Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Mr.OmegaMan on 21 August 2013, 06:02:50

Title: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 21 August 2013, 06:02:50
I have an A/C question for all OOFers to answer, When you use the Air Conditioning on your car do you use Air Recirculation at all ? What's your set up for winter/summer ?

I've never used it to be honest in Auto or Manual mode, I don't even use it in Auto mode either...

Would using Air Recirculation be better for keeping the interior cool in return less strain on the system and better mpg so a win win option OR would it get stuffy on a long journey with the same old air going around ?

Daft question I know but after following the instructions regarding the need to put it in Air Recirculation mode to use this A/C Bomb cleaner got me thinking, Is there a more efficient way to use Air Conditioning...

Thanks, Will be interesting to see the responses to this..  :)
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Andy663 on 21 August 2013, 07:51:50
I generally use it on hot days to cool the car quickly, it takes less time to cool already cold air than to cool warm air coming from outside. After about 5 mins I turn it off as I find it does get a bit stuffy, especially with the 3 passengers. You'll use less fuel as the air con system doesn't have to work quite so hard.
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: VXL V6 on 21 August 2013, 08:04:30
Leave mine in Auto recirc all the time and temp set to 21 99% of the time.
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Lazydocker on 21 August 2013, 08:08:40
Mines got a leak but normally... Temp at required setting (normally 19-20), Auto and Auto Recirculation too :y

Ok, sub 30mph opening the window may be a fraction cheaper but I didn't buy an Omega to worry about running costs ;)
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: mantahatch on 21 August 2013, 08:08:45
Personally I have air con switched on all year. As it dries the air as well. And if you ever have to change a v6 compressor you will never want to do it again, so I keep it running  :)

Having it switched off means the drivebelt is constantly running the little bearing in the pulley, these will dry out the grease after extended periods of running.

Yes if you are lucky you can just change the clutch assembly/bearing bit. If you are unlucky you have to change the whole compressor.

Each to there own though I do a very low mileage so fuel use not an issue.

Forgot to add I never use recirc. Thought I read somwhere to not use recirc for more than 15 minutes or so. And thought later ones automatically turn it off after 15 minutes. My memory is not what it once was so maybe I dreamt this  ;D
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: tunnie on 21 August 2013, 08:19:35
Never use it, unless about to go into a cloud of smoke, in which case pop it on before get there.

If you sneeze ect, you just get germs going around and around and around, like to keep fresh stuff coming in  :)
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Andy B on 21 August 2013, 09:33:03
99% of the time I leave it in AUTO apart from as above ie a cloud of dirty diseasal exhaust etc
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: dbdb on 21 August 2013, 09:49:02
There's an option for smoky situations - with air con on (i.e. no 'eco' sign) press the climate control re-circulate button once and the circle appears, press again and an A appears in the circle -  this will automatically switch to re-circulate when pollution is detected by the air quality sensor and switch back afterwards
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: VXL V6 on 21 August 2013, 12:55:49
There's an option for smoky situations - with air con on (i.e. no 'eco' sign) press the climate control re-circulate button once and the circle appears, press again and an A appears in the circle -  this will automatically switch to re-circulate when pollution is detected by the air quality sensor and switch back afterwards
Yep, hence why I leave it in Auto Recirc and Auto, never have to touch it then.
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 21 August 2013, 14:26:24
Interesting responses  :y

I tend to normally when it's hot turn to low on both sides and fan speed 3 pointing at the symbol pointing at a persons face using the vents using the outside air, Seems to work fine that way.

Winter tend to leave it on the windscreen unless very cold the feet area as well.

One reason I don't like the Complete Auto mode is it's a tad noisy selecting its own fan speed which is usually full speed (yes i could turn the fan speed down manually but hasn't it selected fill speed for a reason ?) and I haven't seen it on any Omega slow down but then again I probably haven't left it in Auto long enough  :-\

Oh how it was simpler turning knobs on older cars for the heater/cooler  ::) ;D
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: VXL V6 on 21 August 2013, 14:31:58
One reason I don't like the Complete Auto mode is it's a tad noisy selecting its own fan speed which is usually full speed (yes i could turn the fan speed down manually but hasn't it selected fill speed for a reason ?) and I haven't seen it on any Omega slow down but then again I probably haven't left it in Auto long enough  :-\

Clearly you need to have the Climate software updated  ;)
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 21 August 2013, 14:47:21
One reason I don't like the Complete Auto mode is it's a tad noisy selecting its own fan speed which is usually full speed (yes i could turn the fan speed down manually but hasn't it selected fill speed for a reason ?) and I haven't seen it on any Omega slow down but then again I probably haven't left it in Auto long enough  :-\

Clearly you need to have the Climate software updated  ;)

It has apparently when it had the V9 gearbox update  :-\
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Shackeng on 21 August 2013, 16:59:00
Personally I have air con switched on all year. As it dries the air as well. And if you ever have to change a v6 compressor you will never want to do it again, so I keep it running  :)

Having it switched off means the drivebelt is constantly running the little bearing in the pulley, these will dry out the grease after extended periods of running.

Yes if you are lucky you can just change the clutch assembly/bearing bit. If you are unlucky you have to change the whole compressor.

Each to there own though I do a very low mileage so fuel use not an issue.

Forgot to add I never use recirc. Thought I read somwhere to not use recirc for more than 15 minutes or so. And thought later ones automatically turn it off after 15 minutes. My memory is not what it once was so maybe I dreamt this  ;D

Everyone says this, but I honestly found it very easy with the bagpipes removed. Access to the retaining torx from underneath is very easy with a 6" wobbly extension. I did remove mine with the pipes attached, then disconnected them afterwards, and I suspect that those who go down the "difficult" route of removing the pipes before the compressor would indeed not want to repeat it. :y :y :y
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: ronnyd on 21 August 2013, 20:56:22
Mines got a leak but normally... Temp at required setting (normally 19-20), Auto and Auto Recirculation too :y

Ok, sub 30mph opening the window may be a fraction cheaper but I didn't buy an Omega to worry about running costs ;)
Hear hear!I also didn,t buy mine to worry about the running costs, it,s there to enjoy. : :)
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: YZ250 on 22 August 2013, 11:01:21

One reason I don't like the Complete Auto mode is it's a tad noisy selecting its own fan speed which is usually full speed (yes i could turn the fan speed down manually but hasn't it selected fill speed for a reason ?) and I haven't seen it on any Omega slow down but then again I probably haven't left it in Auto long enough  :-\

When the system is working properly the temp will be reached much quicker and the fan will automatically slow down and stay down for longer periods. It then cuts in at full speed for shorter periods when needed for cooling again. It's much less annoying then.  :y
As for the Air Recirculation, I forgot it was Auto and tend to just press the button when needed,  :-[ but then the heater and ventilation part of the hand book is eleven pages long and I got bored half way through.  ::)
As for the Climate Control 'Auto or Eco', I use Auto as I'm a firm believer in 'Use it or lose it' with car A/C.
Title: Re: I have an A/C question for all OOFers...
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 August 2013, 11:51:56
One reason I don't like the Complete Auto mode is it's a tad noisy selecting its own fan speed which is usually full speed (yes i could turn the fan speed down manually but hasn't it selected fill speed for a reason ?) and I haven't seen it on any Omega slow down but then again I probably haven't left it in Auto long enough  :-\

Clearly you need to have the Climate software updated  ;)

The climate panel also has a setting to calm the automatic fan speed which you can select with a Tech2. (I suspect they added it due to customer complaints) That and the latest firmware make it better, but I still find myself adjusting the fan speed down automatically. Maybe it's just me, but if the car is 2 degrees warmer than I've set, I don't really see the need for a roaring gale out of the vents. ::)

The big advantage with the latest firmware is that if doesn't select the fan sped back to maximum every time you adjust the temperature.