[coachsteve]

I am a little, a lot, confused.
If I set the temps where I want and the auto on, does the A/C come off and on as needed ?

I have not seen that happen yet.

 

[Vermonter]

Steve,
In the climate control on my previous car, A4, the fan speed was automatically controlled, it went high if it had a lot to do to get to the set speed or it was low if the temperature was close to my setting. This is not the case with my MCS, the fan speed is not automatic, I set the fan high or low etc., and the system only sets the air temperature. At first I didn't like this but now I am used to it. BTW, where do you need air conditioning now (where is Porter Ranch?). Yesterday it was -10 F here.

 

[vegbiker]

I've only had my MC since October so have had no use of A/C. However, when I first got the car the A/C light was alway on with the heat running. I kept waiting for it to cycle off, but it never did. So, at least in cold weather, the system doesn't seem smart enough to turn the A/C on and off, it's just where you put it. Or I'm not smart enough to understand how it works, even though it has been much discussed on these forums.

 

[Hat]

It will not turn the a/c on or off in full auto mode but it does vary the fan speed to achieve the temperature that has been selected. That fan speed can also be overridden if required by turning the knob as you would in manual mode.

You can also run it in auto mode with the a/c switched off by pressing the a/c button to turn the light off. The system then controls the fan speed and direction to achieve the set temperature. This is how im running during winter and you can hear the fan changing and the various vents opening and closing as it moves air around as required. It also waits until the air has warmed before increasing the fan speed when warming the cabin up

So essentially you have full manual, fully auto climate control with air con and fully auto without air con

 

[TX1911fan]

In climates with humidity (such as Central Texas where I live) you need the A/C on all the time anyway to remove the moisture from the air. So even if I have the heat on, I leave the A/C on. In my last car, a Lexus IS250, I never turned the A/C off in over 4 years. I think Mini does the same thing. The auto climate control will control the mix of cool and warm air, and if necessary the fan speed, but will not turn off A/C unless you choose to do it manually. It also defaults to fresh air and will turn off the recirculating even if you've chosen it. This works perfectly for me, but for some people they don't like it.

By the way, if you have the climate control in Auto, moving the ring around the center knob changes the "intensity" of the climate control, not necessarily the fan speed. In reality, it means the fan speed will generally be higher the further clockwise you turn the knob, but it can get higher if it needs to.

A rather confusing system, but it works well if you just leave it alone. Set the temp and then forget it.

 

[uke]

I've only had my MC since October so have had no use of A/C. However, when I first got the car the A/C light was alway on with the heat running. I kept waiting for it to cycle off, but it never did. So, at least in cold weather, the system doesn't seem smart enough to turn the A/C on and off, it's just where you put it. Or I'm not smart enough to understand how it works, even though it has been much discussed on these forums.

I think the system is smarter than you expect. I leave the AC on all the time, and have not noticed any drag on the engine due to the compressor when cooling was not required (like when outside temp was below my set temp).

I always thought the smart way to do this was to only run the compressor when active cooling was required. I have never owned a car that behaved that way, until this one (I think). I have not observed the AC compressor running (and sucking power from the engine) except when the car needed to get to my set point, and the outside air temp was at or above my set point. I think BMW nailed it on this one.

 

[Hat]

I seem to remember reading something about the fact that the air con compressor is optimised to only run when needed rather than defaulting to on

 

[BikerBob]

It might be outdated advice but regardless of whether or not you routinely have the a/c on I thought it was a good idea to run it at least once a week, preferably on the coolest setting, to keep the refrigerant circulating, stop the seals driving out, and nasty wiffs developing?

Regards Bob

 

[2 in the family]

It might be outdated advice but regardless of whether or not you routinely have the a/c on I thought it was a good idea to run it at least once a week, preferably on the coolest setting, to keep the refrigerant circulating, stop the seals driving out, and nasty wiffs developing?

Regards Bob

I was just going to add this advice.
Unless things have changed, an ex A/C fitter I know, always advises running the A/C for a half hour at least once a month if not weekly.

I do so as I've have the A/C fail on 2 of my last 3 cars (smart and Merc A class) as I did not heed this advice.
Matt

 

[jeremybingham]

Good advice as the gas acts as the lubricantc for the seeals etc

 

[vegbiker]

Thanks to Hat, TX and Uke for making some finer points I didn't know, such as the compressor won't run unless needed. It's hard to get one's head wrapped around the fact that it's OK to have the A/C "on" when it's below freezing. It seems to get down to the definition of "on." "On" in an f56 means "available as needed" versus actually running, if I'm understanding. Yes, now I'm appreciating the complexity and brilliance of the design. You've talked me into turning it back on!

On the other hand, now I'm pondering the traditional wisdom Bikerbob brings up in periodically running the A/C. Can you force the compressor on with such a smart system that only wants to turn it on as it deems fit, not you? (Open the pod bay doors HAL!)

 

[jeremybingham]

Yes you have to run it on max coldness I think but not sure what happens if the external temperature is colder!

 

[coachsteve]

Thanks for the responses.

I think auto is a slower way of getting to set temperature.

I just don't see how if it turns on a/c button, it will also turn it off.

I'm too anal.

 

[Hat]

It doesn't automatically turn the ac button on or off

 

[BikerBob]

Yes you have to run it on max coldness I think but not sure what happens if the external temperature is colder!

As Jeremy says.........usually only a chilly inconvenience in the UK in winter but maybe more challenging elsewhere.

I normally do it early on in a journey anyway; heated seats help to aliviate the chilly 10 mins

Regards Bob

 

[jeremybingham]

Thatsat I do too bob