Ford: aircon keeps switching on

matty2003

Seems to be Ford preference to automatically turn on the aircon whether you want to or not, possibly when you switch vent direction to windscreen.

Any way to stop this happening?

TychoCaine

Nope. That's just the way aircon works. My Volvo does exactly the same.

colm_mcm

aircon helps clear the windscreen, where's the problem?

vengeance52

yup did the same on my mondeo. cleared the windscreen in no time

Alun

That's the way it works. As soon as you switch it to demist it switches the a/c on. It's a 'feature'.

Personally I keep the air vent on demist all the time, so as to keep a bit of air circulating around the cabin but without it blowing anywhere near my face which I really dislike, so for me it's a bit of a pain, and I have to keep switching it off when not needed.

matty2003

well, the problem is that 1. you lose engine power when aircon is on, and 2. you use more petrol.

I know that it's great for demisting, but it's really only necessary when it's raining heavily.

The point is, I want to control it, not it control me!

If it's able to know when I direct vents to windscreen, then it can also be made 'not to know'. Is there anyone with some technical knowhow?

crosstownk

matty2003 wrote: »

.

I know that it's great for demisting, but it's really only necessary when it's raining heavily.

The point is, I want to control it, not it control me!

The only reason for selecting the upper windscreen demist vents is to demist the windscreen - why would you want to downgrade this feature by turning the A/C off? These vents are inefficient at heating/cooling the cabin.

JHMEG

crosstownk wrote: »

The only reason for selecting the upper windscreen demist vents is to demist the windscreen - why would you want to downgrade this feature by turning the A/C off? These vents are inefficient at heating/cooling the cabin.

It's like the OP said.. a/c isn't needed to clear a lightly fogged windscreen.

My last 2 cars had the option to put the vents on the screen on, but a/c off (keeps it clear) and also had a demist button which put the vents on the screen and a/c on (and press it again and it everything goes back to the way it was).

crosstownk

JHMEG wrote: »

It's like the OP said.. a/c isn't needed to clear a lightly fogged windscreen.

My last 2 cars had the option to put the vents on the screen on, but a/c off (keeps it clear) and also had a demist button which put the vents on the screen and a/c on (and press it again and it everything goes back to the way it was).

Yep - on some models you turn the dial to windscreen demist, the A/C comes on, and you simply press the A/C switch to turn off the compressor. But if I want air to circulate, I'll use the centre vents at a low speed, but that's just me I suppose.

TychoCaine

JHMEG wrote: »

It's like the OP said.. a/c isn't needed to clear a lightly fogged windscreen.

My windscreen will not demist without the a/c on, so it suits me to have it switch on automatically.

testicle

Is there not an ECON button that will switch off the Air Con?

colm_mcm

Econ buttons usually on Japanese cars, never seen one on a Ford.

E92

The demist function is only for demisting the car. You should go straight back to the normal setting on a car with aircon once the screen is clear.

And aircon cleans a windscreen infinately quicker(even with the fan at its lowest speed) than not having it on, and if it is left on, significantly reduces the chance of the car fogging up again.

As for it reducing power and increasing fuel consumption(by only a few%, so all you'll lose if 1 or 2 mpg), I'd rather lose power and waste a small bit of extra fuel and see where I'm going, than get every last horse and mile from every gallon from the car and be uncomfortable in a stuffy car(if you don't have aircon you need to have the heater on at full heat and fan at full blast to defog the winscreen quickly) with severly reduced vision.

bazz26

Most Fords have a quick clear front windscreen these days too. To be honest the air con on for a few mins to clear the windscreen quickly is not going to zap much fuel imo.

Henry Ford III

A/c should be used regularly too.

Remember the refridgerant also acts as the lubricant. Without use the rubber hoses will perish.

cyrusdvirus

Henry Ford III wrote: »

A/c should be used regularly too.

Remember the refridgerant also acts as the lubricant. Without use the rubber hoses will perish.

i didn't know that. best leave it on today so!

Henry Ford III

1 hour a week is enough to keep the system and hoses in order tbh.