I have noticed lately that even though the AC is not turned on (light is off), it seems as though the AC is still running and cools down the interior when turning the temp down. Is there a known issue with this?
The "auto" function is always off. the other day when it was 80 outside, I set it to 65 because I had the windows down and it seemed to blow cold AC air rather then the regular "vent" air.
The other day, my wife had her side to the max temp while I was trying to cool down to about 68 degrees...nothing seemed to be working...it was set on auto..was the temperature difference the reason it didn't seem to be working? We are complete opposites when it comes to temperature in cars hahah...
to the OP, did you have it on defrost maybe? I know in my other vehicles if defrost is on it uses AC...
In most automotive systems the AC is used even in cooler conditions to dehumidify the air before it is then heated. This keeps the windows from fogging up.
even when the AC and auto functions are not turned on? With my previous vehicles...tahoe, Acura TL, infiniti G35, I would keep the AC turned off and set the dual climates to "low" or 65 when driving with windows/roof open and it would always circulate regular outside air. With the WK2, it seems to circulate cold AC air. For example when I turn on the AC button during this, the air does not change...it stays the same because it is already blowing cold AC air.
Nope, it doesn't matter if it's bi-level, floor, mix, etc. the A/C seems to always kick in...Today on the way home for work it was 72 outside, so I set it to "low" first and it did nothing but blow very cold air. I then set it to 72 and it continued to blow very cold air and this is with set on the panel setting. When I got home I popped the hood and sure enough, the a/c compressor was consistently cycling on and off. I also used a thermometer and the air coming out of the vents did not vary between AC "on" and "off". Bottom line is the A/C is always running regardless of setting.
Another thing to add to the list when I take it to dealer.
So, I'm not completely nuts. I had experienced the same thing and just figured I'd have to dig into the owner's manual to figure it out. In fiddling around with the system, I could not find any manual settings that affected the operation of the AC.
With almost any 'auto HVAC' system, the A/C will continue to function all the way down to about 35 degrees Fahrenheit at with point the system is unable to 'compress' the freon (R134a).
There are some systems that run the compressor even though the temp drops below freezing (Subaru), I don't recall the reason.
The manufacturers have programmed this to prevent condensation on the interior windows due to temperature differences between the inside and outside.
In the 'old' days, it was a big deal to turn off the A/C because of the power drain to early 'smog' motors (when V8s put out about as much HP as modern small 4 cylinders). Since then engines have become much more powerful and A/C systems have become much more efficient such that it is no longer considered a parasitic drag on the motor.
Usually if you turn off the system then use a button OTHER THAN the 'auto' button to turn it on (say for venting with the windows open) you can press the A/C button to turn it on (lights up) and then again to turn it off (light off). In theory you should then only have ventilation with no A/C, but then again maybe not. All depends on how they programed the HVAC system.
I swore the other day I felt the compressor kick on and off at a stop light. I reckon when in "Auto" mode, the A/C is on. In my other car, the A/C light comes on when "Auto" is pressed. I'm sure it's the same here.
You could probably just hit the A/C button twice (to "officially" turn it on and then turn it off). That would leave auto fan and vent settings intact while ensuring A/C is off.