turn off the a/c when start?

even when my vehicle had working A/C, I rarely used it. I find it gives me a headache. Plus I prefer the fresh air from an open window.

 

I reviewed the 2008 Tacoma manual and there is no mention of this procedure. However it makes perfect sense to shut off the air and let the fan run for a few minutes to clear the cold air and moisture from the system.

 

I'll usually turn it off, but purposely have it on with fan at full so i can remote start it on my way out of work and at least get things heading in the cool direction.

Man I don't think that made any sense, but I'm not going to change it.

 

Like I said, generally. The last time I saw it was a Chevy technical bulletin. They were cleaning evaporators and instructed the owner to turn off cooling before turning off the car. But I found the same advice on hobbyist boards.

 

I never really thought about the AC, but I always turn the head lights off before I turn the truck off. Some people leave them on all the time since they go off when you open the door.

 

i hardly ever have my ac on. saves gas, and since im from texas, pretty used to the heat anyways. it is however pretty f'n humid out here in va, so i usually crank it for a minute or two, then turn it back off.

 

I agree with j4x4ar3...Just a habit I have been in since I started driving. Funny thing is that I actually got into an argument with a Toyota sales person about this. I was test driving a new truck and before I turned off the ignition, I turned off the A/C. The salesman had the nerve to rudely ask..."What are you doing?" I tried to explain my theory while began to argue how much he knew about vehicles. Long story short...I did not buy my new truck THAT day. I guess he never learned that the customer is always right!!!!

Back on subject. I'm not sure about new A/C's, but the older compressors would actually engage as soon as the engine started turning the belt. Before full-injection (stone ages...I know) some engines could not handle the extra strain and therefore would stall. That is how my habit formed.

 

My ac is on from sometime in may till late Sept here in Tx

Heck I dont have to mow the grass till rains in Aug if they come this year at all

 

Turning the AC off completely without leaving the blower on does not clear moisture off the evaporator coil. You need to keep the blower (fan) running so the it dries the moisture off the evaporator coil. Same principle as your residential (home) air conditioning system.

 

I had a dad that would torture me when I was younger[late 70's] if I happened too stay out to late,he'd come out too my old truck and turn the heater on,radio[loud!] anything that could turn on he'd turn on..
This wasn't always good when you had a headache and the temp outside was hitting 100 at 10 in the morning I'm sooo glad I don't drink anymore!! Anyway...it taught me to turn off ALL things on my dash!

Dave

 

Never even thought about it or paid attention .

 

+1

 

Actually, they did a segment on MythBusters once about whether or not the AC affects your gas mileage. What they determined is that the AC does not negatively affect your mileage. The bigger drain on your mileage is the poor aerodynamics of having your windows rolled down. Conclusion was: Windows up, AC on is better than No AC and windows down.

Now if you ride around in the summer with no AC and windows UP, just disregard what they said.

 

I can't say that I have ever worried about it.

 

Never paid attention. I have had five vehicles with over 300,000 and sold them still running so I can't imagine turning it off before starting would have had a huge impact. But with this thread...

As for how often I use my A/C, I used it yesterday.

 

never really thought about it till now

 

I always turn my A/C off about 1/2 mile or so before I arrive at my destination. (especially when going home). Let's the A/C defrost some and doesn't allow it to drip on my garage floor when I get home.

 

I work in Commercial/Industrial HVAC by trade, but I'm not very familiar with the engineering of automotive A/C systems. I can tell you that it is usually best to turn a refrigeration circuit on and off by either start/stop controls or a thermostat.

Many don't worry about it and don't have issues......could be that it just don't matter on automotive A/C.....could also depend on whether or not the vehicle keeps the clutch engaged after shutdown......I think on some older vehicles if the controls were left on, then when you started the engine it would try to engage the clutch at the same time. Maybe issues or maybe not. Don't know for sure just thinking out loud.

I always turn my A/C off before I arrive at my destination. That is how I was trained.

 

I never use the A/C and i mean never except when needed. It rained all day and so after the truck got all warmed up and i was on the road i hit the a/c for about a minute and a half then turned it off and left the fan on, and i found out that the fan will still pump out cold air after you turn off your a/c. but its windows down for me and fan off but temp set at full heat (i heard that if you have the temp set to full heat it will keep the engine alittle cooler, not sure if it works but never hurts)