Automatic Climate Control - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Adriel · #31 01-03-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

Running the compressor for defrost is the standard method on all cars of any brand with ACC and even some with manual climate control. The evaporator removes moisture from the air. Very useful for defrosting a windshield.

Larry, thank you for the information!

So then why do some folks with the other cars get better mileage in the winter? They claim it is because of not running the A/C. In the other car I had, it did get a tad better. Maybe the cold air?

Guess we are fortunate that we can turn off the compressor, however...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

In the Southeast, i consider working a/c a safety feature especially in the fall and winter. We get chilly rain and if you cannot dehumidify you will completely fog up on the inside in short order.

Operating the compressor frequently is beneficial to its longevity. If it sits idle the seals dry out and it will start to fail.

Side story: I have a 2004 Honda CR-V that has a manual climate control. There is electronics involved but you still have to choose the modes and temperature yourself. I found on a Honda forum an Easter Egg that lets you choose whether it automatically engages the compressor with defrost or not. For some reason the default setting is "disabled".:

Operation in the winter prologs its life, interesting!

So the South has humidity all the time?! I was there in about the hottest part of the Summer and couldn't stand the humidity! Like existing in butter and feeling like it rained as your cloths are all wet. But then I was child then, and might be more tolerant... Probably the Honda has it set that way because Japan doesn't have humidity.

tram · #32 01-03-2013, 03:12 PM

Adriel: Jay Bob is correct about running the A/C being good for it. Even back in the ACVW days, when you could buy dealer add- on A/C, the A/C manual told you to run it for five minutes at least every week during the winter to keep the seals lubricated and supple. Same with the old Frigiking and Kuhlmeister add- on A/C for Mercedes from the '60s.

Without that periodic lubrication, the seals can shrink and fail.

Adriel · #33 01-03-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tram

Adriel: Jay Bob is correct about running the A/C being good for it. Even back in the ACVW days, when you could buy dealer add- on A/C, the A/C manual told you to run it for five minutes at least every week during the winter to keep the seals lubricated and supple. Same with the old Frigiking and Kuhlmeister add- on A/C for Mercedes from the '60s.

Without that periodic lubrication, the seals can shrink and fail.

Really? Guess the A/C compressor from a type 3 was junk then. Good to keep in mind when getting used parts. Guess one could get anal and panic when they have to leave the auto behind for more than a week!

l.o.l.

If the seals go, any way yo hydrate them?

How does one add just oil?

Doktor Bert · #34 01-03-2013, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tram

Adriel: Jay Bob is correct about running the A/C being good for it. Even back in the ACVW days, when you could buy dealer add- on A/C, the A/C manual told you to run it for five minutes at least every week during the winter to keep the seals lubricated and supple. Without that periodic lubrication, the seals can shrink and fail.

The seal in the old York compressor and the GM A6 is made of carbon with a spring loaded pressure plate. The R-4 can have either a carbon seal or a lip seal, depending on vintage and application. I haven't seen the 'O' rings deteriorate until recently, when lots of shops started using the cheap 'O' ring sets from Harbor Freight.

Use the green 'O' rings from a reputable source...FWIW