Running the SHO with the "Auto" feature (climate control)

[CTOESHO]

Well, I just found out that when the SHO is running in the "auto" feature on the climate control, that the AC is running. Even when the temp is warm like 75 degrees, the AC still runs. I was also told that this could lower my gas millage. Before when I ran the "auto" feature at 75 degrees all the time, my temp was below the "l" in normal. Now I use "vent" instead, and my temp is hanging around the "m" and "a" in normal. The temp outside is 37 degrees by the way.

My question is, how much AC am I using when
I run the "auto feature on my climate control at 75 degrees? Is the lower gas millage noticeable? Should I run "auto" when I'm cruisin, but turn it to vent when I want to go WOT? Sorry for the long post. Thanks.

Mike
93MTX

 

[Random]

when you go to WOT, the AC compressor turns off so as not to damage it.


P.S.-Any word on the Y-pipe shipment?

 

[Cohiba]

I've always wondered about that... I always use vent, unless I need the AC. I've also heard that you should never drive with it turned to OFF (can't remember why). Anyone know about this?

BTW: What temps does everyone set at? I'm always at 69 in the summer and 77 in the winter.

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[fredhurderjr]

I leave mine at 70 in the winter & usually use MAX in the summer, if I decide to use it at all. I'm a big "hang your elbow out the window" kinda guy.

 

[AutoXSHO]

This has always bugged me about most American cars. Why is there no seperate A/C and recirc button? The A/C compressor is on in Auto, Max, Flr + Def, Def, and Panel + Flr. It's off on floor and vent (and OFF obviously). Recirc is on when you push Max.

Stupid.

Running with the system "off" will not hurt anything.

Jv

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95 MTX with mods.

 

[Emerald94]

FYI, "MAX" = Recirculation mode, meaning you are not getting any fresh air from the exterior. It's used to speed up cooling but after a while, you'll be breathing the same air (Yuk!). Most japanese cars have this feature and if you leave it on too long, all your windows fog up, especially in cool weather.
'94 MTX, green (like most of the '94s!)

 

[sdpatt]

Even in AUTO, the climate control will be in full recirc mode, just like the MAX setting, until the temperature in the cabin is within so many degrees of the setpoint.

The reason the coolant temperature stays lower in all settings but VENT and FLOOR is that the radiator fan runs continuously in the settings where the A/C compressor is used. On the highway, you wouldn't notice the difference because there is plenty of air moving through the radiator, but around town in stop and go traffic, there is little air flowing through the radiator to remove the heat of the coolant.

Yeah, that has always amazed me why the domestic manufacturers have never given us the freedom to select whether or not we wanted the darn compressor running in settings such as defrost.

I believe that the reason it was said never to leave the system off for extended periods was to prevent the growth of mold from the moisture on the evaporator. Having the system off for short periods shouldn't have any more effect than not driving the car.



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Scott

1991, 252K miles, glass hood, police grill, SVO shifter, Catz fogs,
K&N, 73mm MAF, Superchip, PP Y-pipe, Borla cat-back, 190 lph pump
Eibach/Tokico/polyurethane, SHO Shop front & rear strut braces,
16x7.5" Moda R1, 225/55ZR16 Bridgestone RE730, -1 deg camber x 4,
Class II hitch, Silver award at the SHOklahoma Car Show

 

[Cruez]

One good reason for it coming on is to keep it from locking up after not running through the winter months..

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[slosho]

Also to lubricate the seals, I try to use mine for at least 20 min/week on the highway, otherwise it's left in "floor".

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95' ATX Silver Frost
Cone Filter W/ heat shield
TB coolant Bypass
Bypassed a few "PCV" lines
Fog light mod
Reverse light mod
Brake light mod
Sony head unit (el cheapo cdx-650)
JL Monoblock 500
JL 2-12w3's
Rear tint
More to come.

 

[Bigjoey71]

I have a question regarding this entire post. From what i have read, it sounds like some of you guys/gals leave the ECC on all the time. My dad always told me to turn off the ECC before turning off the car. He said that if you dont that it could cause a short or blow a fuse or something like that. How much truth is there to this? Should i continue to turn the ECC off before turning off the car, or should i leave it on?
Joe

 

[slosho]

It doesn't matter.

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95' ATX Silver Frost
Cone Filter W/ heat shield
TB coolant Bypass
Bypassed a few "PCV" lines
Fog light mod
Reverse light mod
Brake light mod
Sony head unit (el cheapo cdx-650)
JL Monoblock 500
JL 2-12w3's
Rear tint
More to come.

 

[CTOESHO]

So how much AC am I using when I run the "Auto" feature? If it's not much, then I will probably turn on the "Auto" feature when I'm running in town, or whenever I see the temp gauge rise and turn it to vent on the highway. I feel better about my car when it runs in the "l" range rather than the "r-m" range. I think I'm paranoid that I'll overheat my car AGAIN!. Thanks

Mike
93MTX

P.S.- Finally got ALL the Y-Pipes in. I just finished boxing up all of them, and emailed everyone with there shipping and handling charge. By the way, if anyone can get a hold of Jason Berl, tell him to email me. For some reason, I get an error message when I email him. Thanks

 

[jthomas68]

I use the AUTO always exept in summer(damn a/c WILL work this year).That`s how the automatic climate control is meant to be used.It will heat up to the desired temp,and the a/c will kick on if it get`s about the setting to coll it down(except in my SHO it shuts off instead,did i mention damn a/c?).FWIW,i shut off EVERYTHING before i turn the car off.The ECC is vaccum controlled,so i shut it off to relieve the pressure.

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Jeremy Thomas
Modified 91+
Pic Of The Week:

 

[AutoXSHO]

The automatic climate control is meant to be used however you want it to be used

.

I almost never use the Auto setting anymore because I don't want the AC on most of the time in the city - I turn it on during one of my freeway trips during each week. I don't have any problems with the interior fogging up, so I see no reason to use it in the city - just hurts the mileage.

I keep it on vent or floor most of the time, and it maintains the temperature very well in this cold weather. I mean, the system is still "Automatic" even when it's not in "Auto" mode...

Leaving it "on" when you shut the car off is not hurting anything.

John V
95 MTX w/mods

[This message has been edited by AutoXSHO (edited 11-29-2001).]

 

[JimN696]

The compressor cycles in the auto and defrost modes to keep the seals lubricated and to circulate the compressor oil in the system, but it also supplies dehumidified air to help clear the windows faster in the defrost mode. You should run the system in auto a few times a month in the winter to make sure the seals get lubricated.

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Red 94 ATX, all options, bone stock.