Member Since: 15 Oct 2014
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
Posts: 820
Best to leave AC on all the time.....?
Having read numerous articles whether to switch AC on and off as and when needed - it seems leaving it on all the time is the best option - saving the o rings and such like 'drying' out thereby prolonging the life of the compressor and such.....?
I never, ever use the Auto climate control - not sure the point of it - just blasts air out in all the places I don't want it! - especially when starting up..... its difficult enough getting warm air into the cabin (as has been discussed in other threads)..... so I have found setting at 23 and leaving the AC on best for me to date. Having to set it at 23 or above is a nonsense though - my previous Toyota LC would warm up well enough from 18/19....
Any thoughts?2016MY Discovery HSE - Black
2009MY Toyota Land Cruiser (Lc4) - Black
3rd Dec 2017 12:19 am
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6577
I’ve always had AC on, if they’ve had it, in all vehicles that I’ve owned or driven - from driving in the snow, in the summer, in the desert to driving in tropics or sub-tropics, etc. Have not noticed any adverse effects.
That some manufacturers have crap “auto” settings is their fault and not the technology’s I think part of the problem is where they put the cabin temperature sensor.
Comparing the D3 MY05 and the last three V70s (MY00, MY10, MY14) I’ve driven the Swedes know for sure how to make a good automatic setting.
3rd Dec 2017 12:38 am
garrycol
Member Since: 06 Dec 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1115
Just put climate control on with your required temp setting - leave and forget.
Climate control works great just takes a while to bring the entire cabin to the required temp.
I live in an area where it gets down to -6 in winter and up to 45 in summer and my climate control sits on 19 all year around - the only changes I make is to change from fresh air to recirc occasionally when outside temps are at an extreme or stuck in traffic with lots of fumes outside.
Garry
3rd Dec 2017 2:07 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Auto on all the time, it can be annoying at times, especially when you first get in and its damp outside and as the engine is cold it blows no air at all so the screen starts to mist up!
My wife has left the a/c on in every car she has ever owned going back the best part of 20 years
3rd Dec 2017 4:01 am
Mr.Tom
Member Since: 01 Jun 2014
Location: St Neots
Posts: 1641
I just leave it on auto a/c all the time. To help demist if needed, I turn on the heated screens and press the max button, which directs it all at the screen too for a bit.Sill protection - LED internal lights - LED reverse lights - boot liner - Dog Guard - Rock sliders
MY12 D4 HSE - been and gome
MY16 D4 Landmark
3rd Dec 2017 6:53 am
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
The AC will come on in auto only when needed to cool the car if hot so leaving on is probably the best
3rd Dec 2017 8:48 am
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6577
Mr.Tom wrote:
I just leave it on auto a/c all the time. To help demist if needed, I turn on the heated screens and press the max button, which directs it all at the screen too for a bit.
This. I had never had a heated screen before the D3 but having used it for a while I think it is one of the best convenience features of all time. On the Volvo it conflicts (at least used to) with a bunch of technology packs (pedestrian detectors, lane warnings, intelligent cruise control, etc.)
Having read numerous articles whether to switch AC on and off as and when needed - it seems leaving it on all the time is the best option - saving the o rings and such like 'drying' out thereby prolonging the life of the compressor and such.....?
The "Econ" setting runs it at 5% to do just that. Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
Freelander 2 2007 HSE Manual Tambora Flame
Previous: FL2 56 reg SE Manual Black (written off )
Disco 3 06 reg B7S Manual Rimini Red
Disco 2 TD5 Y reg ES Manual Blue - Chipped
Several Discovery 300 TDis
3rd Dec 2017 10:11 am
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2572
In any (every) other car - set 21 deg & left on auto.
Wish the same could be said of the 15 & 16 MY Disco's, where it seems to be necessary to revert to manually controlling the system to maintain a correct temp. (Obviously an improved "Design Intent")
Nick J: Re the AC only working when it needs to reduce the temperature, that's logical, but apparently the system always cools the air down, then re-heats it to the desired temp. Can't remember where I read that though.Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
3rd Dec 2017 12:55 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
kajtzu wrote:
Mr.Tom wrote:
I just leave it on auto a/c all the time. To help demist if needed, I turn on the heated screens and press the max button, which directs it all at the screen too for a bit.
This. I had never had a heated screen before the D3 but having used it for a while I think it is one of the best convenience features of all time. On the Volvo it conflicts (at least used to) with a bunch of technology packs (pedestrian detectors, lane warnings, intelligent cruise control, etc.)
Even better on a series land rover
3rd Dec 2017 1:07 pm
Grianaig
Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Tyne and Wear
Posts: 1286
I fixed the constantly on ac on my series 2a by replacing the vent seals. 2014 MY Discovery XS Indus Silver. Sadly gone. Second last LR of forty eight years continuous ownership.
3rd Dec 2017 1:15 pm
DavidSally
Member Since: 31 Oct 2012
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 565
On all the time all year round on our cars
3rd Dec 2017 2:39 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Totally off is bad. Eco and Auto are both good for longevity.
Mine is usually on Auto for de-misting purposes but on a longer winter run I do nudge it into Eco mode. As already mentioned the system keeps itself lubricated in both Eco and Auto modes.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2136
What about a D4? There isn’t an eco mode is there?
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
3rd Dec 2017 5:52 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72798
I've assumed that is when it's off and the LED isn't showing. I tend to leave mine on, if off the car mists up something rotten if switched off. I'd often leave the D3 in "off" but ended up not bothering with that as it wouldn't make any difference to fuel burn.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum