Rdcrow

The salesperson that sold me my NX mentioned that all Lexus cars have a compressor-based climate system and that the A/C compressor should be left on, even when you want heat. I've noticed that when the A/C compressor is off the heat doesn't come out as strong. Does anyone else leave the compressor on all the time?

philwojo

The only time I use the A/C in the winter is when I am trying to defrost/defog my windows, other than that I leave it off.

I will say though that we just got our 300h and this is our 1st Lexus, but we have had Toyota's for many years and that is how we have always done it without any issues.

Phil

Swacer

That would mean that it works simliar to a heat pump with a pilot valve for a house. When the valve is actuated, it runs in cooling mode, and when its not actuated, it runs in heat.

I've never heard that said before though, so I can't confirm or deny.

troyk

On all of our past Lexuses (Lexi?) lol, we always kept the A/C on in the winter since we always seem to feel that the heat is actually warmer with the A/C on.

4482

I had always heard that below a certain temperature the AC won't come on as a safety feature for the system ?

leej865

It's called auto climate control. Set the temp inside the car, and the system will use heat or A/C to modulate to that temperature. Even when it is 35 degrees outside, in the full sun, it can heat the car up...so if you set the interior temp to 70 degrees, if the sun makes the temp rise above this, the A/C will come on to get the temp back down to 70. This is nothing new...been in cars for decades.

Swacer

Actually that doesn't answer the question at all. The person above said their car gets WARMER with their air conditioner on as compared to it not being on.

leej865

In any case, if you are not using the auto-climate feature, then you are losing out on the intended purpose becaus It also modulates humidity, and that may be why the heat feels 'warmer' with the A/C on.

SC300Es

I've always thought having the AC on with heat kept the windows from fogging up, especially on rainy days.

Ed

ChrisJ74

A/C: Air CONDITIONING. That doesn't mean "cold". It conditions the air for requested settings.