Turning off AC before shutting off engine.

“Turn the AC off 5 minutes before you stop. It gets the stink out!”

 

I turn everything off just before I shut down. If I could keep the AC running after I shut the truck down I would keep it running. If the AC is shutdown 5 minutes before I reached my destination there would be a different stink in the truck. I've been driving for 44 years and have never had an AC stink.

 

This did not work for me. After 2 summers I could not take the cow manure stank any longer. Traded mine off in February.

And Tony from Texas, this was the 1st vehicle I owned that stank. Full blown fresh cow manure stank blowing right in your face. This Honda CR-V the A/C does not go back to recirculate everytime you shut it off like the Tacoma did. Miss driving a truck because I drove one my entire life but now I don't worry about what that bacteria I was breathing was doing to my health. May try another Tacoma in 5 years if I'm not dead yet.

 

I have had this in 1 vehicle that developed the issue. It had also been driven through hurricane flood waters that were up to the bottom of the windows. I know that was stupid. Followed directions of a cop directing traffic, I wound a bit stranded and trying to find higher ground. Both the CJ in front of me and I did, after being passed by a family in their kayaks.

The AC drain actually brought water into the air box and then the cab of the truck. Mold started growing on the coils as well as under the carpet. After cleaning the vents, coils, carpet, and floor under the carpet, AC stopped stinking, but the truck itself still smelled like microwaved butt cookies. That was the last GM vehicle I owned due to other issues likely unrelated to the high water.

Bottom line, I have never had a vehicle that got a stinky AC that had not been force fed a bad situation. I also have never shut down the AC prior to stopping as a preventative.

Just my .02.

 

You had the knob turned all the way, that's why the recirculate was always on. If you bump it up one click up from max A/C setting, the recirculate doesn't automatically come on.

 

I never use "Max A/C" on any trucks I have ever owned. Thanks for the pointer though, maybe it will help somebody else out.

 

i have run my truck with air on when it is hot....i live in SoCal so not too many days where i need it....having said that, I did the A/C mod for the condensate line and saw water for the first time when I tried it out.....i run a/c on recirculate just about all the time....when I do, i do not see any water after i stop and shut down......so the other day, i ran the a/c with outside air selected....ran for about 80 miles on freeway from Irvine towards Morro Bay....when i stopped to pee, i looked at the line for the a/c and there was a puddle of water......so, does the recirculate position eliminate the humidity from outside and is that why I don’t get water when I stop?

Edit: BTW, I have no smell when in recirculate mode

 

To an extent, but not exactly.

We know that he A/C system causes condensation on the coils from the humidity in the air which also reduces the humidity in the air that is output. That condensation drips off the coils then our through the drain.

Recirculate does exactly that it pulls air primarily from the cab. With that said the longer you are pulling air that has had moisture pulled from it through condensation on the coils the lower relative humidity in the cab. With recirculate this cycle is constantly repeated.

Less humidity in the air crossing the coils means less water condensing thus less draining.

I live in FL less than 1/4 mile from the river, 4-5 miles (as the crow flies) from the inter-coastal water ways, and another 2 or so from the ocean. My 30-ish minute commute will drain water and leave a puddle when I park when run on recirculate, that water is significantly higher volume if I run without it off.

Example: during that drive, recirculate on I get a wet spot about the size of a basketball, recirculate off I get enough water draining to run down the driveway or parking lot. I know this because I was worried my drain hose was clogged and tested it.

 

I usually do, unless I forget. I also turn off the radio, lights, and any other accesories that may be on. 90% of the time I remove my seatbelt before parking.

Never know when that little bit of juice is needed to start the vehicle.

Edit I also keep the vents closed on my Tacoma when the HVAC is not in use, if find that to be more aesthetically pleasing. Yet I have six month old mud on my drivers side weather tech liner.

 

that is what i thought also....i was worried that my drain was clogged that is why I started testing the recirculate position and the outside air ......thanks

 

Not true, I have mine set at 70 and it still always come on.

My old Lexus I always ran the a/c at almost max cold and recirc, never had an issue. Have this truck for a few months and I have a horrible smell! Now I have to worry about when to turn on/off the a/c or make sure I turn recirc off before my destination, that's ridiculous for a new vehicle IMO...yet I still throw money into it.

 

I could not stand the smell anymore so mine had to go. May try a TRD Sport in 5 years.

 

What'd you trade it for?

 

2018 Honda CR-V.

 

My wife drives a '16 and she loves it - I feel like I'm driving a golf cart when I drive it but it's reliable, doesn't smell and zips around town like a crossover should! If you don't need a bed and don't go offroad those are good!

 

Much like Mtn Mike, I remember my mom doing the same thing in her old 67 Pontiac. Now when I turn the ac off before/after, it makes me think of her and smile.

 

Yeah I really like the 1.5 turbo in this thing, like you said you can zip around town in it. Kind of wished I would of at least test drove a Toyota CHR, I could of got around just fine in one of those also. Would of taken some time to get use to the fugly rear end on them though. I think I could of grown to love it though. I figure if I need a truck I can rent a pick up from U-Haul so the V suits me fine. It is just me that rides in it so I have the back seat folded flat.

 

I do it because it's hard on the AC clutch at start up. I try to remember to turn it off. I've had 2 AC's clutches go bad & they are expensive plus it's hard to find rebuild kits for these modern vehicles

 

I don't have the climate control version, just the regular one. Mine doesn't come back on when I don't have it set to max A/C (knob turned all the way to the left). Must be a 'feature' of climate control to keep recirculate on all the time.

That or my turning the A/C off before I park prevents it from coming back on, idfk, I just know that it's set to outside air whenever I restart my truck/turn on A/C unless it's in the max A/C position. Maybe mines broke and it's supposed to come on every time? Shit, guess I finally found something wrong with my truck!

 

You don't have to run fresh air through the AC before shutting it off. Read your manual. The AC automatically opens to allow fresh air when you shut the truck down to prevent that.