IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Cold air without using the AC??

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Old 08-12-11, 07:58 PM
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KML505
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Default Cold air without using the AC??

What's going on fellow 2IS owners?! I thought I would ask if anybody here has experience this. I found that setting the air on the windshield defroster/feet combo, AC off, air circulating in the cabin and lower the temp to a low temperature that the air gets pretty darn cold. It's as cold as having AC on minus the sluggishness. Am I mistaken? Is the freon being used with these settings on because it feels like it. Try it out and let me know your thoughts. After a few minutes, the air gets pretty darn cold. Maybe the air is blowing through the freon compartment with these settings on? Just curious.
Old 08-12-11, 08:05 PM
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KillaIS250
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Ima go try this tonight now
Old 08-12-11, 08:18 PM
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Jeff Lange
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When you use defrost, A/C is activated as a dehumidifier, whether you have the A/C switch set to on or not.

Jeff
Old 08-12-11, 08:51 PM
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embolism
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any time the defrost symbol is on whether big or small with the footwell, then the AC is running.

I made that mistake last winter, and I paid for it with lower mileage as a result...
Old 08-12-11, 09:47 PM
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Sango
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^
Since the AC is on a seperate system, I don't quite see how it would lower the mileage. It is not like back in the day where the AC system was on a belt and used the engine.
Old 08-12-11, 11:33 PM
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Jeff Lange
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Originally Posted by Sango
^
Since the AC is on a seperate system, I don't quite see how it would lower the mileage. It is not like back in the day where the AC system was on a belt and used the engine.
The AC compressor is still on a belt and uses the engine, it's not a separate system; even if it was electric (which it's not), the electricity would have to come from somewhere (the alternator, which is on a belt, driven by the engine). Turning anything on in your car uses more gas in one way or another, unless you're coasting down a hill harnessing the power of gravity.

Jeff

Last edited by Jeff Lange; 08-13-11 at 07:22 AM.
Old 08-13-11, 03:15 AM
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Squirrelz
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Originally Posted by Jeff Lange
When you use defrost, A/C is activated as a dehumidifier, whether you have the A/C switch set to on or not.

Jeff
This. For those of you who think it isn't, then please explain to me how warm air outside gets colder? Yeah, that's right, an A/C unit.
Old 08-13-11, 11:02 AM
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Sango
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Originally Posted by Jeff Lange
The AC compressor is still on a belt and uses the engine, it's not a separate system; even if it was electric (which it's not), the electricity would have to come from somewhere (the alternator, which is on a belt, driven by the engine). Turning anything on in your car uses more gas in one way or another, unless you're coasting down a hill harnessing the power of gravity.

Jeff
I guess the Toyota rep led to me! When I started looking at Lexus at Toyota initially (before I started going to Lexus dealers), the guy said, oh it's electronic.

Also, when I'm in the car when I had the AC on, I didn't notice the RPM needle dropped - as opposed to if I were in my Camry back in the day, if I turned it on, the RPM did move a wii bit down.
Old 08-13-11, 01:01 PM
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Bichon
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Originally Posted by Sango
I guess the Toyota rep led to me! When I started looking at Lexus at Toyota initially (before I started going to Lexus dealers), the guy said, oh it's electronic.

Also, when I'm in the car when I had the AC on, I didn't notice the RPM needle dropped - as opposed to if I were in my Camry back in the day, if I turned it on, the RPM did move a wii bit down.
The IS has a sophisticated variable displacement compressor that varies the stroke of the piston to change its capacity from its full rating down to near zero. That's why you don't feel it cycling on and off like in an older car.
Old 08-13-11, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Lange
The AC compressor is still on a belt and uses the engine, it's not a separate system; even if it was electric (which it's not), the electricity would have to come from somewhere (the alternator, which is on a belt, driven by the engine). Turning anything on in your car uses more gas in one way or another, unless you're coasting down a hill harnessing the power of gravity.

Jeff
correct. i just got my car back from the dealer. and had weird noise happen to be the belt for the ac.
Old 08-14-11, 05:43 PM
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KML505
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Well that sucks! I thought I figured out a way to keep cool without using AC. What a buzz kill....
Old 08-14-11, 07:01 PM
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Damn i was excited for a second too
Old 08-14-11, 07:11 PM
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Perpetuum mobile this is not... would have been sweet though
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