I always wonder about this, its kinda stupid question but since it bugs me for a while, I will just ask and take all the blames on me.

When I set up temparture "High" to make heater run and set strength **** at "Auto", my A/C light on the center of the **** is On.

Does it means my A/C is still waste my gas and make my car slower or just in case outside temparture gets lower than my temp. setup, it'll start running?
(I mean, as long as my setup temp. is higher than outside, A/C will not eat my gas/speed although A/C light is on?)

Thanks in advance, Sorry for my annoying question in advance also.

 

I've wondered this too. I assume it's not on unless it needs to cool the air even if the light is on but I'm not sure.

 

i was also wondering about this...i have it set to 75 degrees and it's cold out, so only heat should be coming on, but it defaults to the A/C light...i'm guessing it's only actual A/C if cold air needs to come out

 

Pretty sure the compressor is actually being employed to dry the air in order to prevent window fog up.

 

Yes the A/C compressor is still working and wasting gas. The purpose for leaving the A/C on is to dehumidify the air within the cabin, but this only works when you have you A/C set to recirrculate the air inside. If you want the outside air to warm then fill the cabin, leave the **** on outside air and turn the A/C button off. The benefits of recirrculating the inside air is that you don't have to smell all the pollution coming from other cars around you.

 

Thanks that I'm Not the only one who wondered about this.
And.. Thanks for the answer so I have to turn it off whenever I turn heater on.
It's so annoying that I have to do 3 things right after I get in my car.
1. Off "VDC
2. Hit "Yes, I agree" on my Nav screen
3. Off "A/C" to make only heater runs.

It's too much work to do to drive tiny Z.

 

IMO the a/c nanny is one of the most frustrating things on the z. Especially this time of year when I just want to vent outside air but not have the ac on. If I pass a foul smelling thing/area(grass being mowed, diesel truck etc.) I like to press the recirculate button till I pass the area. But when I do...the a/c automatically kicks on which annoys the heck out of me. All my past cars would let me recirculate cabin air without engaging the a/c.

 

SO don't have it on auto, leave it on manual and u'll never have to put the ac button off unless you select the defrost mode.

 

+1. The light ON means that the condenser is ON.

 

+2, If the AC didn't come on when you hit recirulate the air the windows would fog up. Its a safty feature.

 

you mean compressor

 

Like I said...the Z has an a/c nanny. Safety feature or not...it's just one more thing that takes control away from the driver. Imo if your windows start to fog and you don't know what steps to take...you don't need to be driving a car in the first place.

I've owned a chevy silverado, a ford f-150supercrew, a honda prelude, and dodge ram in the last 10 years. Every one of them would let you recirculate without a/c.