FAQ: Why does the A/C turn on when switching to vent mode?
A/C Question
Is this normal? When I move the air flow selector to feet only, the A/C light comes on.I know its normal for the AC to come on when defog is selected.
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philipa_240sx
- Posts: 3808
- Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
- Location: Canada
Re: A/C Question (mrirvine)
I'm going to make this an FAQ thread. It's a very commonly asked question.
Nissan changed the operation of their Heating/Ventilation/AC systems a few years ago. Specifically they added additional features to improve defogging of the windows. Here is how it works:
- Defrost modes always turn on the A/C even though the light does not illuminate. If the weather is very cold, the A/C may not operate however.
- When you switch from defrost to any non-defrost mode (ie upper vents), the A/C indicator light turns on to show the A/C is still running. This is specifically designed to prevent further fogging of the windows after defrost was selected. Think of it as a safety feature. You can turn the A/C off manually if you wish.
Additionally the airflows to the various vents have been changed to improve defogging:
Yes, it's normal.mrirvine wrote:Is this normal? When I move the air flow selector to feet only, the A/C light comes on.I know its normal for the AC to come on when defog is selected.
Nissan changed the operation of their Heating/Ventilation/AC systems a few years ago. Specifically they added additional features to improve defogging of the windows. Here is how it works:
- Defrost modes always turn on the A/C even though the light does not illuminate. If the weather is very cold, the A/C may not operate however.
- When you switch from defrost to any non-defrost mode (ie upper vents), the A/C indicator light turns on to show the A/C is still running. This is specifically designed to prevent further fogging of the windows after defrost was selected. Think of it as a safety feature. You can turn the A/C off manually if you wish.
Additionally the airflows to the various vents have been changed to improve defogging:
Re: A/C Question (philipa_240sx)
I have to say it's not "normal" but it is working as Nissan designed it.
Any other car I've owned has turned the AC on when the vent selector was positioned for defrost, but also automatically turned it off when moving it off of defrost.
It's annoying.
Any other car I've owned has turned the AC on when the vent selector was positioned for defrost, but also automatically turned it off when moving it off of defrost.
It's annoying.
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philipa_240sx
- Posts: 3808
- Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
- Location: Canada
Re: A/C Question (pedror)
If you think that was annoying, try driving some of the '02-06 Nissan's. The A/C would never turn off after you selected defrost mode. The only other way to turn it off is to shut the engine off, select something other than defrost mode, and restart the car. I did this countless times at intersections with my '03 Altima.pedror wrote:Any other car I've owned has turned the AC on when the vent selector was positioned for defrost, but also automatically turned it off when moving it off of defrost.
It's annoying.
Re: A/C Question (philipa_240sx)
I checked my father's versa and I believe ac turns on differently over there. Just wondering why Nissan makes it different from car to car.