Auto Temp. Question

Just upgraded from my 2015 to 2023 TRD Sport. What a difference!

Regarding AUTO TEMP. do I just leave it on all the time? Seems (the light) that the AC is on even when cool (Florida) and the heater is on blowing warm air. If so does that mean the engine is working harder/gas mileage?

 

It's really your call if you want to leave it on auto temp. I did most the time, but pushed a/c to turn that off.

 

I don’t like to have the AC on all the time. From what I have heard, Tacoma AC compressors are a known weak point and very expensive.

 

I don’t use auto on mine. Having the A/C on when ambient temp is 25F seems ridiculous. Not sure what Toyota was thinking on this one. LOL

 

It will always try to pull moisture from the air to make it more comfortable for you,

the only reason it's on is to pull moisture from the air and keep the windows from fogging. It doesnt have any type of humidity sensor so it has no idea what the humidity level of the air is.

 

Not a Toyota thing, every vehicle I've ever been in with Climate Control does this.

 

He’s in Florida, he doesn’t need a sensor, there is always humidity in the air

 

IMO auto is the only way to use it, and the only way that makes sense. You just set a temp and let it go. If you get cold, turn it up a few degrees and vice versa if warm. If you don’t use auto, then you’ll be fidgeting with it constantly, especially trying to find the air temp you like because the temp numbers on the dash don’t mean anything when you’re in manual mode. They just correlate slightly to blue and red zones on older systems when looking at the 60-90 temp range.

Folks, the AC is on for a reason and every manufacturer does this, you just haven’t noticed. Leave it be, it’s for removing humidity and it’s better to keep the AC compressor working around the clock than to have it sit unused for 6 months. Can’t say that I agree that the compressor is a known “weak point” on Tacomas. You’re not outsmarting anyone or anything by turning it off.

 

I am pretty sure the owner’s manual describes the parameters in which it works.
I’d just leave it, you’re not going to prematurely wear out your A/C or burn any noticeable more amount of gas.
don’t overthink things, in typical TW fashion. Fill with gas, change oil (without starting another thread asking when), and enjoy the thing!

 

All compressors are expensive.

Don't know where you 'heard' they are a known weak point, but I'd not take any stock tips or who to vote for advice from that source.

 

it would probably benefit more from a sensor to warn him of an old man in a Cadillac running a red light.

 

Nothing wrong with Toyota compressors, they're made by Denso and are used in quite a few vehicles with good results, lots of 100+K mi toyotas running around with their original compressor and refrigerant. Despite living in the desert, mine is 17YO and still has it's original refrigerant and cools nicely. Can't say that about a motorcraft compressor which are rated for 10~12 yrs and are lucky to last 8.

 

Instanetz hears lots of things, and perpetuates them x 1,000.

Most of the problems are mentioned by many, and experienced by none,,,, maybe a few. Look at all the poo-poo’ers, ask them if they experienced XYZ or even own the model being spoke of,,, and you will get crickets.

 

The Car Care Nut said it. I don’t know if he is a reliable source for such things, but I tend to believe just about anything he says about Toyotas.

Also, the compressor is apparently NOT made by Denzo. He would have been referring to 3rd generation Tacomas. Go to 37:00 in this video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eqJe5OCdjZc

 

Many thanks guys. This is my 4th Tacoma since 1996 and knock on wood have not once had any issues on any of the 4. Just with all the 2nd to 3rd gen upgrades just thougghts I would get with the peeps who have dealt with the AUTO TEMP. Looks like I'll plan to leave it alone and not touch it, I do love it as well as ALL the other upgrades from 2015 Pre-Runner SR5 (crew) to TRD Sport 4 door.... Was going to wait for a 2024 but seems to be dragging on and on and I do like the look of the 3rd Gen. Thanks again!

 

I love how just because someone posts a video on YT it becomes the gospel.

TAG, Toyota automotive group which Denso is part of makes the ac compressors for about half the cars made in the US, kinda hard to believe they don't use their own compressor.
https://toyotacompressor.com/what-we-do/

 

I thought this was odd when I first was learning the climate controls on my 3rd gen as well. I agree it is to dehumidify the air and avoid foggy windows. I use the defrost enough that the compressor gets a regular workout even in winter. You can turn this feature off in menu-setup-vehicle-vehicle customization-climate controls. I have it set to 'off' so the AC does not automatically run when in auto mode.

 

i'm gonna start a youtube channel.

anyone that drives a vehicle over 40,000 miles RISKS DEATH BY PEANUT BUTTER.

 

I mean, TCCN is overall a very solid source of info - no need to scoff just because he’s on YouTube. I don’t think he means the compressor is “unreliable,” just that it’s less reliable comparatively to other Toyotas. And that may be true, though I don’t see that many failures popping up on the web. And even if we did see them, there is no proof that shutting the AC off all the time would do anything to fix that.

When I look up the 3rd gen compressor, it comes back as a Sanden part, not Denso. That said, Sanden makes fine stuff too.