Air Con Econ

[gasace]

Hi I have the auto air con, does anyone know what the difference is between air con, and air con econ? I've had the bongo about a year now but only just started using the air con since it warmed up. The 2 settings seem to work the same, so why would anyone not want econ?

Thanks

[MAZABON]

i think its a econemy version of air con/climate so less fuel consumption, i dont think it works quite aswell though, i think the compressor doesnt kick in as often, not too sure but thats what i think anyway ?

i never use it though

[triathlondave]

I believe it recirculates the air.

so instead of coming from outside.

It changes and use's air from inside the car, which has been cooled before so takes less cooling.

david

[haydn callow]

I believe it recirculates the air.

so instead of coming from outside.

It changes and use's air from inside the car, which has been cooled before so takes less cooling.

david

Spot on !!

[MAZABON]

ahh !, thats good to know then, ill investigate that, i normally put it to recirculate by pressing the button

[MAZABON]

mmmmm not sure, just found this on mazda forum which is more like my first thoughts

http://forums.mazdaworld.org/100-millen ... -econ.html

[scanner]

It's also a good idea to use the a/c more often than just in hot weather.

30 mins at least once a week all year round seems to be the general advice, so that the refridgerant gas is kept circulating often enough to keep the seals lubricated and soft and so stop them going hard and starting to leak.

Not using it for months on end is a recipe for finding out it doesn't work when you want it, because all the gas has leaked out

[haydn callow]

Are we talking about the top left button w1th a "arrow" going round in a "square circle" ?? thats the cabin air recirculation button.

[MAZABON]

Are we talking about the top left button w1th a "arrow" going round in a "square circle" ?? thats the cabin air recirculation button.

hi Haydn

no its not the air recirculate button, its the A/C button on the climate control unit that if you press it once you get air/con but if you press it again it goes to a mode called "econ" i thought it was an economy mode for the air/con where the compressor does not cycle as often.

i done some investigating last night on various forums for all sorts of vehicles to try to find out , in all honesty i have seen so many suggestions for how it works/what it does that i am not sure anyone really does know exactly and could vary by vehicle type.

some are saying it recirculates already cold air in the cabin ( but the button you are refering to does that ) i must say though i can clearly hear the flaps changing the air flow in my bongo when i press the recirculate button, but i have never heard this happen when i have accidently double pressed the A/C button to get "econ mode"

some say the compressor cycles less often so it produces air out of the vents at approx 6DEG rather than the usual 4DEG, so where as in normal A/C mode you could achieve a cabin temp of 18DEG, but in "econ mode" you could perhaps only manage a cabin temp of about 22ish, so the compessor does not have to work as hard saving fuel hence the "econ = economy" theory

some say it switches off the compressor altogether and the climate unit does its best to match your desired temp setting by using outside air temp i dont see how this is possible though without the compressor ( if its 28DEG outside, how could it make 20DEG inside without it )

some say the compressor is off in "econ mode" but will switch on if the climate control detects moisture and only comes on to prevent the windows steaming up

of course all of these could vary by manufacturer of the vehicle

so i have decided the only way i am going to find out is use it to see what happens

[David Edwards]

I don't find any difference between the normal setting and the economy setting to be honest, I use my air con all year round as I dont feel the cold, love the air con, so refreshing,lol.

[haydn callow]

its the A/C button on the climate control unit that if you press it once you get air/con but if you press it again it goes to a mode called "econ" i thought it was an economy mode for the air/con where the compressor does not cycle as often

Well....didn't know that....live and learn !!

[mikeonb4c]

I wonder if the owners manual says anything about it - anyone got one handy?

[alant54]

I wonder if the owners manual says anything about it - anyone got one handy?

Mike....buy your own manual you tight fisted sod......

All the manual says that if you press the button twice you will select A/C ECON for economical air conditioner use.... ...no explanation how it is economical but I am sure that the answer is not far away on this forum......

[alant54]

Just a thought....I wonder how many owners with this system have been out to their Bongo to check out their A/C system.....?......go on you know you did.... ...be honest....

[haydn callow]

Me for one !!