drdiesel1 Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 GM cars have operated like this for many years. When defrost is on, A/C is on. I thought most/all cars did the same. They do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redshift Posted September 6, 2015 Report Share Posted September 6, 2015 Every car I have ever owned turns on the a/c when you select defrost. Since it is so much faster doing it that way, my guess is that it's a safety requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 Since about 1995 every car I've owned uses A/C in the defrost mode - the idea is that you are using the dehumidifying properties of the A/C - pulling the moisture out of the inside of the cabin. I think most of them have a temperature sensor to be smart enough to not turn on the compressor in freezing weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevedebi Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 This reminds me of my 2003 CRV. In the defrost mode, you could hit the A/C button and the light would go out - but the compressor still ran. I think every car I've had for the past 15 years has turned on the compressor automatically whenever a defrost setting is used. In one way it is useful - it runs the compressor in the winter, so that it stays lubricated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redshift Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Agreed. I've got to the point now where I don't use the windshield vents because it uses the AC compressor. I just turn recirc off and turn off all the vent settings but have it on say 3 or 4 speed, or crack the front windows. Takes a little longer but gets the job done. I think it's a bit underhanded of Ford to have the controls say AC is off when it's not, and the only way we know it's running, is through the electric usage gauge (or compressor buzz). If I want to open the windshield vents and blow warm non-air conditioned air at the windshield, I should really be able to. Like I was on my 78 Mini Cooper, Ford Sierra, Renault Clio, Jeep Liberty, and any rental car I've used. If Ford want to help improve gas mileage on this or future cars, maybe make the AC on/off switch do what the user wants it to do.Just curious. Why don't you want the a/c compressor to come on? Mileage? It's not going to make that big a difference. Also, if you don't run your a/c occasionally, the seals in the unit will dry out. They use the coolant to lubricate all the fittings so it it never runs, they will dry out and crack, thus causing a leak and expensive repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc1174 Posted October 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 (edited) Just curious. Why don't you want the a/c compressor to come on? Mileage? It's not going to make that big a difference. Also, if you don't run your a/c occasionally, the seals in the unit will dry out. They use the coolant to lubricate all the fittings so it it never runs, they will dry out and crack, thus causing a leak and expensive repair.Yep I know all that and never questioned the need for the compressor to run, just that it ran when the ac light was off, but this is a resurrected thread from February and I have since sold the C-Max. Edited October 3, 2015 by kc1174 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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