Hi all
To be honest it is very easy with manual air con. My 13 plate 12S + AC has been to South of France and back several times and again this September. I have been in July when it was very hot and though the Jazz AC is not the best, with the blower going and air on recirculate, it is quite good enough for me. Long stretches with it on gets the car very cold, (once motorway stretch is 300+ Km) and usually wife complains she is too cold. I certainly appreciate it and wouldn't have a car without it now. Extra bonus, I go to the gym most evenings and the car soon steams up when I get in, 30 seconds using aircon and all is clear again.