Automatic air con

[len112]

If I set the temperature and leave it on Auto I understand it maintains the cabin temp . However If I then switch off the AC and the temperature is still being displayed in the central dial what is happening ?

[Rickzayne]

auto does what it says... so if it gets to hot it will cool down with the AC

[DaveB]

The number displayed is the setting ("level of comfort", not temperature, according to the handbook). If you switch the AC off it will, as far as I know, still automatically control the temperature, but it won't maintain a temperature below ambient.

[Faxo]

I always turn the ac off and just have the auto do its stuff

[Bigfeet]

Err guys the auto and AC are the same thing.

Auto is just that, when it is running the car is in control of the vent supply and the fan speed in order to maintain the cabin temp. As an experiment try heathing the car up to maxium and then open the windows as speed, the auto system should kick in almost straight away!

AC is just the manual version of the auto system where you as the driver control the flow and speed.

[DaveB]

Err guys the auto and AC are the same thing.

Not quite! Auto will force AC on - switch AC off & you'll also switch auto off. In manual you have the choice of AC on or off.

[Owd git]

I'm convinced that mine maintains the set temperature (comfort level) with a/c off - except of course when it's hot weather

In other words auto temperature control does work with a/c off, but it can't reduce the temperature of the incoming air, if that is required

Did a two hour journey last weekend with a/c off and never moved the temp control from 22 - we were comfortable all the way and it was what, 7C outside?

[Bigfeet]

Not quite! Auto will force AC on - switch AC off & you'll also switch auto off. In manual you have the choice of AC on or off.

Exactly! The Auto runs the AC to maintain temperature, if you switch the Auto off the AC is off as well. When you go manual the AC continues at the temperature you set, thats the difference.

Hence the Auto and AC are the same, it's just one option maintains and one option doesn't.

[DaveB]

Exactly! The Auto runs the AC to maintain temperature, if you switch the Auto off the AC is off as well. When you go manual the AC continues at the temperature you set, thats the difference.

Hence the Auto and AC are the same, it's just one option maintains and one option doesn't.

OK, here's how mine works:

With it set to auto, press the distribution button. That takes it out of auto & displays where the air is directed to, but AC stays on; I can now switch AC off & on again without any effect on the distribution settings & it doesn't go back into auto.

With it set to auto, press the AC button to turn Ac off. That takes it out of auto but none of the distribution arrows shows. Press the AC button to turn AC back on & it goes back into auto.

So, as I see it, AC & auto are not the same thing - they are two different but interrelated functions. You can have AC without auto, but not vice-versa.

[MDUBS]

LMAO:

If you change the pattern of air distribution or turn the aircon off you are by those very acts preventing the car form automatically controlling the climate in the car i.e. you manually intervened.

If you then switch aircon on and off it is only going to do exactly that - why would anyone call a system auto and design it to kick in if the user is either A) continuoulsy adjusting the settings or has B) decided that they can do a better job themselves by manually controlling the climate? :confused:

Auto and aircon are of course 2 different things but very much related. Auto uses the aircon and distribution to maintain the climate at a constant level, change a setting other than temperature and auto will be deactivated.

edit: i'd thought i'd better check just in case i was spouting sh....

http://ds3club.co.uk/showthread.php?...-Owners-Manual

comfort >> auto air conditioning

[Bigfeet]

Lol!

This is what I was trying to say! Both are using AC but one is 'automated' where the other is 'manual'

[Bromie]

Sorry to dig up an old thread but I got my DS3 (Shark grey/black roof 120 Dstyle+) a week ago today, and I was wondering the exact same thing.

I had the same thought as Owd Git - when I press Auto the A/C turns on and I can set the temperature as normal, or obviously I can set everything manually. I know that A/C uses more fuel, so I don't see the point in using it unless necessary, i.e. in hot weather.

I know that someone mentioned that the car uses the A/C to maintain the temperature, but why does it need A/C this time of year when I need warm air? I'm guessing it's to prevent condensation as the manual seems to talk as if the A/C should be on constantly (which is the opposite to how I'm used to thinking).

So when I put the heating on Auto I turn the A/C off. The heating still functions automatically as far as I can tell - it waits until the car has warmed up slightly before turning the fans up, turns the fans back down when the car has warmed up, directs air to the relevant parts of the car (feet/windscreen when warm, face when cold), etc.

So is the heating still actually in Auto even though I've turned the A/C off? I haven't messed with the distribution settings and the car still seems to function in Auto. I suppose it would make more sense if the car selectively used the A/C when needed, even it it displayed 'A/C' constantly.

[lfcrule1972]

I tend to keep the auto on mine, previous cars were keen to point out that ac should be used in the winter as well to keep the system working properly. To be fair doing that in my last car I had no ac issues in five years

[DickiJ]

Also keeping the AC on during the winter will help prevent moisture dragged into the car by wet shoes from condensating on the windows during the nights

[Chris_Blue]

AC uses more fuel- bout 5-10% more depending on weather conditions
I always turn off the air con 10-15 mins before arrival at destination- as it keeps chilling anyways
CBLUE