Is auto-temp control good, or a waste of money? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

10-31-2006, 02:38 AM

I think it's a waste. The manual controls are fine. With top-down driving, the system is almost always turned off, only when I am running the heating. You don't want to run your AC with the top down either.

z12358 · 10-31-2006, 03:52 AM

I don't have it and never felt the need for it.

Jump · 10-31-2006, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

I think it's a waste. The manual controls are fine. With top-down driving, the system is almost always turned off, only when I am running the heating. You don't want to run your AC with the top down either.

OK, I'm curious. What harm does running the AC with the top down cause?

djomlas · 10-31-2006, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jump

OK, I'm curious. What harm does running the AC with the top down cause?

well youre pretty much trying to aircondition the planet

and the car is trying to do one more aditional thing at the same time

1JB · 10-31-2006, 06:20 AM

I have it and it works quite well but I rarely use it as the car is mostly driven with the top down. I may be wrong but I think you also get an improved air filtering sytstem with this option? On those occasions when I have driven with the top up I do like the auto feature and would get it again. One less thing to screw around with and I tend to like to screw around with settings.

jeffsquire · 10-31-2006, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jump

OK, I'm curious. What harm does running the AC with the top down cause?

_______________________

Beleive it or not, a lot of people seem to do this with convertibles. At least ;two of the convertible owners I know.

10-31-2006, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffsquire

_______________________

Beleive it or not, a lot of people seem to do this with convertibles. At least ;two of the convertible owners I know.

I have done this with a rental car, but not my own cars.

Travis · 10-31-2006, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffsquire

_______________________

Beleive it or not, a lot of people seem to do this with convertibles. At least ;two of the convertible owners I know.

I am guilty of doing it, but here in Texas it is a requirement.

With top down and windows up and the AC on it does keep you cool and I have never had/seen or heard of any issues with doing so.

-cheers

MNBoxster · 10-31-2006, 06:49 AM

HI,

OK, so let me get this straight, Automatic Climate Control is NOT standard, but optional on US Market cars? I always thought it was...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

1JB · 10-31-2006, 06:53 AM

The Auto Climate option on the '06 in the US means you press one button and set the desired temperature. Everything else from air conditioning to distribution location and fan speed is set by the car. You set the temperature and the car does everything else. If you don't have that or use it you can set the temperature, airconditioning, speed and distribution points yourself and the car maintains that temperature.

MNBoxster · 11-01-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JB

The Auto Climate option on the '06 in the US means you press one button and set the desired temperature. Everything else from air conditioning to distribution location and fan speed is set by the car. You set the temperature and the car does everything else. If you don't have that or use it you can set the temperature, airconditioning, speed and distribution points yourself and the car maintains that temperature.

Hi,

It's always a good day when you learn something new, so I'm having a good day.

The Climate Control in my '99 has distribution, temp, fan speed, AC, defrost switches and also an Auto switch. If I select the temp, and then hit the Auto button, all other functions are controlled by the unit - fan speed, distribution, AC, etc. The car also has an interior 't' stat, a solar 't' stat and it uses these and the ambient temp sensor in front of the left-side radiator to decide how to best maintain the selected temperature. Isn't this what we're talking about?

I didn't think this was an optional system, but I guess I'm wrong...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Marc Gelefsky · 10-31-2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

HI,

OK, so let me get this straight, Automatic Climate Control is NOT standard, but optional on US Market cars? I always thought it was...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I dont think I have ever seen a US Boxster without it? anyone?

z12358 · 10-31-2006, 07:17 AM

"If you don't have that or use it you can set the temperature, airconditioning, speed and distribution points yourself and the car maintains that temperature."

Wrong. I don't have auto climate control. Without it you cannot set a temperature to be automatically maintained. You can only choose levels from coldest to warmest, speed, and on/off for various vents -- just like any other bare bones AC system.

Auto-climate does not come standard.

Z.

IowaS · 10-31-2006, 06:51 AM

The only time I need temp control is on work days in the summer, I dont want to drive to a meeting in 100 deg. heat and sweat. I use it rarely but when needed it is worth it in my opinion.

redman12 · 11-01-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IowaS

The only time I need temp control is on work days in the summer, I dont want to drive to a meeting in 100 deg. heat and sweat. I use it rarely but when needed it is worth it in my opinion.

Basically you don't want the hot chicks in the meeting to smell your b.o. lol

z12358 · 11-01-2006, 06:16 PM

IowaS:
"The only time I need temp control is on work days in the summer, I dont want to drive to a meeting in 100 deg. heat and sweat. I use it rarely but when needed it is worth it in my opinion."

When it's that hot the last thing I'd need is temp control. A blast of "uncontrolled" cold AC air does the job just fine.

Z.

davezaristo · 11-01-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis

I am guilty of doing it, but here in Texas it is a requirement.

With top down and windows up and the AC on it does keep you cool and I have never had/seen or heard of any issues with doing so.

-cheers

No issue at all except that you are wasting a bit more gas by turning on the ac..so just thining your wallet by a slight bit...

blue2000s · 11-01-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jump

OK, I'm curious. What harm does running the AC with the top down cause?

Running the ac pump takes a few hp, using more gas. The pump will also wear out sooner. Also, turning off the car with the ac running leaves moisture in the ventilation system,which contributes to mold growth. This is what makes that sweat sock smell when you first run the fan.

z12358 · 11-01-2006, 06:02 PM

blue2000s:
"Running the ac pump takes a few hp, using more gas. The pump will also wear out sooner."

So how is this different when the top is up? By this logic, running the wipers, playing music, or taking a lady for a ride "takes a few hp, using more gas", too.

Z.

MNBoxster · 11-01-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Running the ac pump takes a few hp, using more gas. The pump will also wear out sooner. Also, turning off the car with the ac running leaves moisture in the ventilation system,which contributes to mold growth. This is what makes that sweat sock smell when you first run the fan.

Hi,

Technically, you're correct. But, also realize that the Compressor on the Boxster is a variable pressure type and can be running anywhere between 5%-100% of rated output depending upon demand (Ambient Temp and desired Temp Setting).

This is to both enhance Range (MPG), and maximize Perfomance (reduced parasitic power loss). But, I think we can all assume that running the AC Top DOWN on a warm day will have it operating at, or near, 100%.

Also, remember to run your AC at least 2 min./mo. (top UP or DOWN) to circulate the Compressor Oil though the system for both the Compressor and also to delay drying out of the 'O' rings.

It's certainly true about the Sweat Sox in the Vent system though...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99