How To Maximize Your Climate Control System’s Effectiveness
8
Sponsored Links
With the summer now in full swing and many western states experiencing higher than usual temperatures, more and more people will be relying on their vehicle’s climate control system to keep them cool while out on the road. To help these motorists out, the experts over at Consumer Reports have put together a helpful list of ways to maximize a vehicle’s climate control system to keep occupants cool and to maximize vehicle efficiency when running the A/C.
According to CR, it’s important to always set the air conditioning temperature to its lowest possible level. This is because setting the system to the lowest temp will make the A/C more efficient, will dry out the air less and will actually save fuel. This is because setting the A/C to a middle-of-ground temperature forces the system to reheat the air it has already cooled, which uses more fuel in the long run.
Another important tip is to turn off your vehicle’s automatic start-stop system. While this feature is mainly designed for saving fuel, it will prevent the A/C compressor from running when the engine shuts off at stop signs, stoplights or when stuck in traffic.
Similarly, CR suggests turning off the recirculation mode for the A/C system when the rear seats are occupied, which pulls the air from the front of the cabin and pumps it back through the A/C system. Turning recirculation on can leave back-seat passengers feeling hot and humid, so this is a tip that’s particularly important for those with families or those who drive for ride-sharing companies.
Finally, CR suggests vehicle owners inspect and, if needed, replace their vehicle’s cabin air filter. A dirty cabin air filter can prevent optimal airflow and can also give A/C air a musty smell.
With these tips in mind, American motorists should be able to keep cool on even the hottest and most humid days this summer.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more General Motors news coverage.
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible. Details here.
Sponsored Links
Set the temperature to the lowest setting? I’d have to wear a parka and heated gloves. And don’t most cars cycle the compressor on and off to control temps, rather than reheating already cooled air? Even if they are reheating the air, the reheating comes from waste heat from the coolant, so it’s basically free.
CR once again spews nonsense. If you don’t want reheat, then set both sides to the same temperature, i.e. hit the sync button. The system cools air to the lowest temperature needed then reheats the air on the hotter side, which as mentioned, is waste heat anyway. They fail at basic automotive knowledge.
You should set the temperature to what you want and leave it there. It doesn’t actually change anything to turn it lower than desired, the control loops figure it out. GM officially says this.
This article is pure nonsense; CR should stick to washing machines.
CR neglected to mention these recommendations are for cars 30 yrs and older if your ac still works.
Interesting to see a TourX as the headline picture.
Who needs ac when you can just open the windows of your car and have air blasting at you like a fan.
That will never help with humidity.