I do it but I'm getting lazy lately since I use the touch screen instead of the auto button. I just don't want the compressor to run the same time engine is being fired. I heard that's not very ideal in the long run?

How about you CL?

 

I switch mine from recirculate to fresh air mode a few mins before reaching home.
And while parking I turn the AC off.

I try to give it as much time to dry the evap as possible.
Though I know ideally I should just have it running in fan mode only a few mins... but "ain't nobody got time for that" lol.

I'd say fresh air mode and turn off ac at the least, so that when you restart the car you're not getting all of that built up mildew smell from the evap blowing into the car at start up.

 

Yeah so it wont stink. I barely use my AC. But when i do, i forget -__-

 

No. I turn off the A/C compressor in winter, but during the warmer months I just leave it set to "auto".

 

I always leave mine on auto and never turn it off. I have never had an issue.

 

No issues, never did anything. Set it and forget it. 155K miles.

 

set and forget for all my cars.

 

I also try to do this as often as I can because I don't like the smelly mildew. I am not 100% sure but I believe modern AC systems have electronics/control/relays that prevent damage to the systems if leave ON when Start/Stop the engine.

 

I live in central CA so its pretty damn hot so I use it daily and rarely turn it off except when i get home late from work. I have also never had any problems with it

 

Mine stays in auto all year long and I never have any issues or smells. I think you guys are overthinking things.

 

Besides sometimes remembering to switch to fresh air upon start-up, the A/C stays on. Never any issues to speak of.

 

When you use defrost it also runs the compressor to dry out the air blowing on the windshield. Even though you're not turning on the A/C you're still using the compressor. Anyways it's good to use it once in a while to keep the oil circulated and the seals oiled up.

 

Agree with all the above - going on 90,000 miles.

 

It depends on ambient temperature. It runs the compressor with defrost in warmer temperatures, but not when the mercury dips below freezing.

Probably true, though my car is going to be ten years old in a couple months, and the A/C still gets the cabin cold enough to hang meat, so I must be doing something right.

 

Ditto. Caution this caution that just drive