Air Con always on when Climate set to Auto

[sadlersmead]

I have an 03 Cooper S with climate control.

When I select a temperature and click "Auto" button - the air conditioning light always comes on.
Even when its freezing outside and I've set the temperature at 20 degrees.

I always thought that the air-con was for cooling.

If this is correct then I'm assuming its to help stop the car windows from misting-up?

When the air-con button is activated, is the fuel consumption affected?
The fuel consumption is already worse than I expected - typically 26 mpg

Cheers

Paul

[jamski]

I've always thought of this as a 'climate control' light. And I guess it's 'air conditioning' not 'air cooling' so comes on regardless of the temperature set. I don't really worry about it affecting the fuel consumption, don't think it really makes much difference.

Hope that helps.

[MarkW]

the auto uses the cooling combined with heating to maintain the cabin temp at the set level, if you turn off the auto the heater will continue to pump in hot air at the temp you've set it for.

[Richard Crofts]

AC light will illuminate as it allows the climate control to regulate the temp better. AC drys the air as well as cooling it. The idea of AC coming on when climate temp is selected is so you don't get warm (as thats why people set the climate at around 18-20 degrees) moist air in the cabin thus steaming it up as the auto also tends to use the screen vents most of all to pump air out.

Its totally normal and all you have to do is push the AC button after the climate has been selected. the AC will then turn off and the climate will just use the reular cold air feed and warm air feeds to regulate....but you might get your windows steam up on the wrong tyes of day

[Streeters]

Many people assume A/c is for cooling, it is just a turbo for the heater if you like, , it also de-humidifies , hence why a/c or climate control is great at keeping windows de-misted in the damper weather. Myself I admit like fresh air, but strangley enough use a/c more in the winter months for its de-misting properties and just wind down the windows in the summer to shoot the breeze - except during our 3 days of summer

[Richard Crofts]

Quote: Originally Posted by Streeters (original)

Many people assume A/c is for cooling, it is just a turbo for the heater if you like, , it also de-humidifies , hence why a/c or climate control is great at keeping windows de-misted in the damper weather. Myself I admit like fresh air, but strangley enough use a/c more in the winter months for its de-misting properties and just wind down the windows in the summer to shoot the breeze - except during our 3 days of summer

man after my own tastes ... i too only really use mine for di-misting. Even in the cold I like my roof and windows open, mainly to rear the scream and roar as i go to work at full chat :rolleyes