Silly A/C Question

[DanCoon]

Hello everyone. I have a silly question that I think I know the answer to.... but of course I wanted some confirmation and feedback.

My grandpa and dad always taught me that I should turn off the A/C before turning off the car so that it doesn't put additional stress on the engine when you start it up. I always followed through on this advice on each car I owned up to my most recent 2014 Ford Focus. I never was sure if this was just a myth or sound advice, however... seeing as the Mach-E is electric only and doesn't rely on an ICE, I keep my A/C on auto and don't bother to turn it off. Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[RedStallion]

Never heard of that. All my previous cars apparently survived decades of abuse.

 

[jsteach]

There is no engine and belts and pulleys to turn the ac compressor in the MME. It is electrically driven. Most cars in the the last 10 years and special circuits that allow the
ac to be on while the car is started. The ac is not engage right away even when left on. This allows for smaller and lighter and less expensive starter motors in cars.

 

[121gigawatts]

Never heard of that. All my previous cars apparently survived decades of abuse.

My poor cars, and here I thought I was giving them all the love I could.

 

[SnBGC]

Hello everyone. I have a silly question that I think I know the answer to.... but of course I wanted some confirmation and feedback.

My grandpa and dad always taught me that I should turn off the A/C before turning off the car so that it doesn't put additional stress on the engine when you start it up. I always followed through on this advice on each car I owned up to my most recent 2014 Ford Focus. I never was sure if this was just a myth or sound advice, however... seeing as the Mach-E is electric only and doesn't rely on an ICE, I keep my A/C on auto and don't bother to turn it off. Thoughts?

There was a time when that would apply but around 10 or 15 years ago most manufactures began to disable the compressor clutch until the engine was started. This reduced the load on the starting battery and starter motor.

Electric vehicles do not have belt driven accessories like alternators or air conditioning compressors so that practice wouldn't apply here anyway.

You can leave your climate set to Auto and not worry about it.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

You can leave your climate set to Auto and not worry about it.

For which the people in the Phoenix, Fresno and Kona metropolitan areas are eternally grateful.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Hello everyone. I have a silly question that I think I know the answer to.... but of course I wanted some confirmation and feedback.

My grandpa and dad always taught me that I should turn off the A/C before turning off the car so that it doesn't put additional stress on the engine when you start it up. I always followed through on this advice on each car I owned up to my most recent 2014 Ford Focus. I never was sure if this was just a myth or sound advice, however... seeing as the Mach-E is electric only and doesn't rely on an ICE, I keep my A/C on auto and don't bother to turn it off. Thoughts?

My grandpa taught me that too. It was true in the days of his generation's cars but has long since become unnecessary. As mentioned above, there is absolutely no reason to do this in an electric car.

 

[Illinibird]

My grandpa taught me that too. It was true in the days of his generation's cars but has long since become unnecessary. As mentioned above, there is absolutely no reason to do this in an electric car.

Does the resistive heat use more energy then the air conditioning? I seem to remember that it does.

 

[generaltso]

Does the resistive heat use more energy then the air conditioning? I seem to remember that it does.

Yes.

 

[ARK]

There was a time when that would apply but around 10 or 15 years ago most manufactures began to disable the compressor clutch until the engine was started. This reduced the load on the starting battery and starter motor.

Electric vehicles do not have belt driven accessories like alternators or air conditioning compressors so that practice wouldn't apply here anyway.

You can leave your climate set to Auto and not worry about it.

Thanks for this explanation. Do you know if there is a way to check this for any particular car, like some stat to google? Like say for an automatic 2006 Mustang GT ?

 

[RonTCat]

Thanks for this explanation. Do you know if there is a way to check this for any particular car, like some stat to google? Like say for an automatic 2006 Mustang GT ?

You would have to go back a long way to find a non-clutched A/C compressor. Like the 1970's.

 

[machefan]

Same applies to the words "Break in period"

No longer a thing or needed.

I remember the days when they said to drive at X speed for X miles first and vary it. Those days are long over and I am sure some folks still do it.

 

[Davedough]

Same applies to the words "Break in period"

No longer a thing or needed.

I remember the days when they said to drive at X speed for X miles first and vary it. Those days are long over and I am sure some folks still do it.

That's not that long ago. My 2016 GTI had a recommendation of varied speeds, not to exceed 3000rpm for the first 1,000 miles. You know how hard that is to do with a turbocharged fun to drive vehicle?

 

[BMT1071]

Same applies to the words "Break in period"

No longer a thing or needed.

I remember the days when they said to drive at X speed for X miles first and vary it. Those days are long over and I am sure some folks still do it.

That is not an accurate statement. There is no 'break in' oil anymore that has to be changed at really low mileage. You should still follow the recommended driving advice. Typically little to no full throttle acceleration or extended periods at one throttle petition for the first 600 miles or so. It varies by vehicle and manufacturer.

 

[OldEVGuy]

Same applies to the words "Break in period"

No longer a thing or needed.

I remember the days when they said to drive at X speed for X miles first and vary it. Those days are long over and I am sure some folks still do it.

It’s still found in many current manuals. For example, this is from the 2021 Mustang Owners Manual:

BREAKING-IN
Your vehicle requires a break-in period. For the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km), avoid driving at high speeds, heavy braking, aggressive shifting or using your vehicle to tow. During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics.

Sponsored