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Climate control/Air conditioning

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32K views 28 replies 15 participants last post by  SteveGranger  
#1 ·
Every time I turn the engine on in my mcs the automatic climate control/air conditioning system comes on regardless of whether I put it off previously. Since I tend to open the windows a lot this is a constant source of annoyance for me as I only tend to notice later and I know more fuel is consumed when the system is on.

Is it not possible to have it on only when I turn it on. I guess some will suggest I just stick with the climate control set at about 19c and leave it at that but I just prefer fresh air unless during winter or on the motorway. I had the same issue with my previous bmw. Any suggestions?
 
#6 ·
oh sorry I'm in london so its uk spec. Being the sole driver I only use one key so its not a case of different profiles either. While the engine is still running I turn the climate control knob all the way anticlockwise till the lights go out on all 3 rotary dials. And then next time I start up voila the whole shebang comes on again, argghhhh!!
 
#7 ·
I think you need to press the air con button so the green light goes out. The one on the row of switches with the headed seats and screen controls plus the recirculation button. That's what I do and it goes off and stays off but fiddle with the temp controls and the car will just remember what you had last!
 
#10 ·
I've got a related question... now that it's cool and wet my windows sometimes start steaming up as I'm driving. I give it a blast of "window defrost" and that clears it quickly, but seems quite aggressive (full blast fans, noisy).

I've tried the manual air distribution and I think the little up arrow there is supposed to be for windows, but it doesn't seem very effective (especially on side windows).

What's the best way to stop the windows misting up without activating the wind tunnel?
 
#12 ·
just put the air con on normally without using the defrost or max air con. with the fan directed to the windows (the up arrow) the dry air will quickly demist the windows. you can also use the air con with heat - its a common misconception that air con is only for when its hot - to maintain a dry atmosphere when its cold & wet
 
#13 ·
yes and no! if the temperature you set is lower than current ambient temperature then it will speed up the fan to cool down the interior to the displayed temperature as quickly as it can. If the temperature you set is higher than ambient then it doesn't do this - you can manually adjust the fan speed but if you don't touch anything it will maintain the fan speed to gently bring the interior temperature up to what is set on the display.
 
#16 ·
Thanks Hat. I played a bit more and I can do what I want in a couple of ways... your suggestion directing the flow using just the up arrow, then adjust the fan as required, is one way. Or I can use the defrost setting and then just turn the fan down. Both give a similar flow through the vents to the side windows.

Having the flow to the up arrow in conjunction with anything else is less effective... the air gets spread over too many outlets. As you change the direction you can hear the internal baffles and things moving to direct the flow.
 
#19 ·
Hooray well done cosmic. Glad to help . I keep finding stuff out all the time. I'd not worked out the unlock button is on the door handle! Lots of tech on this car = lots to learn apparently the button next to the ac button has two recirculation modes auto and manual. The auto is supposed to detect pollutants. Hard to tell if that works or not! But the farmers manure wagon this am needed an urgent move to manual!
By the way anyone know why the screen on my media xl equipped Cooper doesn't always do the swirling mini thing but goes straight to the function last on. But sometimes it does? Perhaps needs a new thread?
 
#26 ·
My new (June '15) MCS is doing the same thing that's been chatted about here. I will turn off the A/C system, leaving the fan running, just before and at least 2-3 minutes before shutting off the car and the next time I fire Gaby up, she turns on the A/C without my assistance. The button shows then that it's off but there is definitely conditioned air coming through the vents. This will then last for about 5 minutes or so before reverting to just vent mode. Very strange.

Any other remedies that anyone has out there? I just feel that the system should always be in the commanded mode.

Other than that, I FREAKING LOVE MY MINI!
 
#27 ·
I leave my automatic climate control standard at 20 or 21 degrees celsius and let the system work out itself how hard the airco should work, what the fan speed should be etc. Why else spend extra money on a fully automatic system.

It's also the best way to keep your system in good condition. Airconditioning systems don't like being switched off for too long because it causes gas to escape, compressors to block and sealings to dry out which will lead to higher costs to refill and repair than the extra fuel consumption.

This doesn't mean I never drive with the window down :)