"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
08/05/2014 at 13:15 • Filed to: None
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"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
08/05/2014 at 13:15 • Filed to: None | 0
| 24 |
Was browsing around our local news site at lunchtime and ran across these A/C tips:
http://www.openbay.com/boston/9146071…
Argh! Such misinformation!
#1 - Added current when you restart the car? What? When you are holding the starter switch the fan is off! Acclimating to the outside air? Who cares?
#2 - uhh, it often rains here. If I see a forecast for no rain for 3 days I might leave my windows cracked but most of the time, nope.
#3 - Oh - open the doors and windows when you get back in the car because you don't want to leave the windows cracked? Okay, sure.
#4 - GM used to force the A/C compressor to cycle every time you started the engine. I don't know if other manufacturers do this or not but I don't think it's necessary at all. (edit - I mean their TIP isn't necessary, running the A/C periodically IS a good thing, but it's built in)
#5 - Okay, you don't live where it's actually hot, do you. Actually, I prefer to have windows open if it's between 60 and 80 but this is just a stupid recommendation. It's 95 degrees out - do you know how long it took me to get the interior cooled down?
And - they don't stop at 5 dumb recommendations - they continue on to "Recharge your system every 2-3 years". Well, if your system has a LEAK. Get the leak fixed!!!!!!!! Otherwise, yeah you are going to charge it periodically. My old '98 Buick has 250K on it and it's never been charged. I actually checked the pressures once a few years ago and it was right on. (my brother drives it now and it's still working properly)
505Turbeaux
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:19 |
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what in the fuck, none of those makes any sense or difference AT ALL. I really hope a tech didn't write this or I am out for blood. (see comment from deez_nutz, I burned em)
Mattbob
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:20 |
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local news.... So much fail.
HammerheadFistpunch
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:21 |
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Link was borked, can you copy the unabridged tips?
JGrabowMSt
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:22 |
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1) What current, is your compressor electric? Belt driven compressors just cause more of a hard start than anything else. I do turn off the AC first though, but only because the car starts better that way in my little 4 banger. The HEMI? Doesn't seem to care either way.
2) I actually crack my windows just a tiny tiny bit most of the time. Just below the edge of the weather guard, so rain can't get in. Just nice to air the car, nothing else really.
3) Nope.
4) Nope. In my Neon, I actually went months (literally, months) without running the compressor a single time. AC blows cold, no problems at all. Thing is 10 years old now, and doesn't have a problem with the factory AC charge.
5) Nope. I'm not going to make myself a target for assholes about to roll coal into my car. Just straight up nope.
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deekster_caddy
> HammerheadFistpunch
08/05/2014 at 13:23 |
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Summer's here and the time is right… for blasting your AC. But just because it's hotter than heck outside doesn't mean you should use your car's air conditioner willy-nilly. There are actually a handful of best practices that you can employ to get the most out of your AC, ensuring longevity of life and peak performance. Here are five tips you should add to your daily summer cruising repertoire.
Turn your AC off before you kill the engine. There are a couple of practical reasons why this is a good idea. For one, it helps acclimate your body to the external temperature so you don't get hit with an overwhelming heatwave as you step outside of your car. But on an entirely different level, leaving your AC engaged could greatly reduce the life of your battery because of the added current that's drawn when you go to restart your car.
Keep your windows cracked when parked on extremely hot days. Having an AC is a great luxury in the heat of summer, but extending its life depends on taking steps to ensure it doesn't have to overwork itself to do its job. Leaving your car windows open - even if just a half-inch - can cut back dramatically on the heat buildup inside your car, thus ensuring your air conditioner's rapid effectiveness.
Give your car a few minutes to air out before you get in. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of cracking their windows open, especially if they have to leave their car parked in public for extended periods of time. We don't blame you. As an alternative, consider throwing open your car doors and rolling down all windows for a few minutes to let the hot air out before you get inside. Dropping the internal temperature, even if by just a few degrees, can also lessen the strain on your AC.
Run your AC for at least ten minutes, once a week, regardless of the weather. Keeping your car's AC system at peak performance requires routine exercise that acts as a preventative against moisture and mildew buildup. To ensure it will be in tip-top shape when you really need it, perform this year-round.
Kill your AC and roll down your windows when stopped at red lights and when driving in stop-and-go traffic. Running your air conditioning puts a serious strain on your engine and can take a huge bite out of your car's fuel efficiency, especially in city driving. Taking this step can not only extend the life of your AC but can also save you quite a few dollars at the gas pump. But when you're traveling at highway speeds, your car is more susceptible to wind drag. Under these circumstances it becomes more fuel efficient to roll your windows up and crank the cool air.
As a rule of thumb, you should have your car's air conditioner recharged every
to ensure optimum performance. Not sure if your AC is working properly? Check out
, which could clue you in on potential problems - and solutions - you may not even be aware of. If you're overdue for service, visit
today to find the nearest mechanic who can take care of that for you.
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deekster_caddy
> 505Turbeaux
08/05/2014 at 13:24 |
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Nice!
twochevrons
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:25 |
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I've always turned the AC off a few minutes before I stop the car, to try to get some of the moisture off the evaporator. I've always figured that if the heater box is damp while the car is sitting (and really, not all of the moisture is going to drain out), it's going to promote mould growth and that weird old-AC funk.
But that whole thing about taking load off the battery? Dumb. Every car that I've come across has some kind of load-shedding system that disengages the AC clutch (and usually a bunch of other stuff) while starting.
ETA: Also, that whole thing about periodically running the AC is silly, too. I know that it's a good idea, but anywhere that it gets really cold in winter, it's just not possible. The AC systems that I've come across refuse to engage at temperatures below freezing (something to do with preventing compressor damage if a slug of liquid refrigerant were to come through). Here in MN, that's nearly half the year.
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deekster_caddy
> Mattbob
08/05/2014 at 13:26 |
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boston.com is usually pretty good! But their "Cars" subsection is just reposts of other garbage most of the time.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:26 |
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wow, this looks like it was written from comments on a forum that was searched in 5 minutes on googles. Terrible.
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twochevrons
> JGrabowMSt
08/05/2014 at 13:27 |
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Heh, I can one-up you on #4: when I bought it, my VW Scirocco had sat for 10 years. The AC still blows ice-cold.
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deekster_caddy
> twochevrons
08/05/2014 at 13:27 |
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I agree and sometimes do the same, but they don't even mention moisture/water as a reason to turn the AC off! I heard that I can request the dealership to reprogram my HVAC for something they call "Afterblow" where the fan will stay on low for 10 minutes after I leave the car for this exact reason. I might have to go request that.
Shankems
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:28 |
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"Running your air conditioning puts a serious strain on your engine and can take a huge bite out of your car's fuel efficiency, especially in city driving."
Lol. How old (legit) or woefully underpowered (if new) of a car do you need to "strain" your engine with the AC. Even the puny 2.0L in my GFs Kia Forte doesn't drive different with the AC on full tilt.
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deekster_caddy
> JGrabowMSt
08/05/2014 at 13:28 |
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Actually, my Volt DOES have an electric compressor! It's variable speed by demand and amazingly efficient. But - I'm also quite sure it doesn't affect the startup...
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deekster_caddy
> HammerheadFistpunch
08/05/2014 at 13:30 |
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With VERY outdated information!
Nibbles
> Shankems
08/05/2014 at 13:33 |
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My 2007 Focus. We "opt" to not use it because it drops the vehicle from 0-60 in 10 seconds and 32 MPG to 0-60 in Tata-Nano-is-faster-than-this and about 20 MPG. 122 emission-starved California horses attempting to operate at 6,000 feet.
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twochevrons
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:33 |
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You'd think that it would be the kind of thing that they'd enable by default. I seem to recall that Volvo's implementation would turn the blower on for a few minutes after the car had sat for an hour, or something. Thought about having it fitted to my 850, but it's too old to have it done by programming, and I doubt that the retrofit kits are available any more. I hate that horrible damp smell.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Shankems
08/05/2014 at 13:33 |
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Even the 79 240d one of my brothers owns doesn't suffer impossibly - just don't climb hills.
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Shankems
> Nibbles
08/05/2014 at 13:36 |
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Elevation just means, business case for forced induction!
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deekster_caddy
> twochevrons
08/05/2014 at 13:37 |
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I would agree to have it on by default but I can see it freaking some people out...
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Nibbles
> Shankems
08/05/2014 at 13:39 |
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I'm afraid to do anything to this poor car, save trade it in. It's been an excellent vehicle so far, giving 90,000 miles without a single service call, but I think it's time to move on and get something that can move under its own power.
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JGrabowMSt
> deekster_caddy
08/05/2014 at 13:49 |
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Likely correct. If it did, I'm sure GM engineers would have implemented a delay before allowing it to start to prevent problems.
The engineers that build these cars aren't all that stupid about these things...
CB
> Shankems
08/05/2014 at 17:13 |
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My mum's 2000 Ford Mustang cannot go uphill in 5th gear with the A/C on.
njp1589
> Shankems
08/05/2014 at 17:28 |
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1.6L Kia Soul with the 6SP manual. Feel a huge difference in performance with the AC on.
Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
> Shankems
08/05/2014 at 17:33 |
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I turn it off before I do autocross runs. Need all the horsepower