Fly4u

I realize that, but the a/c compressor drains the battery* at a substantially greater rate while operating in electric drive. This is when I try to turn the a/c off. When the ICE engine is running the difference is minute.


*While the vehicles differ, my '10 Fusion Hybrid had a highly sensitive electric gage to monitor use. Obvious items such as the radio, internal lights, turn signals, etc were difficult to differentiate while operating. The a/c compresser took a significant hit as did the electric seats. Even the fog lamps and headlights were discernible.

MY100thcar

Yes it is

It is a pain in the A$$ to remove whatever function you are using on the screen just to shut off the AC and keep the fan running, then go and put back what you were using the screen for.........

ElliotB

FWIW, the difference in fuel usage on a typical tank of gas with the A/C on compared to the A/C off (for me) is about 1 gallon of gas, or about about $3.40 (in my area). I think I will leave the a/c on when it is hot and enjoy the cool air!

Also, FWIW, I notice one it is not extremely hot out, like early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun has set , having the A/C on has virtually no effect on fuel economy. The same is basically true when driving on the highway (even in the middle of the day when it is very hot)..

Arty101

ElliotB, since you're from hot and humid FL, of course you'd have the ac on all the time.

ElliotB

Actually, I've only started using the air conditioner over my last two tanks. Prior to that, I kept it off 98% of the time. The temperatures are actually quite moderate during the fall, winter and spring, and I like leaving my windows open with the air conditioner off. But is gotten pretty hot here now, and I am using it 100% of the time. I have learned a lot about the air conditioner over the last thousand miles. I have found the penalty for using the air conditioner to be minimal except during the middle of the day (which is obviously the hottest time of the day here, in the low 90s, and the air conditioner has to work at its hardest). Most interestingly, during other times of the day, when the temperature is in the high 70s, low 80s, there is virtually no mileage penalty (for me) for using the air conditioner - amazing!

I don't do a lot of highway mileage, but I believe on the highway there is virtually no loss in fuel economy for having the air conditioner on.

GTR31

Yeah i was annoyed that i had to go into climate to click on a/c using the mouse. But there's one solution that i came up with. When i get into my car and its really hot, i press the auto button, and the A/C comes on, and usually when its hot the fan will be on max power, so you can adjust that with the buttons with the a/c staying on. This probably wont work with the auto button, when the weather is a little cooler, but thats the only solution i came up with.

Arty101

I actually do the same - hit the auto button to turn on the AC, but will need to go thru the menu to turn it off. One small shortcut. This works whether its hot or cold.

LexVince

I found that if you hit the AC auto button a second time, it will turn off the AC and revert back to internal/external air circulation. Click it again (auto) to turn it on. I adjust the fax speed by using the fan buttons on the dash.

keyframe13

I am not sure but I think you can set up a voice command for that

Arty101

Key- Tried that, but couldn't find it on VC. VC is very limited on the ES, but maybe on the GS.

LexVince- Will have to try that. Good find.

Arty101

LexVince, hitting the Auto a second time doesn't turn off the AC for me. I still have to go to the menu. It was a nice try.

LexVince

Arty 101 - make sure that the green auto light is off. The AC will indeed be off. I've done it many times, and you should be able to do the same.

batwings

Thanks to LexVince, I figured out something that seems to work.

First, you have to make sure that the AC Auto On function (or whatever it's called) is set to off in the climate customization settings. Then, if you have the Auto button by the fan speed buttons set to on, you can toggle AC on and off using the air circulation button. If I hit the air circulation button and set it to outside air, the AC turns off. Cycling that button to re-circulate air and set to auto, the AC turns back on.

It would still be nice to have an AC button but this approach will work for me.

Marcust99

Awesome work guys thanks!!!!

Arty101

That may be the ticket. We'll try it out.