Climate control - air conditioning

[sequoiadogg]

I purchased a used '03 outback wagon with a climate control system. I've noticed that, while switching through the different modes, when I get to the mode with the defroster the air conditioning comes on. Is this normal?

[Mark-O-Back]

I purchased a used '03 outback wagon with a climate control system. I've noticed that, while switching through the different modes, when I get to the mode with the defroster the air conditioning comes on. Is this normal?

 

Yes, works better as the air is dried by the AC.

[ericem]

Ya i couldnt understand that either in my Nissan Titan u put it in defrost and i see the ac light on and kept pressing it. Then i called nisan and got the same answer.

[nipper]

They been like that for years now, ever since cars got more air tight. i hate it when im stuck behind a truck and the defrosters are on, cant turn to recirc.

 

nipper

[forester2002s]

... and the defrosters are on, cant turn to recirc.

When I switch to recirc in my 2002 Forester, I am (almost) sure that this is a manual operation, because I can hear and feel a flap(?) move behind the controls. If I'm correct, then this means that I can turn to recirc regardless of the heater settings.

[nipper]

When I switch to recirc in my 2002 Forester, I am (almost) sure that this is a manual operation, because I can hear and feel a flap(?) move behind the controls. If I'm correct, then this means that I can turn to recirc regardless of the heater settings.

 

my 1997 cant, nor my 1998

 

nipper

[SaltCar]

My '96 is the same way. When you hit the defrost button the recirculate light goes out. I guess defrost is fresh air only.

 

But you can turn up the heat on defrost and get warm (ambient) dry air blowing on the windows, very effective.