AC Always On?
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MB E320, BMW 323i
AC Always On?
Hello all,
First off, this is my first Benz so excuse me if my questions sound really, really dumb.
In the E-Class, the default setting for the air conditioner is always "on" as far as I know. You actually have to press the button to turn it "off".
My dumb questions are:
1) Is this standard among MB models to have the AC always on, as default?
2) If you leave the default as-is (i.e. on), would this mean that the car would need more frequent re-charging of freon? My previous car, 528i, didn't need a freon re-charge for 4 years.
I'm just used to cars where it's the opposite - you have to actually turn on the AC. I turned off the AC for a few minutes last week and ever since then, I've now noticed a slight musty odor out of the vents when starting the car. Hopefully, it'll go away as the moisture dries up.
Thanks!
First off, this is my first Benz so excuse me if my questions sound really, really dumb.
In the E-Class, the default setting for the air conditioner is always "on" as far as I know. You actually have to press the button to turn it "off".
My dumb questions are:
1) Is this standard among MB models to have the AC always on, as default?
2) If you leave the default as-is (i.e. on), would this mean that the car would need more frequent re-charging of freon? My previous car, 528i, didn't need a freon re-charge for 4 years.
I'm just used to cars where it's the opposite - you have to actually turn on the AC. I turned off the AC for a few minutes last week and ever since then, I've now noticed a slight musty odor out of the vents when starting the car. Hopefully, it'll go away as the moisture dries up.
Thanks!
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I just asked this question a few days ago in another topic. It seems during initial start up the A/C is on to dehumidify the car so it won't fog up and then turn itself off after a few minutes of driving. The A/C will go on even though the A/C button is turned off. My '97 E320 never had this feature but I guess this is normal. BTW, thanks to the board members for responding to this question.
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Re: AC Always On?
Originally posted by SDChargers
I've now noticed a slight musty odor out of the vents when starting the car. Hopefully, it'll go away as the moisture dries up.
Thanks
I've now noticed a slight musty odor out of the vents when starting the car. Hopefully, it'll go away as the moisture dries up.
Thanks
Thread Starter
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From: Bay Area
MB E320, BMW 323i
I've read if you turn off the AC compressor the last few minutes of driving to your destination and leave the fan on full it helps to dry out the evaporator
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From: Los Angeles
2003 E320
My last Mercedes had to have the AC actively turned on for it to function, so this is new for me. When I took delivery of my car, they recommended that I always leave the AC on, but I tend to push the AC Off button a lot. I also notice this vinegary musty odor when the AC is off.
My dealer is having an evening get together tomorrow night for all recent Mercedes buyers. I have several questions for them and I'll bring this up.
My dealer is having an evening get together tomorrow night for all recent Mercedes buyers. I have several questions for them and I'll bring this up.
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Originally posted by rickyfanmdr
My last Mercedes had to have the AC actively turned on for it to function, so this is new for me. When I took delivery of my car, they recommended that I always leave the AC on, but I tend to push the AC Off button a lot. I also notice this vinegary musty odor when the AC is off.
My dealer is having an evening get together tomorrow night for all recent Mercedes buyers. I have several questions for them and I'll bring this up.
My last Mercedes had to have the AC actively turned on for it to function, so this is new for me. When I took delivery of my car, they recommended that I always leave the AC on, but I tend to push the AC Off button a lot. I also notice this vinegary musty odor when the AC is off.
My dealer is having an evening get together tomorrow night for all recent Mercedes buyers. I have several questions for them and I'll bring this up.
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2003 E320
OK, I brought this question up at this evening's meeting, and the tech rep had several suggestions:
Turn off the AC compressor the last few minutes of driving to your destination. or
Turn the defroster on periodically. (why would that work? and, no, I didn't ask him)
The idea is to dry out the box inside the system that collects moisture in it.
Definitely do not spray Lysol into the system!!!
Turn off the AC compressor the last few minutes of driving to your destination. or
Turn the defroster on periodically. (why would that work? and, no, I didn't ask him)
The idea is to dry out the box inside the system that collects moisture in it.
Definitely do not spray Lysol into the system!!!
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally posted by rickyfanmdr
OK, I brought this question up at this evening's meeting, and the tech rep had several suggestions:
Turn off the AC compressor the last few minutes of driving to your destination. or
Turn the defroster on periodically. (why would that work? and, no, I didn't ask him)
The idea is to dry out the box inside the system that collects moisture in it.
Definitely do not spray Lysol into the system!!!
OK, I brought this question up at this evening's meeting, and the tech rep had several suggestions:
Turn off the AC compressor the last few minutes of driving to your destination. or
Turn the defroster on periodically. (why would that work? and, no, I didn't ask him)
The idea is to dry out the box inside the system that collects moisture in it.
Definitely do not spray Lysol into the system!!!
We should not have to do any of this, my92 300, 99 ,00 and 01 430 NEVER had a problem with mildew in the AC system...IMHO it's just more first model year BS.
Last edited by RJC; Mar 28, 2003 at 11:41 AM.
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MB E320, BMW 323i
Thank you for asking, Sue - much appreciated!
I still don't get it though - I did turn off the AC one time just to play around and that is when the mildewy odor started showing up in the vents. Oh well. While driving into work this morning, I turned up the fan speed to hopefully continue drying out the moisture.
In terms of the defroster, maybe he meant front windshield defroster since that usually blasts warm air through the front vents? I'll try that next time.
I still don't get it though - I did turn off the AC one time just to play around and that is when the mildewy odor started showing up in the vents. Oh well. While driving into work this morning, I turned up the fan speed to hopefully continue drying out the moisture.
In terms of the defroster, maybe he meant front windshield defroster since that usually blasts warm air through the front vents? I'll try that next time.
Thread Starter
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From: Bay Area
MB E320, BMW 323i
Just a quick update for everyone -
I tried Sue's recommendation and turned on my front defroster for a few minutes (~ 5 mins) during my last two drives before arriving home. The musty odor hasn't appeared since when starting the car so the tip may have worked!
We shall see...
I tried Sue's recommendation and turned on my front defroster for a few minutes (~ 5 mins) during my last two drives before arriving home. The musty odor hasn't appeared since when starting the car so the tip may have worked!
We shall see...
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally posted by SDChargers
Just a quick update for everyone -
I tried Sue's recommendation and turned on my front defroster for a few minutes (~ 5 mins) during my last two drives before arriving home. The musty odor hasn't appeared since when starting the car so the tip may have worked!
We shall see...
Just a quick update for everyone -
I tried Sue's recommendation and turned on my front defroster for a few minutes (~ 5 mins) during my last two drives before arriving home. The musty odor hasn't appeared since when starting the car so the tip may have worked!
We shall see...
Last edited by RJC; Apr 4, 2003 at 05:59 PM.
