Air Con - is yours on all the time? And on even when 'off' ?

[martin998877]

Hi

1) On cars with climate control, I have always left the a/c on throughout the year.  I understand that modern variable pumps don't take much energy when not working hard to cool, plus it has advantages regarding demisting, fresher feeling air, temperature management, dehumidifying the air, and keeping the seals lubricated.

Do you all leave yours on all the time, or turn it off when not actively needed?  Does anyone set it to eco mode in the winter (via the profile menu)?

2) Despite this, today I turned A/C off, as I had my 40 mile journey to work with 35 miles left in the tank, and every little helps.  (I made it, and 53 L went into the 50 L tank on arrival - and I got 51 MPG on the journey.  Yes it's a GTi!).  I was interested to see on the Comfort Consumers page of the CAR menu that even when the a/c is off, there is still a small amount of energy use.  Much lower than when A/C is on, but still a residual amount.  Is this because the A/C is so useful it never really switches 'off'?

Martin

2016 GTi

[sjw]

Hi

1) On cars with climate control, I have always left the a/c on throughout the year.  I understand that modern variable pumps don't take much energy when not working hard to cool, plus it has advantages regarding demisting, fresher feeling air, temperature management, dehumidifying the air, and keeping the seals lubricated.

Do you all leave yours on all the time, or turn it off when not actively needed?  Does anyone set it to eco mode in the winter (via the profile menu)?

2) Despite this, today I turned A/C off, as I had my 40 mile journey to work with 35 miles left in the tank, and every little helps.  (I made it, and 53 L went into the 50 L tank on arrival - and I got 51 MPG on the journey.  Yes it's a GTi!).  I was interested to see on the Comfort Consumers page of the CAR menu that even when the a/c is off, there is still a small amount of energy use.  Much lower than when A/C is on, but still a residual amount.  Is this because the A/C is so useful it never really switches 'off'?

Martin

2016 GTi

I'm sure I've seen mine disappear from the Consumers screen, but maybe I'm mistaken. I'll try it out later

[Jim_mk7.5]

I leave mine always on as ensures the windows always stay clear but do turn the whole system off now and again as I like to get some fresh air when I can. That's the time I miss having a sunroof!

[Adam T7]

As above, on all the time, occasionally turn off when windows open (as per the very warm day on Saturday) for a bit of fresh air.

[Brenbo]

My air con is on all the time as well.

[sjw]

Just checked. If I turn it off, it disappears from the Comfort Consumers screen almost immediately.

[Will2018]

On all the time for me. I see far too many people who rarely use it to save fuel, but then fork out for aircon regas because the seals have dried out.

Also annoys me seeing cars fully steamed up on busy motorways in Autumn/ winter which the AC would sort out.

[fredgroves]

The consumers screen doesn't show you that having the AC off and the window open probably does more for fuel consumption by increasing drag, particularly over a few mph...

[Vwjap]

On all the time, on my mk6 the aircon pump had a clutch so it freewheeled when not on, maybe the same on mk7?

[Aparat]

On all the time for the whole year.