Aircon 'feature' On New Xt-r

[Yossarian]

I've noticed that when I start my XT-R the aircon reverts to recirculate mode (not sure whether it happens every time but it is definitely more often than not).

Not a major problem, just need to press the button to switch it off but I'm sure this wasn't happening before (I've done 4500 miles from new).

Is this normal or just another feature of the electronics on modern cars (ie. they have a mind of their own)?

[Hoovie]

down to the hotter weather and the "Solar Sensor" on the dash as well as other things (I read about that today :) )

[duncerduncs]

I've noticed that when I start my XT-R the aircon reverts to recirculate mode (not sure whether it happens every time but it is definitely more often than not).

Not a major problem, just need to press the button to switch it off but I'm sure this wasn't happening before (I've done 4500 miles from new).

Is this normal or just another feature of the electronics on modern cars (ie. they have a mind of their own)?

Yeah it's fine. The quickest way to cool the air (or heat in very cold conditions) within the car is to only cool the air within the car, hence the air con going into recirculate mode. Once the air within the car is cool enough and the compressor is working fully, the recirculate mode will be turned off.

Obviously you can turn it off yourself :)

[Yossarian]

I've noticed that when I start my XT-R the aircon reverts to recirculate mode (not sure whether it happens every time but it is definitely more often than not).

Not a major problem, just need to press the button to switch it off but I'm sure this wasn't happening before (I've done 4500 miles from new).

Is this normal or just another feature of the electronics on modern cars (ie. they have a mind of their own)?

Yeah it's fine. The quickest way to cool the air (or heat in very cold conditions) within the car is to only cool the air within the car, hence the air con going into recirculate mode. Once the air within the car is cool enough and the compressor is working fully, the recirculate mode will be turned off.

Obviously you can turn it off yourself :)

Oh Ye (me) of Little Faith! The RAV is my first Japanese car for a few years and I should have remembered that things tend to work properly. Thanks for the explanation.

[three5]

I've noticed that when I start my XT-R the aircon reverts to recirculate mode (not sure whether it happens every time but it is definitely more often than not).

Not a major problem, just need to press the button to switch it off but I'm sure this wasn't happening before (I've done 4500 miles from new).

Is this normal or just another feature of the electronics on modern cars (ie. they have a mind of their own)?

Yeah it's fine. The quickest way to cool the air (or heat in very cold conditions) within the car is to only cool the air within the car, hence the air con going into recirculate mode. Once the air within the car is cool enough and the compressor is working fully, the recirculate mode will be turned off.

Obviously you can turn it off yourself :)

Oh Ye (me) of Little Faith! The RAV is my first Japanese car for a few years and I should have remembered that things tend to work properly. Thanks for the explanation.

All the manufacturers seem to have their own foibles. My last motor was a Grand Vitara and that turned on the air conditioning every time you put the heating system on windscreen demist. I thought this very odd initially but realised that it's actually a very good idea as a) it clears the screen in the minimum time and B) it makes sure that the seals in the compressor get lubricated on a regular/irregular basis, preventing leakage of the gas. If I'm honest, I have to admitt that I really miss the feature.

[john1944]

I've noticed that when I start my XT-R the aircon reverts to recirculate mode (not sure whether it happens every time but it is definitely more often than not).

Not a major problem, just need to press the button to switch it off but I'm sure this wasn't happening before (I've done 4500 miles from new).

Is this normal or just another feature of the electronics on modern cars (ie. they have a mind of their own)?

Yeah it's fine. The quickest way to cool the air (or heat in very cold conditions) within the car is to only cool the air within the car, hence the air con going into recirculate mode. Once the air within the car is cool enough and the compressor is working fully, the recirculate mode will be turned off.

Obviously you can turn it off yourself :)

Oh Ye (me) of Little Faith! The RAV is my first Japanese car for a few years and I should have remembered that things tend to work properly. Thanks for the explanation.

All the manufacturers seem to have their own foibles. My last motor was a Grand Vitara and that turned on the air conditioning every time you put the heating system on windscreen demist. I thought this very odd initially but realised that it's actually a very good idea as a) it clears the screen in the minimum time and B) it makes sure that the seals in the compressor get lubricated on a regular/irregular basis, preventing leakage of the gas. If I'm honest, I have to admitt that I really miss the feature.

Yes I get the same thing; it only happens if the temperature control is in the Lo position. Nowhere else to put it of course in this weather. How do you lot find using the a/c all the time effects your fuel consumption ?

[shcm]

In theory, some of these "features" can be changed (see table below).

From what I can gather though, if it really is possible, you'll need the Mr T diagnostic tool (no not OBD2, it will probably need to talk Mr T protocol) plugged in to do it - so most likely a dealer job.

Pity, the thing has a built in self test (AM has outlined this on here before), which doesn't need the diag tool, but the "feature" changing does.

Personally, I think the 0.5C steps for temp setting are a bit daft and wouldn't mind changing mine to 1C steps, but it doesn't bother me so much that I would make a deliberate trip to a dealer for it.

[three5]

Yes I get the same thing; it only happens if the temperature control is in the Lo position. Nowhere else to put it of course in this weather. How do you lot find using the a/c all the time effects your fuel consumption ?

I guess that, like a good few of the folks on this forum, my current focus is minimising fuel consumption. I do use the aircon but do not keep it switched on for long so, hopefully, it has no major impact on the fuel consumption. Must have another look at blob-watch and see how everyone else is doing. Very happy with fuel consumption on XT5 - I can almost make the Toyota figure for a long journey ( extra-urban ) and hover arround 43 mpg locally. To put that in perspective, I don't have to travel at peak periods generally and do everything possible to avoid it. If I do a long journey I like to get away between 05.00 and 06.00 hrs. This is much cooler than later ( aircon not required! ) and the lack of traffic is brilliant for fuel consumption.

If this seems a bit unfeeling to those of you ( AM et al ) on shifts - Sorry guys, but there has to be some advantage in getting old!

Best regards

Chris

[Fujisan]

Yeah it's fine. The quickest way to cool the air (or heat in very cold conditions) within the car is to only cool the air within the car, hence the air con going into recirculate mode. Once the air within the car is cool enough and the compressor is working fully, the recirculate mode will be turned off.

Obviously you can turn it off yourself :)

Damn clever little thing :D Beats the levers and rods and bits of string that work the "heater" controls in my first few cars.

On the question of A/C v's MPG, personally I leave the A/C on most of the year, except the coldest winter's days. To my mind I would rather use it and keep it in good regular running order then just try to use it on high days and holidays and find out that the seals have dried out and the refrigerant has escaped.

The cost of a tiny amount more fuel is nothing compared to new seals and regassing the system every year.

Plus ....it's nice to arrive somewhere fresh and cool B) :D .......rather than sweaty, smelly and looking like you just spent several hours in a sauna!

[shcm]

The cost of a tiny amount more fuel is nothing compared to new seals and regassing the system every year.

Plus ....it's nice to arrive somewhere fresh and cool B) :D .......rather than sweaty, smelly and looking like you just spent several hours in a sauna!

What????????? Miss Daisy should be sweating like a pig and honking like AM's replacement horns in the interests of fuel economy

Seriously Fuj, that either means you're doing very well with that econo driving or the A/C in the RAV is having little effect on economy

[Fujisan]

What????????? Miss Daisy should be sweating like a pig and honking like AM's replacement horns in the interests of fuel economy

Seriously Fuj, that either means you're doing very well with that econo driving or the A/C in the RAV is having little effect on economy

I'd like to take credit for it B) but I don't think the modern A/C has that much effect on mpg.

Either way, thank you! :D

[Yossarian]

Quote: How do you lot find using the a/c all the time effects your fuel consumption ?

I've never noticed any significant change in fuel consumption in any of the cars I've had, so I tend to leave the aircon on. My RAV seems to consistently achieve over 46 mpg (at least according to the computer) and I'm more than happy with that.

I find it particularly useful in winter - de-misting is much more effective. The only time I switch it off is when I have the sunroof and windows open - there doesn't seem to be much point in 'conditioning' the air that's being sucked straight out!

Incidentally, has anyone noticed the effect on fuel consumption of driving with windows or roof open? Difficult to conduct a long-term trial in this climate I suppose!

[Fujisan]

I find it particularly useful in winter - de-misting is much more effective.

And well done on your mpg, keep it up

Incidentally, has anyone noticed the effect on fuel consumption of driving with windows or roof open? Difficult to conduct a long-term trial in this climate I suppose!

From what I've read, below 30mph it has no noticable effect. Above 30 mph it wreak's the aerodynamics, especially the sunroof and therefore has a negative impact on mpg.

Again from what I read, the ideal strategy is to use windows / sunroof, with A/C off below 30 mph and then close windows / sunroof and use the A/C above 30 mph.