FL AC question

you have a good point. it does defeat the point.

i tend to override the a/c by setting recirculate to off... this works really well when we get hit with the few hot and humid days a year.

i've heard others comment about driving with the windows cracked to let out excess heat till the system "ramps up" with it's cooling power. (unless you garage your car.. )

 

i didn't address vents... i have seen no harm by setting everything to high with mixed top and bottom vents (the bottom vents split off to the back seats... but that may require floor only mode?)

 

Hi Laura. You're right that ONLY recirc can lead to a stinky AC. Best procedure when your car has been sitting closed up is to open the hatch and a front door to let the really hot air rise out of the car. Then close the hatch, start the car and open all the windows. Drive a little to further air out the cabin. Close the windows and put the cabin comfort system to the temperature you like and set it at Auto. The system will sense the heat and humidity (yes, there's a humidity sensor) and run the compressor and fan at appropriate speeds to get you comfortable as fast as possible. When the cabin is comfortable, put the system in recirc to keep some of that blasted humidity out so the compressor can run a little slower.

Auto will change the open vents to try to keep you cool, without cold air blowing in your face.

 

Thanks Bill......I have the same problem living in Louisiana and since I am a newbie, I need guidance in how to handle this techno-marvel car!!

Thanks again..............

 

Bill is aboslutely correct... with one exception. Here in AZ, the interior of your car will rise upt o 150 degrees sitting in the sun with the windows closed. When I get in I open the windows, turn on the air and drive for a minute or so to lower the inside air temp to the outside temp - typically 110 or so. Then I roll the windows up and let the AC do its job. The AC will pull the car down to my set temp but it will take 5 to 10 minutes or so because, although the inside air temp is cooling, the apohlstery, dash, trim, etc is still quite hot and needs to catch up.

I said Bill was spot on with one exception. I use the Auto mode but keep the air in Recirc mode. Once in a while it will switch back to ouside and I'll leave it there for a minute or two, but eventually switch back to Recirc. The car cools much better and stays cooler in Recirc.

Now, down in Florida, I would suggest Recirc. Your high humidity will eventually lead to mold buildup when you shut the air off and all that humidity becomes a breeding gound for mold. I use a trick here in AZ to prevent that by switching the compressor off and opening the outside vents for the last 1/2mile of the trip to dry out the evaporator. I can get away with this technique becuase our humidity here is usually aroung 10% or less. This wouldn't work for you in Fla.

 

If I leave my 2004 in AUTO A/C all the time it never switches itself to outside air. The only time that happens is:
- turn on front defrost
or
- turn OFF AUTO A/C, and then turn it on again; then the first time the system starts the compressor it goes to outside air.

 

In hot weather climes, I recommend from experience here in Texas:

1. Get your windows tinted. Do it. Use a quality film and a professional installer. Doing it yourself can end up looking like nice person. Don't let your car look like nice person.

2. Use a front windshield shade. RELIGIOUSLY. The more direct sunlight you block, the cooler your car will be before you get in it.

3. If possible, leave a window cracked open so that hot air can vent out.

When getting in the car and starting a trip:

4. Roll down the windows to let the hot air out. Keep them down for the first few minutes when you're driving.

5. Turn on the AC and set to vent (fresh air) until it starts cooling down.

6. Roll up the windows when the AC is cool enough.

7. Switch the AC to recirc when it's cool enough. This will reduce the load on the AC system by recycling cooler cabin air instead of hot outside air.


And always, park in the shade where you can. Shade helps a TON. I'm quite curious how things will work this summer for me since I park the car in my garage at home, and park in a garage at work.

 

I've seen mine flip to outside are once in awhile. I drive in mode 4 as much as possible. Perhaps my batteries get a bit warm and the fuzzy logic opens the outside air vent to get cooler air to move over the batteries.