!"

That's because the temperature gauge on your dash is fake. I wish I were kidding, but I'm not. The temp gauge climbs toward the center "normal" position, which it reaches around 170° if I recall correctly. Then it stops moving as long as the temperature is in the normal range, which is at least 170° to 210° and possibly higher. I've never overheated my BRZ, so I don't know how high it goes before the needle starts to move again.

You can test all this yourself with Torque. Set up a coolant gauge in Torque and watch the temp compared to the needle. Then turn the A/C off and just let the car idle. You'll see at least a 40° range in which the needle on the car's gauge doesn't move. You'll see your coolant temp rise pretty high with the A/C off.

I was assured by a Subaru tech that this is completely normal (take a drink) for this car. However, even knowing that, I still end up leaving the A/C on. And this could come into play as these engines age, if people ever start having cooling problems.

[JozhGoober]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

Right now some of you are itching to respond to say, "Bullshit! I drive around all the time with my A/C off all the time, and the needle on the dash never moves from center!"

I've got some track logs (OFT) with A/C definitely off, and my coolant temps never got over 200 degrees. Even coming off the track with low speeds, it barely came up 5 degrees.

I've got an OBDLink MX and Torque I can do some double checking, but I sincerely doubt there's a 40-50 degree temp swing.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by JozhGoober

I've got some track logs (OFT) with A/C definitely off, and my coolant temps never got over 200 degrees. Even coming off the track with low speeds, it barely came up 5 degrees.

I've got an OBDLink MX and Torque I can do some double checking, but I sincerely doubt there's a 40-50 degree temp swing.

If you're moving, it won't go up because there's air flow without the fans. If you sit and idle, it will rise.

I just went back and checked my notes from when I first dealt with this, and I was wrong about the upper limit I witnessed. It was 210 rather than 220. I have edited my post above to reflect that. That's still a pretty good temperature swing without the needle moving at all on the dash.

[JozhGoober]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

If you're moving, it won't go up because there's air flow without the fans. If you sit and idle, it will rise.

I do sit and idle after coming off the track to let the oil temps come down.

I don't have much to do tomorrow, guess it's time for a little experimentation.

[ryoma]

if you are really concerned about the coolant temps, buy an OFT and modify the fan tables. I haven't seen my coolant temp go above 200F even when stuck in traffic in 90F+ weather. cruising it's usually around 191-195 and in traffic the highest I have seen was 198F before it started cooling down. those temperatures were without the AC on. I have tweaked my stage 2 tune with the help of Wayno's guide and all is well. this is the radiator fan table taken from Wayno's guide:


the top is the stock fan table, the bottom is his modified one.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by JozhGoober

I do sit and idle after coming off the track to let the oil temps come down.

Are you using the stock tune?

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by acetothermus

Honestly? Bragging rights.

I agree that it's totally pointless. In most cars it is honestly. The only vehicles I'd see it being worth while would be cars with real back seats or even third row seats.

Nope. NOOPE. Girlfriend likes it at 72+ even when its warm out. She's 95lbs and freezing all the time. I'm 190 and warm, I like to keep my side at 68 or below. Dont knock dual climate controls until you've tried it.

Originally Posted by JetSpeed

OK, good insight. I only have 100ish miles on the car so it's still new to me. I will give it try next time I start it up.

I WAS turning the HVAC system -completely off- since the weather is so agreeable here lately. Then, when I want the fan on, I could only (seemingly at the time) get it on by selecting AUTO , then turning off A/C. Your work-around is helpful and a great place to start.

Thank You!!

If I remember correctly, you can turn the fan on by just turning the fan speed knob. It keeps it in manual mode and won turn on the AC automatically.

[acetothermus]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Nope. NOOPE. Girlfriend likes it at 72+ even when its warm out. She's 95lbs and freezing all the time. I'm 190 and warm, I like to keep my side at 68 or below. Dont knock dual climate controls until you've tried it.

I have no doubt that in those situations it would be a benefit. However my self imposed "forever alone" status makes that a mute point for me.

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by acetothermus

I have no doubt that in those situations it would be a benefit. However my self imposed "forever alone" status makes that a mute point for me.

+1 to that! My car is my only love

[acetothermus]

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

+1 to that! My car is my only love

Guess there isn't much of a chance of unwanted pregnancy that way...But watch of for those friction burns.

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by acetothermus

Guess there isn't much of a chance of unwanted pregnancy that way...But watch of for those friction burns.

LMAO okay I am not that in love with my car, I still like girls too

[carma143]

I too understand the harsh reality of needing to turn the A/C off EVERYTIME I need to get cool. Engineers sometimes put in hours of work in order to save a couple seconds everyday. The reprogram is definitely worth it to me.