The ac uses outside temp and a solar radiation sensor to bias the output temperature using a high voltage three phase variable speed compressor. It is quite a system, technically far more advanced than your typical residential system.
Maybe the outside air temp is also used by the car's computers to tailor engine warm-up? Or is it just monitoring coolant temp? I know in winter the engine runs longer before starting to shut-down, say at red lights. And you can tip it to shut-down sooner, if you keep the H/V system temp low, or shut the system right off.
its also used in tandem with the hvac; engages from recirc to outside air to come in so windshield doesn’t fog up. During winters and skunk season, I don’t like this feature.
