Do you use your air con?

[StanC]

Like most folk here I have my aircon running continuously - the car is a 1996 960 3Ltr 24v with climate control, so it just keeps the car at the nice comfortable set temperature whatever it's doing outside. Running the aircon frequently keeps the system healthy and my system, at 22 years old, has only ever been recharged once, seven years ago when I had the compressor replaced. I check the charge every spring, but it just never seems to leak any refrigerant (now I've put my foot in it - it'll probably fail on me now!). As for the effect on fuel consumption, my car seems to be as fuel-efficient as is expected for a 3Ltr 960 and I've never really found it a problem.

[owyn]

My old V70 had an issue with AC and cruise control, with cc on and AC on it would jerk and vary speed when the compressor clutch came in and out. If I ran one or the other it was fine, I did wonder if the compressor was on its last legs and starting to seize, the car had done a mere 190,000 miles.

[phil1968]

Originally Posted by StanC

Like most folk here I have my aircon running continuously - the car is a 1996 960 3Ltr 24v with climate control, so it just keeps the car at the nice comfortable set temperature whatever it's doing outside. Running the aircon frequently keeps the system healthy and my system, at 22 years old, has only ever been recharged once, seven years ago when I had the compressor replaced. I check the charge every spring, but it just never seems to leak any refrigerant (now I've put my foot in it - it'll probably fail on me now!). As for the effect on fuel consumption, my car seems to be as fuel-efficient as is expected for a 3Ltr 960 and I've never really found it a problem.

A friend has a '96 S70 (I think that's what it is) & his A/C still blows ice cold. He did mock a bit when I had to replace the condenser on my (then) 8 year old C70 as his was still on the original condenser. "They don't make 'em like they used to"...

[FunkyMelon]

I just use mine when I need it.

The problem with setting a temperature and leaving it on AUTO is that it's just so bl**dy noisy all the time.

My S40 just wacks the fans on full and will keep it like that till it reaches the temperature I've set, then it dials back a bit, but never down to 'low' speeds which I'd like. It's just a primitive, annoying system IMO!

[civilservant]

Always use air con, except for the hot days where I enjoy the breeze and fresh air through the car. Naturally, there are occasions when it's too hot and I need air con to cool down.

Advice over the years is if you have air con, use it regularly.

[Montana]

Mines always on by default with the auto climate

[Christerart]

Originally Posted by Montana

Mines always on by default with the auto climate

Same here. I usually have mine checked every spring - makes me feel a lot better when I start out on the 1,100 mile trip to Sweden that all's ok and it'll be a comfortable trip.

[blueblock]

My Volvo is too old for air con, but I use it on the Seat if it ever starts misting up, and obviously when I need it proper cold. I also just run it once a week in the winter to stop it crapping out on me. At lower speeds I drive with the window open simply because I like the feeling of the air, but anything over 30 I put the AC on. The only slightly scary thing is that the car's 'eco monitor' informs me that with the AC on full cold, I'm using an extra half litre of fuel an hour! Usually I love extra pointless readouts on cars, but I feel like I could do without that one...

[Laird Scooby]

Just read this thread with interest and it's great to see so many people using A/C as it shoud be used - left on permanently and just alter the temperature and direction of the air from the system.

It dehumidifies the air in the car, making your carpets and upholstery last longer, preventing musty smells and also benefits the electronic items in the car such as the stereo, switches and the ECU and whatever else. As we all know, damp is the enemy of electronics and removing that damp from the air in the car with air con is a good move IMHO and also helps prevent dampness causing rust.

As for the age-old economy of windows Vs air-con debate, many moons ago i had a Nissan 300C with air-con - 3.0V6 auto. Whether i had the air-con on or off, that did 30mpg on general running about and 35mpg on a run, no matter what speeds, how heavy-footed, windows open or not, air-con on or not.
The Rover 827s i run now (as well as my 760 that doesn't currently have working air-con but will soon) show no difference whether the air-con is on or not, if there is a difference in economy i've yet to notice it and i would sacrifice that for keeping the air-con working so i can clear the screens quickly, cool down fast and so on.

[cheshired5]

Even if there was an economy issue when using ac (which I've never found) any fuel saving would be wiped out by repairs to a seldom used ac system.
I've had and used ac constantly for 25 years and never needed to do any maintenance other than the odd regas.