2 gen ES

Does the AC get disabled when it gets below a given temperature?

Like my Buick Regal if the climate control display showed 32°f it would disable the AC until it was above that temp.

Or does the ES300 just let it run at any temp?

 

And this is why I don;t buy US cars, lol. Thats absolutly retarded.

There is not any Toyota or Lexus that I know of that does that. You have to be able to use the AC at low temps as well to defrost a window. You shouldn't have any issues.

 

I know that, according to the manual, the AC does not come on in the LS if the temperature is below 32 *F if you have the climate control set on Auto but you can always turn it on. Not sure about the ES when on auto but I'd imagine you can always turn it on manually if that's what you're asking.

 

Running the AC compressor during defrost mode is only helpful at temps above 32F. Above 32F when using the defrost you may be trying to clear fogged up windows and since the AC system dehumidifies the air. Running the AC compressor to dehumidify the air helps greatly in clearing the windows of moisture(fog).

Below 32F there is most likely frost on the window and all that is needed is heat. Below 32F the moisture content of air is relatively low so heat will clear the windows.

Another reason not to run the AC compressor at cold temperatures is to prevent possible damage to the system from lack of lubrication since the oil in the system may be thickened up due to the cold temperatures.

Typically the disabling is accomplished via a low pressure switch that opens when the refrigerant pressure is below approx 30psi.

On many systems when the under hood temperature rises enough to cause the refrigerant pressure to be above the switch point, the AC compressor will then operate.

It doesn't matter if it is an american car or not. The laws of refrigeration and physics apply equally.

 

I must disagree with Kz in TX..In the winter country the defront on the ES WILL engage the AC to defront the windows and lube the system..

I learned last year I cannot hit the button to run the "air" to the front window to defront at -15F...But the defront button worked...YMMV.

 

From my '05 Owner's Manual, page 188:

"The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature is lowered down to around 0d C (32d F)."

There is a point at which the AC will disable itself and not engage the compressor. It's a combination of incoming air temp and dew point. You also need to be concerned about the evaporator coil icing up.