A/C myth or true ?

[plymcl172]

I have heard this but is it ture and do any of us bother

Are you meant to run the a/c at least once a month to avoid a re gas during the winter? just I forgot but does it really matter? I dont wanna pay for a re gas in the summer again really !

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

It dries the seals out if you don't use it...

Why do you not use it in the winter ?!

 

[-J-]

It's good practice yes, although I doubt not running over the Xmas period would cause issues.

Run it now, is it cold? Yes = all good

 

[plymcl172]

Yeah its fine stone cold only had a re gas in the summer ! Just didnt know weather it was true that you had to use it once a month or so

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

It does warm too you know

I use it all year round. Why would you not ?

 

[is1]

I run it for a few minutes each time I fill up (every couple of weeks).
That way, I remember to do it regularly as on the whole, I don't really use aircon.

 

[is1]

It does warm too you know

I use it all year round. Why would you not ?

Does it have an effect on fuel economy (I think it does)? The blowers will give good hot air so people tend not to use it as much in the winter.

 

[Addicted]

The aircon is useful in the winter to get rid of the moisture (or humidity?) in the air to stop it steaming up right?

Seems to work for me anyway!

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Possibly, as there's another item for the engine to run off the belts (compressor).

A/C is a de-humidifyer... very useful in winter !

 

[is1]

The aircon is useful in the winter to get rid of the moisture (or humidity?) in the air to stop it steaming up right?

Seems to work for me anyway!

Yes, aircon is excellent for that whereas with the demister (blower only) you need to have it set high and hot to demist well/quickly.

 

[DrR]

It does warm too you know

I use it all year round. Why would you not ?

Since when does a/c warm?

 

[is1]

Since when does a/c warm?

I think the point is that the air con system produces dehumidified air (whether hot or cold) and in winter the dehumidified air (which can be warm) produced by the system keeps the window free of misting.

 

[MarkCup]

Possibly, as there's another item for the engine to run off the belts (compressor).

A/C is a de-humidifyer... very useful in winter !

Possibly? It's guaranteed!

Takes a good few mpg off...you can feel it too if you're rolling along in say 3rd gear at walking pace...put the AC on and it feels like you've stabbed the brakes momentarily, until the ECU ups the fuelling to compensate for the extra load on the engine.

Agree about using it regularly...dry seals are not good.

I just hit the windscreen button each morning, gives it a run through for the first five minutes then I stick it back on auto...and it doesn't come on again.

 

[Chip-mk1]

On our 172 which has the auto climate on it, if you press for window clear it automatically puts the aircon on to dehumidify the air.

With regards to seals, Ive never been able to find a definitive answer on that one (ie a proper scientific test), better safe than sorry I reckon so tend not to let any car I have with aircon go too far between running it.