Pbob

Yep, any additional load, even if an electrically powered load, will cause a decrease in fuel economy. The A/C compressor is a significant load and I prefer to keep it off if it's not needed. Would be nice if all (not just some) auto makers would give consumers to the option to not have the A/C comp automatically kick on when defrost is selected.

I bought a new 2014 Fusion Hybrid about a month ago. Does anybody know if there's a system setting somewhere that changes the climate control fan speed so it's much slower when it's on the lowest setting? In other words, I would like just a small amount of air coming through the front vents. However, when I have the fan speed set to the lowest possible setting, there's still a pretty decent flow of air coming out of the vents and the system is definitely not in AUTO mode. I like to keep it cool in the car but I just don't like to feel air blasting me. I don't like to run it with defrost vents selected becauses that forces the A/C comp to kick on.