Air Con

What's that all about then? How's it work? Does it use extra petrol or is that ********? Anyone use it? What are the bloody windows for then?

Siro

Haven't used it up until the last couple of days, when it has been on all the time at 16.5C and the occasional blast of low.

MPG has suffered immensely, but I think that is more a function of the close proximity of Hampshire country lanes!!

Aidy.

[logiclee]

Siro,

Modern aircon systems are vastly more effiecent than systems a few years back.
Even with high outside temperature or humidity you should only loose around 3mpg.
Above 40mph the aerodynamic drag caused by an open window would probably cost you more than running the aircon.

Make sure you have it switched on for at least one journey every two weeks or so. An aircon system needs to be kept running even through cold weather to pressurise the system, lubricate the seals and maintain the compressor. Excellent for demisting windows in cold weather anyway. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Lee

With summer having come to a close down here I have started driving without the air-conditioning on for the first time in many months. And the difference in fuel consumption has been surprisingly small (but the extra power up hills is great), however I will just have to say that the Alfa, like a lot of European cars has appalling air-conditioning! You really need to be doing about 70kmh+ for it to have any real effect when its 35-40C outside.

[Kristian Benning]

Hi,

The aircon on my 156 is just about adequate.
I got the dealer to check it and they said it was fine!
On the subject of fuel consumption, the manual says it can increase it by upto 20%.
I'm also sure I read somewhere that on a fully open throttle that the aircon pump is temporarily turned off which is a nice feature.

[Pascs]

Hi,
Try accelerating and turning the A/C off. The car will noticeably pull harder - so it must be reducing the engine power and subsequently be using more fuel. The A/C is very poor for a modern car but if you don't live in a hot country you don't really need it. The temps get up to 45-50° C in the summer where I live so it’s a bit of a disappointment.

Pascs

[logiclee]

Most European cars I have tried only have smallish aircon systems including the Alfa, OK for the UK but above 25 degrees or so outside temperature they start to struggle unless your travelling.
I was in a Jaguar XJ a while back and the thing kicked out pure ice as soon as it was turned on.
Also noticed the climate control in the 156 doesn't seem to have a sunload sensor, most climate system adjust if suns shining through the windscreen, the 156 looks as though it works just on temperature.

Lee

[Damian M]

I reckon the aircon does have a noticeable affect on power. Theres definitely an increase in mpg too. With the aircon on my car won't even reverse up our driveway without some serious clutch burning anticts.

Consequently I drive mostly with the aircon switched off and window down to enjoy the full power potential of the engine and listen to its wonderful sound. If it does go on its usually while I'm sat in traffic.


The aircon also gives me a sore throat and a runny nose. I'd rather suffer these syptoms for a good reason ie. window down, great noise and max bhp rather than from sittng in a cool coccooned silence!

[logiclee]

Damian,

What you describe is common with aircon systems that are not often used. Bacteria builds up on the condenser and these spores can then be passed into the interior causing the symptoms you describe. Its more common in building systems that are not used all winter.

I have the opposite problem, with the window down I get hay fever (pollen allergy), with window up, aircon on and the pollen filter doing its thing I'm OK. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Cheers
Lee

[Damian M]

Thanks L, you mean to say I've got a virus in my airconditioning!!
[img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

I guess I'll better use it abit more and blow all those blasted bugs out!
[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[icarlisle]

Yes, it's me resurrecting old topics again! I tried running on the motorway with the climate control on and then off and found no difference whatsoever in the reported mpg.

I don't know what it would be like in a hot country, but on full auto mode on a hot day here, it belts out very cold air as soon as you fire her up. The only problem I've found is that the central vents are too low and blast your knees or your hands!

Hi Siro and all,

actually I'm quite happy with the air con. I always have it on. When in summer I was in Italy and France it was 35-40 C all the time and the black car was really hot. It didn't take long to cool down IMO. Don't know about the fuel consumption with it - the car is thirsty anyway. Haven't noticed any power loss.

[Ivo]

Here goes nothing;

Aircon in 147 (Lusso / Distinctive) is far more sophisticated as with mi old 156. 147 has sun sensor, automatic demisting, smog sensor & left/right seperate temp. control.

Yes, as Aircon is driven by a cooling pump (like yer good ol'fridge @ home) it takes up some power. Between 10 and 20 % so I've heard.
Modern systems have a modulating pump, rather then an on/off like ol fridge....

[jomor]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:<hr /><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Pascs:
<strong>Hi,
The temps get up to 45-50° C in the summer where I live so it’s a bit of a disappointment.

</strong><hr /></blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">And i thought 38 - 40 °C was HOT here in Greece!!
Jesus!

IVO: The most sofisticated (=complicated) the most possible to get faulty. I know, life goes on, but in this case the old simple air con was proved better in performance than the dual zone climate control. It been discussed here before, i m sure u remember.
Cheers

[Ivo]

Jomor, Oh yes, but like I said before: in my country it is worthed Days with 30 degrees or more are very rare in this wet country wink

[icarlisle]

With climate control, I think you have to have it on all the time anyway. Otherwise, you get no heating or ventilation. Or am I misunderstanding something here?