Electronic Climate Control Dumb Question

[Hat Eater]

Hi Folks,

 

My car has the full 502A with the TV screen in the dash that controls the HVAC. Yesterday was a warm day and I wanted to run the car with just the outside vents running air in but no heating and no A/C. I can't seem to figure out how to do this. When the system is "On" it's in the mode where the driver gets a temperature, say 69 degrees, and it will choose A/C or heat and maintain it. But turn the system "Off", the outside vents clam up and nothing comes out of the dash vents. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground. Am I missing something here?

 

Thanks,

 

Befuddled Old Joe

[akirby]

Leave the system ON but take it out of Auto mode by turning off the A/C and recirculate mode, then select the dash vent on the touchscreen and adjust the fan speed and temp manually.

[Hat Eater]

OK, I'm a dummy. Turns out that over the week I've been driving this thing it has *not* been in auto climate control at all. It looks like when it's in standard outside recirculation mode the screen display still displays the set temperature that you have it at, and probably tries to do its best to maintain that by adjusting fan levels, etc. accordingly. By playing with the buttons I lit up the "Auto" mode and I could clearly see what I've been doing wrong, and feel what I've been missing!

 

All this new-fangled stuff... I've never had a car this sophisticated.

 

Joe

[lolder]

Hi Folks,

 

My car has the full 502A with the TV screen in the dash that controls the HVAC. Yesterday was a warm day and I wanted to run the car with just the outside vents running air in but no heating and no A/C. I can't seem to figure out how to do this. When the system is "On" it's in the mode where the driver gets a temperature, say 69 degrees, and it will choose A/C or heat and maintain it. But turn the system "Off", the outside vents clam up and nothing comes out of the dash vents. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground. Am I missing something here?

 

Thanks,

 

Befuddled Old Joe

This weekend, take an hour or more and sit in the car with the Owners Guide and learn how to use everything without having to drive at the same time. You may have to do this several times. The system is designed to best work very simply in Auto with only temperature selection. It then defaults to that every time you "start' the car. Running it in manual takes more knowledge but you can do anything under the sun with it. In moderate temperatures, one of the simplest is turning the HVAC OFF, cracking the moonroof to trail vent and cracking a rear window an inch. Don't have an accident fiddling with the gadgets. That's a real hazard.

[Hat Eater]

You'll have to trust me, I'm doing all this in the parking lot at lunch. When underway my attention is to my outside environment.

 

Joe

[rfruth]

The HVAC system leaves something to be desired (and that's putting it nicely) - moon roof in vent mode with window(s) down as needed works fine and is easier - sometimes (for longer trips) ya may want to fiddle with the HVAC system and the fan speed to get things just right OR just close the windows and use "auto" and let the car figure out whats best (works great, is simple and in mild weather doubt you take much of a hit in the MPG department)

[AptosDriver]

The HVAC system leaves something to be desired (and that's putting it nicely) - moon roof in vent mode with window(s) down as needed works fine and is easier - sometimes (for longer trips) ya may want to fiddle with the HVAC system and the fan speed to get things just right OR just close the windows and use "auto" and let the car figure out whats best (works great, is simple and in mild weather doubt you take much of a hit in the MPG department)

My wife is a technophobe who's never learned to operate our Comcast remote. The FFH, if we get one, would mainly be her car. I worry that she'd never learn to operate the heating/cooling system through the touch-screen NAV system. Are there alternative buttons/knobs to operate the climate-control system in a fully loaded FFH, or are the screen-based controls the only option?

[mort]

Hi Aptos Driver,

You can get a copy (pdf) of the owners manual. See page 50 for climate control with the nav.

 

But to be quick: there is a button "auto" it does everything just right:

8. AUTO: Press to engage full automatic operation. The system will

automatically determine fan speed, airflow distribution, A/C on or off,

and outside or recirculated air, to heat or cool the vehicle to reach the

desired temperature.

 

-mort

 

My wife is a technophobe who's never learned to operate our Comcast remote. The FFH, if we get one, would mainly be her car. I worry that she'd never learn to operate the heating/cooling system through the touch-screen NAV system. Are there alternative buttons/knobs to operate the climate-control system in a fully loaded FFH, or are the screen-based controls the only option?

[lolder]

My wife is a technophobe who's never learned to operate our Comcast remote. The FFH, if we get one, would mainly be her car. I worry that she'd never learn to operate the heating/cooling system through the touch-screen NAV system. Are there alternative buttons/knobs to operate the climate-control system in a fully loaded FFH, or are the screen-based controls the only option?

We share our FFH and my wife loves it for its ease of entry, handling, quietness, economy, seating comfort, etc. She does nothing but push "Auto" of the HVAC or open the windows, uses the accelerator pedal, brake and speedometer. The rest is wasted on her.

[drolds1]

My wife is a technophobe who's never learned to operate our Comcast remote. The FFH, if we get one, would mainly be her car. I worry that she'd never learn to operate the heating/cooling system through the touch-screen NAV system. Are there alternative buttons/knobs to operate the climate-control system in a fully loaded FFH, or are the screen-based controls the only option?

 

There are actually 3 options for operation of the climate: touch screen, hard controls and voice. The latter is particularly useful in situations in which you don't want to/shouldn't take your eyes off the road at all. However, there are some functions, e.g., Fº/Cº conversions and direction of airflow that must be done through the touch screen.

[DaveM]

Is there a way to put it in auto using the touch screen?

[AptosDriver]

There are actually 3 options for operation of the climate: touch screen, hard controls and voice. The latter is particularly useful in situations in which you don't want to/shouldn't take your eyes off the road at all. However, there are some functions, e.g., Fº/Cº conversions and direction of airflow that must be done through the touch screen.

What about the defroster operation? Button, touch or voice or all three?

[Hat Eater]

Is there a way to put it in auto using the touch screen?

 

Yes. The only thing I found confusing about the system is that when the system is *not* in Auto mode it still displays the pre-set temperature for driver and passenger. This is what had me originally thinking that the system A.) worked poorly and B.) didn't have a way to *not* be in auto mode.

 

That said, when it is in Auto mode it's pretty obvious.

 

Joe

[Hat Eater]

What about the defroster operation? Button, touch or voice or all three?

 

Button and touch for defrost, haven't even tried the voice recognition stuff yet.

 

Just sold the Cherokee this morning, looks like I have to keep the FFH now...

 

Joe

[drolds1]

What about the defroster operation? Button, touch or voice or all three?

 

All three, both front and rear.

[CometFlash]

Like everyone else has said, just select your desired comfort temperature, hit one simple button (auto) and NEVER look at climate control ever again in the lifetime of the vehicle. Simple as that. I've had EATS since my 2004 F-150 Lariat, and would never want to do without it.

 

It doesn't have MyFord Touch, which is the system that Consumer Reports claims is too difficult to navigate and that they wish had hard buttons to do those functions. I don't see the FFH getting MYF until 2013MY.

 

PS Oh, I've been in the MKZH, but haven't driven one. It was virtually identical to the FFH, but gussied up a bit with some wood veneers and diff. leather seating material, some snap-on chromed pieces that covered the wheels to make them look shiny, etc. Fancier for sure, but felt the exact same sitting in there and all. What's crazy is that it was a Lincoln, and my '09 F-150 was "only" a Ford, yet my Platinum was WAY more luxurious than the MKZH. It had real brushed aluminum interior, auto running boards, real polished-aluminum wheels, etc. Crazy luxurious. The MKZH kinda had that "faux-luxury" feel to it, like stuck-on pieces and such that were masking plastic or chrome snap-on wheel covers, again to make it look like luxury, but none of it was really "real". Hopefully as Lincoln matures it'll get up to the same quality at least as the F-150 Platinum. No comparison between my pickup and the MKZH, not even close. They have kits you can buy for the FFH for like $400+ that come with all those "faux-lux" pieces that you can stick on the FFH to gussy it up. Not sure I'd bother; $500 bucks is like another 2 principal mortgage payments. Gettin' up into the 40+ MPG's now with my FFH, and enjoyin' both the $avings and watching my new first home mortgage get paid off lickity-split. Just 3 payments made so far, yet 1 year principal already paid. Thank you, FFH, you're my new best friend, even if you do feel very economy compared to what I'm used to. :beerchug:

 

I'm using the econo-FFH to keep me on my goal of 7.5 years payoff for my home, too. I tell myself "Stick to the plan, don't stray, adjust to the basic feel of the FFH, and in 7.5 years when you are mortgage-free for the rest of your life, you can go right back out there and pick up whatever vehicle you want at the time, be it a new luxury hybrid $aver, or back in command-of-the-road with an F-150 again". :shades:

 

PPS As much as I love my trucks, I have to say I LOVE the ride in the FFH. It is silky smooth compared to anything I've ever driven before. By the time my timeframe is up, I may end up opting for another vehicle similar to this one, as it's way more fun to drive than my truck (just not as beautiful or commanding). It's a trade-off that so far I have not regretted.

[akirby]

Like everyone else has said, just select your desired comfort temperature, hit one simple button (auto) and NEVER look at climate control ever again in the lifetime of the vehicle. Simple as that. I've had EATS since my 2004 F-150 Lariat, and would never want to do without it.

 

It doesn't have MyFord Touch, which is the system that Consumer Reports claims is too difficult to navigate and that they wish had hard buttons to do those functions. I don't see the FFH getting MYF until 2013MY.

 

PS Oh, I've been in the MKZH, but haven't driven one. It was virtually identical to the FFH, but gussied up a bit with some wood veneers and diff. leather seating material, some snap-on chromed pieces that covered the wheels to make them look shiny, etc. Fancier for sure, but felt the exact same sitting in there and all. What's crazy is that it was a Lincoln, and my '09 F-150 was "only" a Ford, yet my Platinum was WAY more luxurious than the MKZH. It had real brushed aluminum interior, auto running boards, real polished-aluminum wheels, etc. Crazy luxurious. The MKZH kinda had that "faux-luxury" feel to it, like stuck-on pieces and such that were masking plastic or chrome snap-on wheel covers, again to make it look like luxury, but none of it was really "real". Hopefully as Lincoln matures it'll get up to the same quality at least as the F-150 Platinum. No comparison between my pickup and the MKZH, not even close. They have kits you can buy for the FFH for like $400+ that come with all those "faux-lux" pieces that you can stick on the FFH to gussy it up. Not sure I'd bother; $500 bucks is like another 2 principal mortgage payments. Gettin' up into the 40+ MPG's now with my FFH, and enjoyin' both the $avings and watching my new first home mortgage get paid off lickity-split. Just 3 payments made so far, yet 1 year principal already paid. Thank you, FFH, you're my new best friend, even if you do feel very economy compared to what I'm used to. :beerchug:

 

I'm using the econo-FFH to keep me on my goal of 7.5 years payoff for my home, too. I tell myself "Stick to the plan, don't stray, adjust to the basic feel of the FFH, and in 7.5 years when you are mortgage-free for the rest of your life, you can go right back out there and pick up whatever vehicle you want at the time, be it a new luxury hybrid $aver, or back in command-of-the-road with an F-150 again". :shades:

 

PPS As much as I love my trucks, I have to say I LOVE the ride in the FFH. It is silky smooth compared to anything I've ever driven before. By the time my timeframe is up, I may end up opting for another vehicle similar to this one, as it's way more fun to drive than my truck (just not as beautiful or commanding). It's a trade-off that so far I have not regretted.

 

You do understand that a platinum F150 is WAY more expensive than a MKZH, right?

[drolds1]

Like everyone else has said, just select your desired comfort temperature, hit one simple button (auto) and NEVER look at climate control ever again in the lifetime of the vehicle. Simple as that. I've had EATS since my 2004 F-150 Lariat, and would never want to do without it.

 

It doesn't have MyFord Touch, which is the system that Consumer Reports claims is too difficult to navigate and that they wish had hard buttons to do those functions. I don't see the FFH getting MYF until 2013MY.

 

PS Oh, I've been in the MKZH, but haven't driven one. It was virtually identical to the FFH, but gussied up a bit with some wood veneers and diff. leather seating material, some snap-on chromed pieces that covered the wheels to make them look shiny, etc. Fancier for sure, but felt the exact same sitting in there and all. What's crazy is that it was a Lincoln, and my '09 F-150 was "only" a Ford, yet my Platinum was WAY more luxurious than the MKZH. It had real brushed aluminum interior, auto running boards, real polished-aluminum wheels, etc. Crazy luxurious. The MKZH kinda had that "faux-luxury" feel to it, like stuck-on pieces and such that were masking plastic or chrome snap-on wheel covers, again to make it look like luxury, but none of it was really "real". Hopefully as Lincoln matures it'll get up to the same quality at least as the F-150 Platinum. No comparison between my pickup and the MKZH, not even close. They have kits you can buy for the FFH for like $400+ that come with all those "faux-lux" pieces that you can stick on the FFH to gussy it up. Not sure I'd bother; $500 bucks is like another 2 principal mortgage payments. Gettin' up into the 40+ MPG's now with my FFH, and enjoyin' both the $avings and watching my new first home mortgage get paid off lickity-split. Just 3 payments made so far, yet 1 year principal already paid. Thank you, FFH, you're my new best friend, even if you do feel very economy compared to what I'm used to. :beerchug:

 

I'm using the econo-FFH to keep me on my goal of 7.5 years payoff for my home, too. I tell myself "Stick to the plan, don't stray, adjust to the basic feel of the FFH, and in 7.5 years when you are mortgage-free for the rest of your life, you can go right back out there and pick up whatever vehicle you want at the time, be it a new luxury hybrid $aver, or back in command-of-the-road with an F-150 again". :shades:

 

 

 

PPS As much as I love my trucks, I have to say I LOVE the ride in the FFH. It is silky smooth compared to anything I've ever driven before. By the time my timeframe is up, I may end up opting for another vehicle similar to this one, as it's way more fun to drive than my truck (just not as beautiful or commanding). It's a trade-off that so far I have not regretted.

 

The same "chrome-clad" aluminum wheels with the plastic cladding are available on certain F-150s. BTW, they do not snap on. You got "real' polished aluminum wheels because that's what's standard on the model you bought. My MKZ Sport has "real' polished aluminum wheels because that's what come on the model I bought. We both paid extra for them by virtue of selecting a higher priced model. The interior trim in the MKZ is either genuine wood or real aluminum, depending on which model selected. The aluminum is standard on the Sport and optional on other MKZs for $195, so I don't know what you mean by "none of it was really real." The leather in the MKZ is from Bridge of Weir of Scotland which is not available on any F150 regardless of price.