Air Con problem

[Bristol_Crosstar]

Driving my Crosstar to Cornwall on a beautiful day realised the aircon was not producing cold air. I had this happen about 20 years ago on a Rover 45, the solution was to get it re-pressurised. I haven't been using the car much and also I tend to have Eco switched on which affects the aircon so it's just not been used enough I guess. Never had an issue on my Mk 2 in 6 years but there wasn't an Eco switch on that.

[ColinB]

I haven't been using the car much ...

If you've not used it much, or if you habitually have the a/c switched off (eg during the winter) when you do drive it, then it's possible for one or more of the seals to dry out and all the refrigerant leaks away. You need to get the seals replaced before the system is recharged, or you'll simply lose all the new refrigerant as well.

[shufty]

...I use the car pretty much every day and never switch the 'aircon' off.

[Bristol_Crosstar]

...I use the car pretty much every day and never switch the 'aircon' off.

I usually have it on auto so the car decides whether Aircon is required, often in winter it's not.

[shufty]

...I use the car pretty much every day and never switch the 'aircon' off.

I usually have it on auto so the car decides whether Aircon is required, often in winter it's not.

...Aren't you 'conditioning' the air regardless of the temp?
I choose the temp setting not the car and may still want a cooler setting even in winter. What the system is actually doing to get me that temp I don't know. I do know that your system will last longer of you use all year around.

[Bristol_Crosstar]

...I use the car pretty much every day and never switch the 'aircon' off.

I usually have it on auto so the car decides whether Aircon is required, often in winter it's not.

...Aren't you 'conditioning' the air regardless of the temp?
I choose the temp setting not the car and may still want a cooler setting even in winter. What the system is actually doing to get me that temp I don't know. I do know that your system will last longer of you use all year around.

The car won't necessarily use aircon unless required as it uses more energy than heating, if you control the climate system manually you can switch aircon on or off.

[shufty]

... Exactly. Keep it on though.

[Kremmen]

...I use the car pretty much every day and never switch the 'aircon' off.

I usually have it on auto so the car decides whether Aircon is required, often in winter it's not.

In winter you don't need the cooling side but it still dries the cabin air which helps stop interior moisture that quite a few post about.

24x7 on Auto for me as well

[Bristol_Crosstar]

It's not for everyone though having the climate system on constantly apart from the fact you'll use more petrol some people (my wife for example) prefer to have a window open and get 'fresh air' in certain weather conditions so it's a bit pointless having it on then.

[Kremmen]

Yes, that's one reason we have opening windows.

For me I prefer the pollen filtered air. I don't even know if my windows work, never used them

[richardfrost]

Yes, that's one reason we have opening windows.

For me I prefer the pollen filtered air. I don't even know if my windows work, never used them

If you can see through them, they work.

[Lord Voltermore]

My wife also  likes real fresh air from an open window, tweeting birds etc.   Windows open uses more fuel due to increased wind resistance. Windows shut with aircon uses more fuel for the aircon.  IIRC the fuel  penalty for each is about the same and balances out. Most economical is windows closed, no aircon.

Having aircon switched off all the time can lead to early gas leaks from dried out seals.    Its best to run aircon now and again even in winter.   I would think the reduced aircon output in econ mode  would be enough use,  as long as aircon is not always off completely.

Is premature gas leak is covered by warranty?. It may be regarded as a consumable/fair wear and tear.

[Marco1979]

Air conditioning is a fairly constant load, while open windows (and the additional drag) increases with speed. So when driving around town, windows open can be more economical, while at the motorway air conditioning will be more economical.

Air conditioning will also use cooling and reheating in case of high humidity (condensation will occur within the system, drier air will be sent to the passenger space). So the air conditioning might be on more then you expect, using a bit more fuel.

That said: after 1 or 2 years it should be covered under warranty.

[Bristol_Crosstar]

I think my problem has been caused by having Eco on all the time, a/c use is minimal to save fuel in this mode.

On my wife's EV if a/c is switched on the range immediately reduces by 20 miles or so and we've got into the habit of only using it sparingly.

[Jazzik]

I think my problem has been caused by having Eco on all the time,

I wonder... Almost 2 years in "Econ" mode (yes, always...) and the system on "Auto". The air conditioning (still?) works fine. Honda would probably have a warning in the manual if "Econ" endangered the life span of that air conditioner.