Why do you advise keeping the air conditioning switched on?
You regularly receive queries about air conditioning and its use to which your advice is (of late) to leave it switched on. My reaction is always the same - why, then, do manufacturers provide a conveniently placed on/off switch for the A/C?
I accept the need for regular operating of the system for the reason you state. (During Covid travel restrictions, I would ensure the A/C was 'on' during short 'essential journeys' whether or not I would have used it under normal mileage 'free movement' conditions).
You also imply some drivers do not use A/C 'during winter'. Do they never have a need to demist the interior of their vehicles - even with effective climate system with clear air filters, etc.?
In 'summer', A/C is not always needed. In fact, it can be preferable to have it switched off for specific periods in order to obtain the optimum comfort settings.
Then there is the extra load/fuel consumption factor.
I accept the need for regular operating of the system for the reason you state. (During Covid travel restrictions, I would ensure the A/C was 'on' during short 'essential journeys' whether or not I would have used it under normal mileage 'free movement' conditions).
You also imply some drivers do not use A/C 'during winter'. Do they never have a need to demist the interior of their vehicles - even with effective climate system with clear air filters, etc.?
In 'summer', A/C is not always needed. In fact, it can be preferable to have it switched off for specific periods in order to obtain the optimum comfort settings.
Then there is the extra load/fuel consumption factor.
Asked on 1 August 2022 by Vic Smith
Answered by
Dan Powell
Why is there an on/off switch? Simple, so drivers can choose to save money on fuel and deactivate the system.
Sadly, there are lots of drivers out there who switch off the AC in November and then keep it off until March (or whenever the weather warms up again). We receive thousands of AC complaints. They always arrive in the spring/summer months and generally start after the first spell of warm weather for the year.
That is why I advise drivers to keep the AC switch on. The entire ventilation system is designed to operate with it activated 100% of the time and the savings in fuel are far outweighed by the costs of repairing the AC.
Sadly, there are lots of drivers out there who switch off the AC in November and then keep it off until March (or whenever the weather warms up again). We receive thousands of AC complaints. They always arrive in the spring/summer months and generally start after the first spell of warm weather for the year.
That is why I advise drivers to keep the AC switch on. The entire ventilation system is designed to operate with it activated 100% of the time and the savings in fuel are far outweighed by the costs of repairing the AC.
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