Should I turn off AC when I start the car?
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: austin, texas, usa
2006 e320 cdi
Should I turn off AC when I start the car?
Maybe I'm still too old school. Should I turn off the AC when I start the car, or just leave it on? Not sure if it helps or harms the car. It took me a little while to get rid of the habit of putting the gear in neutral every so often after reading the owner's manual stating that will actually be bad for the engine/transmission.... Thanks!
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
When you turn the key to the crank position, all power to accessories is cut so that full voltage is directed towards the starter motor. Its more pronounced on less expensive cars & easier to hear the blower die as you turn the key.
Get ahold of a less expensive car, turn the blower on max, and turn on the radio and wipers if you like, turn the key very slowly from off to on and onward to crank & you will hear the radio go off as well as the blower. The wipers will stop too. When you release the key & it springs back to the On position, the radio & blower go back on.
So no... you don't have to turn off anything... either before you crank or before you shut down.
Get ahold of a less expensive car, turn the blower on max, and turn on the radio and wipers if you like, turn the key very slowly from off to on and onward to crank & you will hear the radio go off as well as the blower. The wipers will stop too. When you release the key & it springs back to the On position, the radio & blower go back on.
So no... you don't have to turn off anything... either before you crank or before you shut down.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 149
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From: austin, texas, usa
2006 e320 cdi
Haha, thanks! I know that I don't have to turn AC off. I just somehow had this impression (forget from where, but it stuck in my mind for decades) that it would help preserving the AC compressor if I don't keep it engaged at start....
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2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
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From: North NJ
06 E55(SOLD), 03 E500(SOLD)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 149
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From: austin, texas, usa
2006 e320 cdi
This is in the owner's manual: "Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other reason with gear selector lever in N can result in transmission damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty"
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
So for the MB hit the key and drive.
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I thought you had to move the manual spark lever to retard PRIOR to spinning the crank to prevent injury.
