I'll rephrase my question. Are you able to get the system to automatically adjust the blower speed and temp in any mode other than "Auto"?
I don't need the compressor running when it's 60 outside, just send me warm air at the right speed and temp to reach the dialed in temp, but not waste fuel in doing so.
I'm not referring to the OFF button that shuts down the system. I just want the ATC to try and reach the desired temp (via fan speed and temp) without the compressor running (which only happens in Auto it seems) and thus putting additional load on the engine.
Example, in my 2012 JKU (and every other car I've owned, or currently own with ATC) I set a desired temp (72f), select Auto and can either turn the A/C on or off and the system will try and reach that temp without knowing or caring if the compressor is running. If it's 100f outside, it will blow hard and never reach it of course.
Example, it's 60f out and I want my sunroof open. I should be able to have the ATC reach a desired warmer temp without the needed fuel penalty of the compressor running.
The manual states that once you turn off Auto, you need to control the temp and fan speed manually, I've never had to do this with other cars equipped with ATC.
To answer your question, no. You cannot have it attempt to regulate the temperature automatically without having the AC on.
My previous car could do what you describe, and when I got my WK2 I was frustrated with this limitation. But then I learned to just "let go" and allow the computer to do its thing, at which it more or less succeeds.
BTW in modern cars the fuel efficiency penalty of running the AC is minimal at worst. Mythbusters did an episode on this.
this is my first vehicle with ATC, still coming to grips with how it wants to do things. I wish i can just have the vents open, or even just set a temp to blow the air.
My previous cars (c300, Acura ZDX, TL-S and TSX) all did the same. In Auto mode, they turned the AC on, from what I understand, that's to prevent moisture
My previous car had ECON button that would shutoff AC regardless of temp but Auto climate would still try to regulate the air temp w/o help from AC compressor.
I think you can turn the compressor off by going out of auto mode by pressing the A/C button which will light up and then pressing it again to turn the light off. The compressor is off, however, the entire system is also totally manual (fan settings, etc. remain where the system last had them in auto mode)
Ive been fortunate to have quite a few new cars with ATC in the last few years, both foreign and domestic, high-end and low-end. Ive rented dozens more. So far, this vehicle is the only one I have found that ATC will not set the fan speed and temp without running the compressor.
More and more manufacturers are going to electric accessories (electric power steering, cooling fan, A/C etc) because of the loss and the negative effect on mileage. In some underpowered cars, you can actually feel the compressor starting and stopping. I guess I need to watch the Mythbusters episode to see if they are right and all the auto manufacturers engineers are wrong...
I had a WRX that was the same as a WK2, except you could unsolder a wire in the unit to free yourself of this silly automaticity.. It worked perfectly.. Once the windows got moisture on them in the right conditions, you just hit the A/C button, and it turned it on. This was not an automatic heater though..
It's amazing that these cars have "a/c on/off" buttons that are not designed to work!
I cannot really tell any performance difference when a/c is on, but I too have had to just give up and forget about the A/C compressor slowly wearing out.. In my climate, I almost never need A/C. Oh well..
I like to turn my compressor off just before reaching my destination to give the ductwork time to "warm back up" so that no cool air is left in the ducts to invite that future musty smell that some cars get.