2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
cheg wrote:
> *** Update ***
>
>
>>Hello
>
>
>
>>5 years ago I bought an Accent GSi. I got it in the middle of winter,
>
> and I noticed that everytime I turned on the defog mode, the a/c light
> would come on. I got the dealership to disconnect that since I was
> under the impression the a/c compressor sucks a lot of gas.
>
>
>
>>I just picked up my Tuc a few days ago and noticed it does the exact
>
> same thing. Does the a/c thing affect gas consumption when heat is
> blowing out instead of cold air? Can I disconnect this without having
> to go to the dealership? Should I not bother?
>
>
>
>>Thanks for your input
>
>
>
>>Alex
>
>
>
> Unlike my previous car, I found out this morning that I simply had to
> press the a/c to disengage it! On the Accent, you could press all you
> wanted on the a/c switch but it would always be on. Anyway, I'll be
> testing it in the next few days and keep you all informed.
Pressing the A/C button only toggles the light on the button. I has no
effect on the compressor, which remains engaged. That is, unless you're
driving a Canadian-spec car.
> *** Update ***
>
>
>>Hello
>
>
>
>>5 years ago I bought an Accent GSi. I got it in the middle of winter,
>
> and I noticed that everytime I turned on the defog mode, the a/c light
> would come on. I got the dealership to disconnect that since I was
> under the impression the a/c compressor sucks a lot of gas.
>
>
>
>>I just picked up my Tuc a few days ago and noticed it does the exact
>
> same thing. Does the a/c thing affect gas consumption when heat is
> blowing out instead of cold air? Can I disconnect this without having
> to go to the dealership? Should I not bother?
>
>
>
>>Thanks for your input
>
>
>
>>Alex
>
>
>
> Unlike my previous car, I found out this morning that I simply had to
> press the a/c to disengage it! On the Accent, you could press all you
> wanted on the a/c switch but it would always be on. Anyway, I'll be
> testing it in the next few days and keep you all informed.
Pressing the A/C button only toggles the light on the button. I has no
effect on the compressor, which remains engaged. That is, unless you're
driving a Canadian-spec car.
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Victor A. Garcia wrote:
> Elantra 02, and Santa Fe 03, they both work same way, push the buttom, A/C
> goes OFF.
All it's doing is turning off the light on the switch. It doesn't affect
the A/C compressor.
> It's a nice feature , here in Florida, were the humidity is always high,
> maybe not so much in the frigid norther tundra .....
That's exactly the point. What works great in Florida is less than ideal
in New Hampshire.
> Elantra 02, and Santa Fe 03, they both work same way, push the buttom, A/C
> goes OFF.
All it's doing is turning off the light on the switch. It doesn't affect
the A/C compressor.
> It's a nice feature , here in Florida, were the humidity is always high,
> maybe not so much in the frigid norther tundra .....
That's exactly the point. What works great in Florida is less than ideal
in New Hampshire.
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Victor A. Garcia wrote:
> Elantra 02, and Santa Fe 03, they both work same way, push the buttom, A/C
> goes OFF.
All it's doing is turning off the light on the switch. It doesn't affect
the A/C compressor.
> It's a nice feature , here in Florida, were the humidity is always high,
> maybe not so much in the frigid norther tundra .....
That's exactly the point. What works great in Florida is less than ideal
in New Hampshire.
> Elantra 02, and Santa Fe 03, they both work same way, push the buttom, A/C
> goes OFF.
All it's doing is turning off the light on the switch. It doesn't affect
the A/C compressor.
> It's a nice feature , here in Florida, were the humidity is always high,
> maybe not so much in the frigid norther tundra .....
That's exactly the point. What works great in Florida is less than ideal
in New Hampshire.
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Victor A. Garcia wrote:
> Elantra 02, and Santa Fe 03, they both work same way, push the buttom, A/C
> goes OFF.
All it's doing is turning off the light on the switch. It doesn't affect
the A/C compressor.
> It's a nice feature , here in Florida, were the humidity is always high,
> maybe not so much in the frigid norther tundra .....
That's exactly the point. What works great in Florida is less than ideal
in New Hampshire.
> Elantra 02, and Santa Fe 03, they both work same way, push the buttom, A/C
> goes OFF.
All it's doing is turning off the light on the switch. It doesn't affect
the A/C compressor.
> It's a nice feature , here in Florida, were the humidity is always high,
> maybe not so much in the frigid norther tundra .....
That's exactly the point. What works great in Florida is less than ideal
in New Hampshire.
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Brian Nystrom wrote:
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>>
>>> Having the A/C compressor running costs me at least 3 mpg in my
>>> Elantra. IMO, that's unacceptable for a "feature" that I don't even
>>> want.
>>
>>
>>
>> Something is seriously wrong then with your vehicle. I've never seen
>> the AC consume even 1 MPG on a modern car. Actually, on my minivans
>> and pickup, I can't even tell the difference between using AC and
>> not. I check every tank MPG all year around and the extra gas used by
>> the AC in the summer is lost in the noise of the MPG readings.
>
>
> Sorry Matt, but I'm not buying that and I've never heard anyone else
> make such a claim. An A/C compressor takes several horspower to run,
> which does impact fuel mileage. There is still a debate about whether
> rolling down the windows reduces fuel mileage more than using the A/C,
> but there is no debate about the fact that either one reduces fuel mileage.
I can send you copies of more than 10 years worth of MPG data...
I never said it doesn't consume extra fuel, and actually said just the
opposite. However, you are talking about what a 10-15% reduction in
fuel mileage? I don't know what your Elantra yields normally so I'm
just estimating here.
In city driving, this amount of reduction is probably easily possible as
the AC consumes about the same amount of power per hour, regardless of
distance traveled. However, on the highway, this is a terribly high
figure. Then again, maybe Chrysler and GM have more efficient AC than
Hyundai. I know GM for years was the world leader in AC technology.
> Perhaps you do a lot more city driving than I do, where the mileage drop
> is less obvious, but a 3 mpg drop on the highway is normal.
Actually, just the opposite is true. AC consumes roughly a constant
amount of power per unit time. At slow city speeds when the vehicle is
using less fuel per unit time, the AC consumption will be a much higher
percentage of the total.
Matt
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>>
>>> Having the A/C compressor running costs me at least 3 mpg in my
>>> Elantra. IMO, that's unacceptable for a "feature" that I don't even
>>> want.
>>
>>
>>
>> Something is seriously wrong then with your vehicle. I've never seen
>> the AC consume even 1 MPG on a modern car. Actually, on my minivans
>> and pickup, I can't even tell the difference between using AC and
>> not. I check every tank MPG all year around and the extra gas used by
>> the AC in the summer is lost in the noise of the MPG readings.
>
>
> Sorry Matt, but I'm not buying that and I've never heard anyone else
> make such a claim. An A/C compressor takes several horspower to run,
> which does impact fuel mileage. There is still a debate about whether
> rolling down the windows reduces fuel mileage more than using the A/C,
> but there is no debate about the fact that either one reduces fuel mileage.
I can send you copies of more than 10 years worth of MPG data...
I never said it doesn't consume extra fuel, and actually said just the
opposite. However, you are talking about what a 10-15% reduction in
fuel mileage? I don't know what your Elantra yields normally so I'm
just estimating here.
In city driving, this amount of reduction is probably easily possible as
the AC consumes about the same amount of power per hour, regardless of
distance traveled. However, on the highway, this is a terribly high
figure. Then again, maybe Chrysler and GM have more efficient AC than
Hyundai. I know GM for years was the world leader in AC technology.
> Perhaps you do a lot more city driving than I do, where the mileage drop
> is less obvious, but a 3 mpg drop on the highway is normal.
Actually, just the opposite is true. AC consumes roughly a constant
amount of power per unit time. At slow city speeds when the vehicle is
using less fuel per unit time, the AC consumption will be a much higher
percentage of the total.
Matt
#51
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Brian Nystrom wrote:
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>>
>>> Having the A/C compressor running costs me at least 3 mpg in my
>>> Elantra. IMO, that's unacceptable for a "feature" that I don't even
>>> want.
>>
>>
>>
>> Something is seriously wrong then with your vehicle. I've never seen
>> the AC consume even 1 MPG on a modern car. Actually, on my minivans
>> and pickup, I can't even tell the difference between using AC and
>> not. I check every tank MPG all year around and the extra gas used by
>> the AC in the summer is lost in the noise of the MPG readings.
>
>
> Sorry Matt, but I'm not buying that and I've never heard anyone else
> make such a claim. An A/C compressor takes several horspower to run,
> which does impact fuel mileage. There is still a debate about whether
> rolling down the windows reduces fuel mileage more than using the A/C,
> but there is no debate about the fact that either one reduces fuel mileage.
I can send you copies of more than 10 years worth of MPG data...
I never said it doesn't consume extra fuel, and actually said just the
opposite. However, you are talking about what a 10-15% reduction in
fuel mileage? I don't know what your Elantra yields normally so I'm
just estimating here.
In city driving, this amount of reduction is probably easily possible as
the AC consumes about the same amount of power per hour, regardless of
distance traveled. However, on the highway, this is a terribly high
figure. Then again, maybe Chrysler and GM have more efficient AC than
Hyundai. I know GM for years was the world leader in AC technology.
> Perhaps you do a lot more city driving than I do, where the mileage drop
> is less obvious, but a 3 mpg drop on the highway is normal.
Actually, just the opposite is true. AC consumes roughly a constant
amount of power per unit time. At slow city speeds when the vehicle is
using less fuel per unit time, the AC consumption will be a much higher
percentage of the total.
Matt
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>>
>>> Having the A/C compressor running costs me at least 3 mpg in my
>>> Elantra. IMO, that's unacceptable for a "feature" that I don't even
>>> want.
>>
>>
>>
>> Something is seriously wrong then with your vehicle. I've never seen
>> the AC consume even 1 MPG on a modern car. Actually, on my minivans
>> and pickup, I can't even tell the difference between using AC and
>> not. I check every tank MPG all year around and the extra gas used by
>> the AC in the summer is lost in the noise of the MPG readings.
>
>
> Sorry Matt, but I'm not buying that and I've never heard anyone else
> make such a claim. An A/C compressor takes several horspower to run,
> which does impact fuel mileage. There is still a debate about whether
> rolling down the windows reduces fuel mileage more than using the A/C,
> but there is no debate about the fact that either one reduces fuel mileage.
I can send you copies of more than 10 years worth of MPG data...
I never said it doesn't consume extra fuel, and actually said just the
opposite. However, you are talking about what a 10-15% reduction in
fuel mileage? I don't know what your Elantra yields normally so I'm
just estimating here.
In city driving, this amount of reduction is probably easily possible as
the AC consumes about the same amount of power per hour, regardless of
distance traveled. However, on the highway, this is a terribly high
figure. Then again, maybe Chrysler and GM have more efficient AC than
Hyundai. I know GM for years was the world leader in AC technology.
> Perhaps you do a lot more city driving than I do, where the mileage drop
> is less obvious, but a 3 mpg drop on the highway is normal.
Actually, just the opposite is true. AC consumes roughly a constant
amount of power per unit time. At slow city speeds when the vehicle is
using less fuel per unit time, the AC consumption will be a much higher
percentage of the total.
Matt
#52
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Brian Nystrom wrote:
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>>
>>> Having the A/C compressor running costs me at least 3 mpg in my
>>> Elantra. IMO, that's unacceptable for a "feature" that I don't even
>>> want.
>>
>>
>>
>> Something is seriously wrong then with your vehicle. I've never seen
>> the AC consume even 1 MPG on a modern car. Actually, on my minivans
>> and pickup, I can't even tell the difference between using AC and
>> not. I check every tank MPG all year around and the extra gas used by
>> the AC in the summer is lost in the noise of the MPG readings.
>
>
> Sorry Matt, but I'm not buying that and I've never heard anyone else
> make such a claim. An A/C compressor takes several horspower to run,
> which does impact fuel mileage. There is still a debate about whether
> rolling down the windows reduces fuel mileage more than using the A/C,
> but there is no debate about the fact that either one reduces fuel mileage.
I can send you copies of more than 10 years worth of MPG data...
I never said it doesn't consume extra fuel, and actually said just the
opposite. However, you are talking about what a 10-15% reduction in
fuel mileage? I don't know what your Elantra yields normally so I'm
just estimating here.
In city driving, this amount of reduction is probably easily possible as
the AC consumes about the same amount of power per hour, regardless of
distance traveled. However, on the highway, this is a terribly high
figure. Then again, maybe Chrysler and GM have more efficient AC than
Hyundai. I know GM for years was the world leader in AC technology.
> Perhaps you do a lot more city driving than I do, where the mileage drop
> is less obvious, but a 3 mpg drop on the highway is normal.
Actually, just the opposite is true. AC consumes roughly a constant
amount of power per unit time. At slow city speeds when the vehicle is
using less fuel per unit time, the AC consumption will be a much higher
percentage of the total.
Matt
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Brian Nystrom wrote:
>>
>>> Having the A/C compressor running costs me at least 3 mpg in my
>>> Elantra. IMO, that's unacceptable for a "feature" that I don't even
>>> want.
>>
>>
>>
>> Something is seriously wrong then with your vehicle. I've never seen
>> the AC consume even 1 MPG on a modern car. Actually, on my minivans
>> and pickup, I can't even tell the difference between using AC and
>> not. I check every tank MPG all year around and the extra gas used by
>> the AC in the summer is lost in the noise of the MPG readings.
>
>
> Sorry Matt, but I'm not buying that and I've never heard anyone else
> make such a claim. An A/C compressor takes several horspower to run,
> which does impact fuel mileage. There is still a debate about whether
> rolling down the windows reduces fuel mileage more than using the A/C,
> but there is no debate about the fact that either one reduces fuel mileage.
I can send you copies of more than 10 years worth of MPG data...
I never said it doesn't consume extra fuel, and actually said just the
opposite. However, you are talking about what a 10-15% reduction in
fuel mileage? I don't know what your Elantra yields normally so I'm
just estimating here.
In city driving, this amount of reduction is probably easily possible as
the AC consumes about the same amount of power per hour, regardless of
distance traveled. However, on the highway, this is a terribly high
figure. Then again, maybe Chrysler and GM have more efficient AC than
Hyundai. I know GM for years was the world leader in AC technology.
> Perhaps you do a lot more city driving than I do, where the mileage drop
> is less obvious, but a 3 mpg drop on the highway is normal.
Actually, just the opposite is true. AC consumes roughly a constant
amount of power per unit time. At slow city speeds when the vehicle is
using less fuel per unit time, the AC consumption will be a much higher
percentage of the total.
Matt
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Brian Nystrom wrote:
> Don Allen wrote:
>
>> This "feature" has been in place with most automobiles since the early
>> '90s. However, the majority of vehicles disable the AC compressor
>> below a certain temperature not only to protect the compressor due to
>> low ambient temps, but also not to degrade the defrosting abililty. In
>> my 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan ES it disables the compressor when the
>> outside ambient temp is below 30 degrees F. The AC light is on when
>> the outside temp is below 30 degrees, but the compressor is disengaged.
>> I haven't tested this on our new 2006 Elantra, but I would be very
>> suprised if this is not the case with Hyundai as well. Otherwise, all
>> of us who own Hyundai's will be replacing AC compressors at a rapid
>> rate!
>>
>> Turning on the AC in the defrost mode helps the defogging ability of a
>> defroster tremendously by removing the interior humidity.
>
>
> That's true, but only IF you need it. It's not always necessary.
>
>> Assuming the
>> disengagement of the AC compressor at low temps, this is actually very
>> good engineering.
>>
> The devil is in the details. In the Elantra, it doesn't cut out at a
> high enough temp to suit me. It definitely adversely affects the
> defroster's ability to keep the outside of the windshield free of snow
> and ice, especially when the temp is just below the freezing mark.
Yes, I have noticed that my Sonata isn't very good at defrosting. Then
again, it isn't very good at heating in general. The interesting thing
is that both my 94 Chevy pickup and my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan have this
same "automatic" AC in the defrost position feature, and they both defog
and defrost exceptionally well. The Chevy is slower to start defrosting
as it has a much larger cast iron engine that takes a while to heat up,
but once warm it will make the water on the windshield turn to steam
when you stop at a light.
Personally, I think this is more of poor HVAC design on Hyundai's part,
than a poor idea in general.
> Additionally, I object to being FORCED to use the defroster this way. I
> used to use the A/C combined with the heater or defroster in my ex-wifes
> car WHEN I NEEDED IT, but you don't have the option to choose when to
> use it in the Elantra. Well, at least you don't in a stock Elantra.
> After the modification I made, I can control mine and use it only when
> it's beneficial.
Yes, I personally prefer to have more things manual than automatic,
which is why I drive a stick shift. However, I have become used to
having automatic timing advance, automatic mixture control and automatic
fuel injection for cold starts... :-)
Matt
> Don Allen wrote:
>
>> This "feature" has been in place with most automobiles since the early
>> '90s. However, the majority of vehicles disable the AC compressor
>> below a certain temperature not only to protect the compressor due to
>> low ambient temps, but also not to degrade the defrosting abililty. In
>> my 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan ES it disables the compressor when the
>> outside ambient temp is below 30 degrees F. The AC light is on when
>> the outside temp is below 30 degrees, but the compressor is disengaged.
>> I haven't tested this on our new 2006 Elantra, but I would be very
>> suprised if this is not the case with Hyundai as well. Otherwise, all
>> of us who own Hyundai's will be replacing AC compressors at a rapid
>> rate!
>>
>> Turning on the AC in the defrost mode helps the defogging ability of a
>> defroster tremendously by removing the interior humidity.
>
>
> That's true, but only IF you need it. It's not always necessary.
>
>> Assuming the
>> disengagement of the AC compressor at low temps, this is actually very
>> good engineering.
>>
> The devil is in the details. In the Elantra, it doesn't cut out at a
> high enough temp to suit me. It definitely adversely affects the
> defroster's ability to keep the outside of the windshield free of snow
> and ice, especially when the temp is just below the freezing mark.
Yes, I have noticed that my Sonata isn't very good at defrosting. Then
again, it isn't very good at heating in general. The interesting thing
is that both my 94 Chevy pickup and my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan have this
same "automatic" AC in the defrost position feature, and they both defog
and defrost exceptionally well. The Chevy is slower to start defrosting
as it has a much larger cast iron engine that takes a while to heat up,
but once warm it will make the water on the windshield turn to steam
when you stop at a light.
Personally, I think this is more of poor HVAC design on Hyundai's part,
than a poor idea in general.
> Additionally, I object to being FORCED to use the defroster this way. I
> used to use the A/C combined with the heater or defroster in my ex-wifes
> car WHEN I NEEDED IT, but you don't have the option to choose when to
> use it in the Elantra. Well, at least you don't in a stock Elantra.
> After the modification I made, I can control mine and use it only when
> it's beneficial.
Yes, I personally prefer to have more things manual than automatic,
which is why I drive a stick shift. However, I have become used to
having automatic timing advance, automatic mixture control and automatic
fuel injection for cold starts... :-)
Matt
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Brian Nystrom wrote:
> Don Allen wrote:
>
>> This "feature" has been in place with most automobiles since the early
>> '90s. However, the majority of vehicles disable the AC compressor
>> below a certain temperature not only to protect the compressor due to
>> low ambient temps, but also not to degrade the defrosting abililty. In
>> my 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan ES it disables the compressor when the
>> outside ambient temp is below 30 degrees F. The AC light is on when
>> the outside temp is below 30 degrees, but the compressor is disengaged.
>> I haven't tested this on our new 2006 Elantra, but I would be very
>> suprised if this is not the case with Hyundai as well. Otherwise, all
>> of us who own Hyundai's will be replacing AC compressors at a rapid
>> rate!
>>
>> Turning on the AC in the defrost mode helps the defogging ability of a
>> defroster tremendously by removing the interior humidity.
>
>
> That's true, but only IF you need it. It's not always necessary.
>
>> Assuming the
>> disengagement of the AC compressor at low temps, this is actually very
>> good engineering.
>>
> The devil is in the details. In the Elantra, it doesn't cut out at a
> high enough temp to suit me. It definitely adversely affects the
> defroster's ability to keep the outside of the windshield free of snow
> and ice, especially when the temp is just below the freezing mark.
Yes, I have noticed that my Sonata isn't very good at defrosting. Then
again, it isn't very good at heating in general. The interesting thing
is that both my 94 Chevy pickup and my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan have this
same "automatic" AC in the defrost position feature, and they both defog
and defrost exceptionally well. The Chevy is slower to start defrosting
as it has a much larger cast iron engine that takes a while to heat up,
but once warm it will make the water on the windshield turn to steam
when you stop at a light.
Personally, I think this is more of poor HVAC design on Hyundai's part,
than a poor idea in general.
> Additionally, I object to being FORCED to use the defroster this way. I
> used to use the A/C combined with the heater or defroster in my ex-wifes
> car WHEN I NEEDED IT, but you don't have the option to choose when to
> use it in the Elantra. Well, at least you don't in a stock Elantra.
> After the modification I made, I can control mine and use it only when
> it's beneficial.
Yes, I personally prefer to have more things manual than automatic,
which is why I drive a stick shift. However, I have become used to
having automatic timing advance, automatic mixture control and automatic
fuel injection for cold starts... :-)
Matt
> Don Allen wrote:
>
>> This "feature" has been in place with most automobiles since the early
>> '90s. However, the majority of vehicles disable the AC compressor
>> below a certain temperature not only to protect the compressor due to
>> low ambient temps, but also not to degrade the defrosting abililty. In
>> my 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan ES it disables the compressor when the
>> outside ambient temp is below 30 degrees F. The AC light is on when
>> the outside temp is below 30 degrees, but the compressor is disengaged.
>> I haven't tested this on our new 2006 Elantra, but I would be very
>> suprised if this is not the case with Hyundai as well. Otherwise, all
>> of us who own Hyundai's will be replacing AC compressors at a rapid
>> rate!
>>
>> Turning on the AC in the defrost mode helps the defogging ability of a
>> defroster tremendously by removing the interior humidity.
>
>
> That's true, but only IF you need it. It's not always necessary.
>
>> Assuming the
>> disengagement of the AC compressor at low temps, this is actually very
>> good engineering.
>>
> The devil is in the details. In the Elantra, it doesn't cut out at a
> high enough temp to suit me. It definitely adversely affects the
> defroster's ability to keep the outside of the windshield free of snow
> and ice, especially when the temp is just below the freezing mark.
Yes, I have noticed that my Sonata isn't very good at defrosting. Then
again, it isn't very good at heating in general. The interesting thing
is that both my 94 Chevy pickup and my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan have this
same "automatic" AC in the defrost position feature, and they both defog
and defrost exceptionally well. The Chevy is slower to start defrosting
as it has a much larger cast iron engine that takes a while to heat up,
but once warm it will make the water on the windshield turn to steam
when you stop at a light.
Personally, I think this is more of poor HVAC design on Hyundai's part,
than a poor idea in general.
> Additionally, I object to being FORCED to use the defroster this way. I
> used to use the A/C combined with the heater or defroster in my ex-wifes
> car WHEN I NEEDED IT, but you don't have the option to choose when to
> use it in the Elantra. Well, at least you don't in a stock Elantra.
> After the modification I made, I can control mine and use it only when
> it's beneficial.
Yes, I personally prefer to have more things manual than automatic,
which is why I drive a stick shift. However, I have become used to
having automatic timing advance, automatic mixture control and automatic
fuel injection for cold starts... :-)
Matt
#55
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Brian Nystrom wrote:
> Don Allen wrote:
>
>> This "feature" has been in place with most automobiles since the early
>> '90s. However, the majority of vehicles disable the AC compressor
>> below a certain temperature not only to protect the compressor due to
>> low ambient temps, but also not to degrade the defrosting abililty. In
>> my 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan ES it disables the compressor when the
>> outside ambient temp is below 30 degrees F. The AC light is on when
>> the outside temp is below 30 degrees, but the compressor is disengaged.
>> I haven't tested this on our new 2006 Elantra, but I would be very
>> suprised if this is not the case with Hyundai as well. Otherwise, all
>> of us who own Hyundai's will be replacing AC compressors at a rapid
>> rate!
>>
>> Turning on the AC in the defrost mode helps the defogging ability of a
>> defroster tremendously by removing the interior humidity.
>
>
> That's true, but only IF you need it. It's not always necessary.
>
>> Assuming the
>> disengagement of the AC compressor at low temps, this is actually very
>> good engineering.
>>
> The devil is in the details. In the Elantra, it doesn't cut out at a
> high enough temp to suit me. It definitely adversely affects the
> defroster's ability to keep the outside of the windshield free of snow
> and ice, especially when the temp is just below the freezing mark.
Yes, I have noticed that my Sonata isn't very good at defrosting. Then
again, it isn't very good at heating in general. The interesting thing
is that both my 94 Chevy pickup and my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan have this
same "automatic" AC in the defrost position feature, and they both defog
and defrost exceptionally well. The Chevy is slower to start defrosting
as it has a much larger cast iron engine that takes a while to heat up,
but once warm it will make the water on the windshield turn to steam
when you stop at a light.
Personally, I think this is more of poor HVAC design on Hyundai's part,
than a poor idea in general.
> Additionally, I object to being FORCED to use the defroster this way. I
> used to use the A/C combined with the heater or defroster in my ex-wifes
> car WHEN I NEEDED IT, but you don't have the option to choose when to
> use it in the Elantra. Well, at least you don't in a stock Elantra.
> After the modification I made, I can control mine and use it only when
> it's beneficial.
Yes, I personally prefer to have more things manual than automatic,
which is why I drive a stick shift. However, I have become used to
having automatic timing advance, automatic mixture control and automatic
fuel injection for cold starts... :-)
Matt
> Don Allen wrote:
>
>> This "feature" has been in place with most automobiles since the early
>> '90s. However, the majority of vehicles disable the AC compressor
>> below a certain temperature not only to protect the compressor due to
>> low ambient temps, but also not to degrade the defrosting abililty. In
>> my 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan ES it disables the compressor when the
>> outside ambient temp is below 30 degrees F. The AC light is on when
>> the outside temp is below 30 degrees, but the compressor is disengaged.
>> I haven't tested this on our new 2006 Elantra, but I would be very
>> suprised if this is not the case with Hyundai as well. Otherwise, all
>> of us who own Hyundai's will be replacing AC compressors at a rapid
>> rate!
>>
>> Turning on the AC in the defrost mode helps the defogging ability of a
>> defroster tremendously by removing the interior humidity.
>
>
> That's true, but only IF you need it. It's not always necessary.
>
>> Assuming the
>> disengagement of the AC compressor at low temps, this is actually very
>> good engineering.
>>
> The devil is in the details. In the Elantra, it doesn't cut out at a
> high enough temp to suit me. It definitely adversely affects the
> defroster's ability to keep the outside of the windshield free of snow
> and ice, especially when the temp is just below the freezing mark.
Yes, I have noticed that my Sonata isn't very good at defrosting. Then
again, it isn't very good at heating in general. The interesting thing
is that both my 94 Chevy pickup and my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan have this
same "automatic" AC in the defrost position feature, and they both defog
and defrost exceptionally well. The Chevy is slower to start defrosting
as it has a much larger cast iron engine that takes a while to heat up,
but once warm it will make the water on the windshield turn to steam
when you stop at a light.
Personally, I think this is more of poor HVAC design on Hyundai's part,
than a poor idea in general.
> Additionally, I object to being FORCED to use the defroster this way. I
> used to use the A/C combined with the heater or defroster in my ex-wifes
> car WHEN I NEEDED IT, but you don't have the option to choose when to
> use it in the Elantra. Well, at least you don't in a stock Elantra.
> After the modification I made, I can control mine and use it only when
> it's beneficial.
Yes, I personally prefer to have more things manual than automatic,
which is why I drive a stick shift. However, I have become used to
having automatic timing advance, automatic mixture control and automatic
fuel injection for cold starts... :-)
Matt
#56
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:QfTDf.5464$J81.1553@trndny01...
>
> Pressing the A/C button only toggles the light on the button. I has no
> effect on the compressor, which remains engaged. That is, unless you're
> driving a Canadian-spec car.
>
How about this.... Open the hood, and disconnect the connector for the AC
clutch for the winter. Not as easy as doing it from the dashboard, but
effective.
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:QfTDf.5464$J81.1553@trndny01...
>
> Pressing the A/C button only toggles the light on the button. I has no
> effect on the compressor, which remains engaged. That is, unless you're
> driving a Canadian-spec car.
>
How about this.... Open the hood, and disconnect the connector for the AC
clutch for the winter. Not as easy as doing it from the dashboard, but
effective.
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
"Brian Nystrom" <brian.nystrom@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:QfTDf.5464$J81.1553@trndny01...
>
> Pressing the A/C button only toggles the light on the button. I has no
> effect on the compressor, which remains engaged. That is, unless you're
> driving a Canadian-spec car.
>
How about this.... Open the hood, and disconnect the connector for the AC
clutch for the winter. Not as easy as doing it from the dashboard, but
effective.
#59
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Why is this such a big deal......
"cheg" <alarose@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138724046.667812.27870@g47g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> *** Update ***
>
>>Hello
>
>
>>5 years ago I bought an Accent GSi. I got it in the middle of winter,
> and I noticed that everytime I turned on the defog mode, the a/c light
> would come on. I got the dealership to disconnect that since I was
> under the impression the a/c compressor sucks a lot of gas.
>
>
>>I just picked up my Tuc a few days ago and noticed it does the exact
> same thing. Does the a/c thing affect gas consumption when heat is
> blowing out instead of cold air? Can I disconnect this without having
> to go to the dealership? Should I not bother?
>
>
>>Thanks for your input
>
>
>>Alex
>
>
> Unlike my previous car, I found out this morning that I simply had to
> press the a/c to disengage it! On the Accent, you could press all you
> wanted on the a/c switch but it would always be on. Anyway, I'll be
> testing it in the next few days and keep you all informed.
>
> Again, thanks for the replies!
>
> Alex
>
"cheg" <alarose@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138724046.667812.27870@g47g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> *** Update ***
>
>>Hello
>
>
>>5 years ago I bought an Accent GSi. I got it in the middle of winter,
> and I noticed that everytime I turned on the defog mode, the a/c light
> would come on. I got the dealership to disconnect that since I was
> under the impression the a/c compressor sucks a lot of gas.
>
>
>>I just picked up my Tuc a few days ago and noticed it does the exact
> same thing. Does the a/c thing affect gas consumption when heat is
> blowing out instead of cold air? Can I disconnect this without having
> to go to the dealership? Should I not bother?
>
>
>>Thanks for your input
>
>
>>Alex
>
>
> Unlike my previous car, I found out this morning that I simply had to
> press the a/c to disengage it! On the Accent, you could press all you
> wanted on the a/c switch but it would always be on. Anyway, I'll be
> testing it in the next few days and keep you all informed.
>
> Again, thanks for the replies!
>
> Alex
>
#60
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2006 Tucson: question about defrost/defog
Why is this such a big deal......
"cheg" <alarose@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138724046.667812.27870@g47g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> *** Update ***
>
>>Hello
>
>
>>5 years ago I bought an Accent GSi. I got it in the middle of winter,
> and I noticed that everytime I turned on the defog mode, the a/c light
> would come on. I got the dealership to disconnect that since I was
> under the impression the a/c compressor sucks a lot of gas.
>
>
>>I just picked up my Tuc a few days ago and noticed it does the exact
> same thing. Does the a/c thing affect gas consumption when heat is
> blowing out instead of cold air? Can I disconnect this without having
> to go to the dealership? Should I not bother?
>
>
>>Thanks for your input
>
>
>>Alex
>
>
> Unlike my previous car, I found out this morning that I simply had to
> press the a/c to disengage it! On the Accent, you could press all you
> wanted on the a/c switch but it would always be on. Anyway, I'll be
> testing it in the next few days and keep you all informed.
>
> Again, thanks for the replies!
>
> Alex
>
"cheg" <alarose@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138724046.667812.27870@g47g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> *** Update ***
>
>>Hello
>
>
>>5 years ago I bought an Accent GSi. I got it in the middle of winter,
> and I noticed that everytime I turned on the defog mode, the a/c light
> would come on. I got the dealership to disconnect that since I was
> under the impression the a/c compressor sucks a lot of gas.
>
>
>>I just picked up my Tuc a few days ago and noticed it does the exact
> same thing. Does the a/c thing affect gas consumption when heat is
> blowing out instead of cold air? Can I disconnect this without having
> to go to the dealership? Should I not bother?
>
>
>>Thanks for your input
>
>
>>Alex
>
>
> Unlike my previous car, I found out this morning that I simply had to
> press the a/c to disengage it! On the Accent, you could press all you
> wanted on the a/c switch but it would always be on. Anyway, I'll be
> testing it in the next few days and keep you all informed.
>
> Again, thanks for the replies!
>
> Alex
>