Turn on/off Air Conditioner?
05-30-18 | 07:54 PM
#61
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Hong Kong
This work-around always works on my 2016 RX4 Sport+ but I don't know f it works on other RX4's equipped with so-called Type B 3-mode A/C control:
- Turn off "Auto" climate control.
- Toggle between "Recirculated Air Mode" (Compressor Off), Automatic (Compressor On), Outside Air Mode (Compressor Off) to switch A/C compressor On/Off.
Last edited by PatrickKan; 05-30-18 at 11:15 PM.
05-31-18 | 12:14 AM
#62
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 419
Likes: 109
From: NorCal
Don't encourage him... let him drift away.
I've been driving Lexus' for 25 years; about 8 different models, and I don't remember the last time I saw an A/C on/off button. While I agree that there isn't a big impact on having it on all the time, I do want the choice and it would be easy to deliver.
I suspect that the reason they don't offer this ability is because of their concern that some percentage of users might turn it off and then complain that the A/C 'isn't working so it's easier to just make it very difficult to turn off the compressor. If I was skeptical/conspiratorial, I might wonder if they sell more A/C parts and service if it's on all the time.
I've been driving Lexus' for 25 years; about 8 different models, and I don't remember the last time I saw an A/C on/off button. While I agree that there isn't a big impact on having it on all the time, I do want the choice and it would be easy to deliver.
I suspect that the reason they don't offer this ability is because of their concern that some percentage of users might turn it off and then complain that the A/C 'isn't working so it's easier to just make it very difficult to turn off the compressor. If I was skeptical/conspiratorial, I might wonder if they sell more A/C parts and service if it's on all the time.
05-31-18 | 12:30 AM
#63
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 419
Likes: 109
From: NorCal
This work-around always works on my 2016 RX4 Sport+ but I don't know f it works on other RX4's equipped with so-called Type B 3-mode A/C control:
- Turn off "Auto" climate control.
- Toggle between "Recirculated Air Mode" (Compressor Off), Automatic (Compressor On), Outside Air Mode (Compressor Off) to switch A/C compressor On/Off.
05-31-18 | 03:06 AM
#64
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 978
Likes: 124
From: MN
the big screen area right, the small screen on that ?? (nav area)
not sure why anyone wouldn't use auto, it works great for me,
05-31-18 | 07:55 AM
#65
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 343
From: Ontario, Canada
A few weeks ago, I mentioned the lack of Dual (temperature) button on 16-17 model.
Now, I realized we don't have the AC button either.
In the summer, about 30 seconds before the destination, I shut the AC off, fan high so it vents out all the moisture.
I've done it for the past 20 years and none of my cars smelled like mold.
But without the AC button, before I arrive, while I drive, I go to Menu - Climate - scroll to AC and click.
It's a major hassle and distraction.
Now, I realized we don't have the AC button either.
In the summer, about 30 seconds before the destination, I shut the AC off, fan high so it vents out all the moisture.
I've done it for the past 20 years and none of my cars smelled like mold.
But without the AC button, before I arrive, while I drive, I go to Menu - Climate - scroll to AC and click.
It's a major hassle and distraction.
05-31-18 | 10:20 AM
#66
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 117
From: ca
mine is always off, in auto so that the fans and seat are controlled automatically.
if I want the AC I press the AUTO button again and lower the temp to LO or whatever.
Also, switching to re-circulation mode AUTO kicks on the ac as well
I also turn off the AC when I exit the freeway and put it to outside air and increase the ventilation fans to prevent the nasty mold mildew smell over time
if I want the AC I press the AUTO button again and lower the temp to LO or whatever.
Also, switching to re-circulation mode AUTO kicks on the ac as well
I also turn off the AC when I exit the freeway and put it to outside air and increase the ventilation fans to prevent the nasty mold mildew smell over time
06-04-18 | 12:19 PM
#67
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 549
Likes: 183
From: NC
Interesting discussion, I also turn off the AC in my 2016 RX350 by the soft button on the screen if I'm in the car by myself. (I just split my display). I also own a Acura and when I turn off the AC manually in about 10min the rear window fogs up & the bottom part of the front windshield fogs a little. I ask the Acura service guy and he told me that circulating air is needed to help keep the humidity down so the windows won’t fog. He told me some other things but since this is a Lexus forum I'll leave it at that. At least I do have a button in my Acura that gave me a choice, but newer cars these days seem to need air flow inside. The car manufacture should let the user decided, but more and more they are taking these things away from the user. Soon the cars will start driving themselves and preset the A/C to our body temperature. 
CB
CB
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Oldfart (06-04-18)
06-04-18 | 12:43 PM
#68
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 2,573
From: NJ
Interesting discussion, I also turn off the AC in my 2016 RX350 by the soft button on the screen if I'm in the car by myself. (I just split my display). I also own a Acura and when I turn off the AC manually in about 10min the rear window fogs up & the bottom part of the front windshield fogs a little. I ask the Acura service guy and he told me that circulating air is needed to help keep the humidity down so the windows won’t fog. He told me some other things but since this is a Lexus forum I'll leave it at that. At least I do have a button in my Acura that gave me a choice, but newer cars these days seem to need air flow inside. The car manufacture should let the user decided, but more and more they are taking these things away from the user. Soon the cars will start driving themselves and preset the A/C to our body temperature. CB
CB
04-15-21 | 11:47 AM
#70
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 125
Likes: 12
From: DC
How to turn On/Off A/C quickly?
I have a 2017 RX350. I know how to turn on/off A/C by poking through the menu. But people in my family do not know how to turn the A/C on or off when need. Is there a quick way to turn A/C on/off without going the through the menu with multiple steps? Honestly I like the old car with the A/C button on the dash
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
04-15-21 | 11:57 AM
#71
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 2,573
From: NJ
I have a 2017 RX350. I know how to turn on/off A/C by poking through the menu. But people in my family do not know how to turn the A/C on or off when need. Is there a quick way to turn A/C on/off without going the through the menu with multiple steps? Honestly I like the old car with the A/C button on the dash
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
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WIZARD1325 (04-15-21)
04-15-21 | 02:52 PM
#73
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 2,573
From: NJ
Then I believe menu is your only option. They want it running all the time for some reason even in cooler months. Some system benefits I believe, lube seals etc.
04-15-21 | 07:38 PM
#75
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 692
Likes: 420
From: WV
I have a 2017 RX350. I know how to turn on/off A/C by poking through the menu. But people in my family do not know how to turn the A/C on or off when need. Is there a quick way to turn A/C on/off without going the through the menu with multiple steps? Honestly I like the old car with the A/C button on the dash