Turning AC off before shutting engine down.
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Turning AC off before shutting engine down.
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?
Thanks,
Thanks,
#2
Racer
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.
#3
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2004
Location: Roselle Park NJ
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I've never heard of this. Frankly, I don't see any value in doing it.
#7
Goon Squad King of Battle
Member Since: May 2008
Location: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Posts: 118,138
Received 920 Likes
on
356 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13x3- '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
I haven't run the A/C yet. Top is off ALL the time.
My mom does this with her truck. Something to do with leaking on the garage floor.
My mom does this with her truck. Something to do with leaking on the garage floor.
#8
Burning Brakes
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.
#9
Drifting
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.
OCD... maybe, but it works for me.
#10
Drifting
Member Since: May 2005
Location: "Cedar Valley" (Northeastern) Iowa
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
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!!!!
Those that don't get it,,,,,,,,,,,,,I don't get you not getting it!!!!
#11
Safety Car
I've heard just the opposite, that it's good practice to leave the A/C on while stopping and starting the engine. Go figure.
#12
Safety Car
#14
Burning Brakes
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.
#15
Safety Car
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 !
#16
Team Owner
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 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.
#18
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.
Happy motoring.
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.
Happy motoring.
#19
Team Owner
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.
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.
#20