I've seen many people do it. Several blocks before parking the car, they would turn off AC and let the air come through on "Vent" mode. Something about clearing the system to prevent condensation while the car is parked. What's the logic behind this practice?
When you turn the compressor off it gives some time for the water to drain out or evaporate from the coils. Many believe this helps in controling that funny smell when you turn the ac on at the beginning of your drive.
It absolutely works for me. My AC smelled real bad when I would start the car until I had the dealer clean it out under warranty. Since then, I push the snow flake button to stop the cooling about five minutes before arriving at my destination. I have been doing this for the past two years and still no smell.
I do it... more to keep the A/C from coming on as soon as I turn the key when I start it the next time. I also turn off the radio on my C4 before turning off the car so the antennae doesn't extend when I start the car...
Call me OLD, but I've always done it.....on max blower to purge as much moisture as possible from the evaporator coils to help prevent mold from growing........thus odor.
Those that don't get it,,,,,,,,,,,,,I don't get you not getting it!!!!
I do it... more to keep the A/C from coming on as soon as I turn the key when I start it the next time. I also turn off the radio on my C4 before turning off the car so the antennae doesn't extend when I start the car...
OCD... maybe, but it works for me.
There is a built in delay....the compressor does not run as soon as the car starts. They fixed that problem decades ago.
I used to have a locker room smell when I first started the AC. I just started the last two weeks shutting the AC down by pushing the snow flake button and letting it run for a minute or two. The locker room smell has gone away when I first put the AC on. It is worth a try if you have a mildew smell when you first start the AC.
for those of us where the temps stay high as does the humidity, following this practice helps eliminate mildew and mold plus reduces their smells on start up. owners manual on my truck even says to do this as well as leave in fresh air mode during parking to avoid mildew, mold, etc. OCD - yeah probably but it seem to work and if the OM says to do it, it can't be wrong !
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"never try to teach a pig to sing ..... its a waste of your time and it annoys the pig"
This was a common problem on the C5, Cheby released a TSB where they disinfected the vents and installed a relay where the HVAC fan sans compressor would run for a minute or two after you shut the car down.
I had the smell on my 99 and after the TSB fix my problems was solved. So at least back on the C5 this worked to vent the system and eliminate the nasty smell in the HVAC system.
I'm sure you can visit the C5 section for specifi details on that TSB as I believe it was left in effect till then end of C5 production.
I have been doing this for 30 years or more. Before I started this dumb procedure I had recurring bad smell problems. No more. I believe if you do get the smell and don't do anything about it that eventually there will be enough junk in the condenser that you will loose some cooling. Then it will need to be cleaned.
I have cleaned condensers with chlorine and water. Make certain that the water drain from the condenser to the ground is open. That will plug in time if there is enough junk growing in the condenser. Using maximum fan speed helps to flush the junk down the drain hose.
The logic is that stagnant water can contribute to mold and mildew growth. Under the right circumstances (environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity) leaving the AC on until you shut the car off in your garage will leave condensation behind in the system which will mold.
By turning off the AC a mile or two prior to reaching your destination and turning the car you will allow any moisture built up to dry out and you will reduce the likely hood that you will get mold in your vent system which will produce an oder in the future. It is a documented condition and has happened in previous generation Corvettes.
Of course, outside air temperature, humidity and frequency of use will all contribute to whether or not you ever experience these problems. So of course, those that have will tell you it works, those that haven't will tell you it is A.D.D., O.C., Hogwash, wives tales and a host of other colorful descriptions for the behavior. Science will tell you it makes sense. You make the final decision.
Corvette Store
Turning AC off before shutting engine down.
mine has been on auto since I bought last november. last car was a G35 and it was on auto the 3 years I drove, worked great
"never try to teach a pig to sing ..... its a waste of your time and it annoys the pig"
