rcjays

Is there any problem with running the A/C with the top down? On real hot days it seems a lot cooler if I run the A/C and just let the cool air flow up out of the car. I also run the heater when it is cold. I like my comfort! Do others do the same. I also raise the windows if necessary to control the comfort level. I know some frown on having the windows up and the top down! Just want to follow Vette etiquette! JDA

Aggie76

We do exactly the same; mainly on the passenger side where my spouse is more sensitive to outside temps and than I am. Rare to run a/c but we've done it a couple times. Might run it more now that I've installed the Windrestrictor to reduce wind in the cockpit.

biker1059

I have run the A/C with the top down, usually when the temp goes over 90 degrees. Haven't had the Vette in winter months yet but I'm sure I'll use the heater and seat warmers with the top down.

TerryL

I run it whenever I want to. I've also learned that running it in re circulation mode helps remove the heat from the foot wells.

RJRSW

I live in Tucson and leave the AC in auto setting pretty much all the time with the top down when it is hot or cold outside. The computer changes the fan speeds automatically to compensate for the top being down. If it didn't adjust the fan would be running at full speed constantly when the weather is hot and the top is down.

The AC actually works quite well with the top down and when the temps are in the 90's and low 100's. Makes sitting at a stop sign surprisingly cool and comfortable.

As far as driving any of my vettes with the top down and windows up I have owned 20 vette converts and been driving them since I was 17 and never have driven with the windows up and the top down even one time. That includes many long trips on the freeway with the top down. The only people that I see do that here in Tucson are little old ladies in their Mercedes SLK's.

cranky

yes, your comfortable, but your engine is not. your oil temps skyrocket among other things. your throwing extra heat into your cooling system. but i guess engines are cheap for you..........

slapshot12

We do it too.....

Norskie

Yup, we do it too. Also drive with the windows up if we want to. Our car so we do whatever we feel like doing with it. I couldn't care less what others think about it. I've had convertibles off and on since 1965 and never been concerned with what others think. If I concerned myself with what other people thought, I never would have bought a convertible in the north country.

Rebel Yell

Nah it ain't. It doesn't run any hotter either way. I've done it for years without any overheating problems.

cclive

I haven't done it myself but there's nothing wrong with it. I have found that it doesn't make much difference at 80mph and that's about the only time I am in 100 degree temps. Use the A/C whenever you want, the car is designed to be fine with it and it's your car.

AORoads

I can't recall having it in auto mode, but I do use it a lot of the time with the top down. That way, I can adjust fan, temp, etc. Yeh, probably does nothing at speed, but it's all psychological: I "feel" cooler even tho I may not be. Kinda like my car is always quicker just after a wash, but really fast after a polish.

USA1 427

Did it today as a matter of fact. And sometimes I use the heat with the top down. Depends on the outside temp. But it won't hurt a thing.
But I sure wish they would have put AIR CONDITIONED SEATS in these things.

cclive

That would be nice at 100 degrees and 80mph.

Knob Jockey

Air conditioned seats and that 'Air Scarf' thing Mercedes has in their head-rests would be great.

haljensen

I don't know, is there any problem setting your house A/C at 60° when it's 90° outside and then opening all the doors and windows of the house or setting your house furnace at 80° when it's 0° outside and then opening all the doors and windows in the house?

Other than extreme wear and tear on the A/C, Heat and fan units and the foolishness of trying to heat or cool the outside there's nothing wrong with it.

John Harry

Hal: Most of your posts are right on, but I have to disagree with this one. "Extreme wear and tear"? Nah, the heat and a/c systems are designed to be used, nothing extreme about it. "Foolishness of trying to heat or cool the outside"? But this is actually not what you're doing - the system maintains a comfortable pocket of air within the passenger compartment, which is not at all foolish if it lets you enjoy your vert. Sure, some air spills out, but so what?

If I only drove with the top down when neither heat nor cooling were needed in order to be comfortable here in Pittsburgh, it would get used about four weeks a year. That's not why I bought it.

I bet more C6 a/c systems quit because the seals fail due to lack of use than due to overuse.

haljensen

I think the analogy of doing the same for your house is pretty accurate. You are trying to condition outside air. The cars A/C and Heat is designed for the small enclosed area of the car, not the infinite area of the outside. If the additional wear and tear on the systems doesn't bother you then it's not a problem.

The seal failure has pretty much disappeared since car manufactuers started using the A/C with the defrost cycle, that way the refrigerant and oil get cycled a few times during cold weather.

RJRSW

So you never run the AC or heat when you have the top down on your corvette convert?

I have owned 20 vette converts and been driving them since I was 17 and have always done that if the conditions dictated it even when they didn't have AC I ran the vent fan when it was hot out.

I have been doing that for over 30 years here in Tucson. The last two vette converts I sold had 95k and 105k on them when they were sold and never had any problem with the fans or AC systems. My 2007 convert will turn 8 years old in October and no problems ever with that one and always have left the control in automatic setting.

I leave the control on automatic and let the computer make the adjustments when the top is down or up. GM made provisions in the controls software to work properly for both situations just like they did with the radio volume that automatically adjusts based on if the top is down or up and the speed of the car.

drich2905

I do the same thing. Down in south Georgia you will bake with the top down and AC off. Sure feels good when you keep it on and come to a stop...nice cool air blowing on you

rcjays

I started this thread and I thank everyone for their input. Most everyone was on track and had good info. It appears that most run the A/c if needed. I disagree with the person who said the temps skyrocket with the A/C on. I have monitored the temps, both oil and water and I don't see much change. Aa\s one reply said, the car is built to run the A/C. If it weren't how could we ever keep cool in the hot weather. Drive real fast with the window open. Thanks, JDa