post #1 of 24 (permalink) Does 'defrost' setting, use air conditioner? ... even if the air conditioner button (and its light) is off? Full question and related sub questions, at: Smart Car of America post #2 of 24 (permalink) According to the 451 owners manual it does*: When the recirculation mode is switched on, windows can fog on the inside immediately. Fogged windows impair visibility,endangering you and others. If the windows begin to fog on the inside, switching off the air recirculation mode immediately should clear interior window fogging. If interior window fogging persists, make sure the air conditioning is switched on, turn the air distribution control to position [defrost] (page 150) and increase *Actually, the answer to your question is no, not if the A/C is off. The manual says you have to have the A/C on to get the full defrost effect. post #3 of 24 (permalink) post #4 of 24 (permalink) Originally Posted by jwight

Well, the page before, is the confusing one. which says (page 152 of the smart manual):Do not turn the air distribution control permanently to position "defrost". The air conditioner switches on independently of other settings. The indicator lamp on switch '2' then does not come on. The vehicles fuel consumption increases and the driving performance may be influenced. This is confusing, and I think it may mean, that when its straight up in the 'Defrost' position, even if the air conditioning light is OFF, the air conditioner will run in tandem with the DEFROST when its in the straight up setting position.how to window ac units work Notice the warning, about worse fuel consumption, and that the air conditioning light NOT coming on, and the air conditioning 'switching on' independently of other settings.best ac unit for small home

The other notice (not sure which page) is the air conditioner does not work when the temp is below 36 or 34 degrees F. So, withthe defrost striaght up, on Defrost, with the temp only 15 degrees, maybe the air doesn't come one. But if 40 degrees F, and the defrost is in the straight up position, it sounds like it WILL come on, even though its light, at that time, will not come on. The buick lesabre works like that. ac unit repair costsshift to defrost, and one can hear the air conditioner come on, even though the Air conditioner controls, are not engaged. This would explain, why they say, in the defrost mode, it can increase fule consumption. So, it seems this question remains: 1) Does it work like the Buick Lesabre, where, if on Defrost, even if the air conditioner isn't turned on, the air does come on when defrost is selected? 2) If "number one question above" is true, ... is it also true on the smart, when the setting is half defrost, and half chest air (pointing north northeast)?

or, on the other side, half defrost, and half feet air (north northwest)? Until this is resolved, to be on the safe side, and to not waste fuel, nor reduce performance, I plan to keep the indicator, NOT pointing UP on defrost, but instead I will point it straight DOWN, half way between the chest air and foot air controls. ... the number 2 question above, if known, would be very helpful, since i would like to put it hlaf way between the chest air and defrost, when the fogging of the window occurs to a small, slight degree. Again, if anyone can confirm the precise answer, maybe with verification, please post. (I suppose I could ask the service department on a visit next week, if I can remember to ask it.) Or, as pickledchang suggests, listen closely to the engine, in 4th or 5th gear, when the temp is above 40 F, to hear if the air conditioning compressor cycles on, when the control is placed in defrost, without turning on the air conditioner and its light. post #5 of 24 (permalink)

post #6 of 24 (permalink) Asked service dept 3/4/08. Their reply, in post #3, in the thread at: post #7 of 24 (permalink) post #8 of 24 (permalink) post #9 of 24 (permalink) Originally Posted by bobnyuma This was one of those great realizations way back when I first started driving, I was so frustrated dealing with fogged windows and discovering that using the AC made all the difference was a revelation post #10 of 24 (permalink) ....and also throwing warm defrost air onto a cold windshield only makes matters worst! I found this out once surprinsing in my MINI, which does not automatically turn on the A/C in defrost mode. In some systems (Chrysler for one) not only does defrost activate the A/C, but also switches the vent position from the closed, recirculate position, to open vent (outside air)...all in an effort to get rid of the moisture. Most cars I have been in DO turn on the A/C led to let you know its on.If you have a car that isn't showroom fresh anymore, there's also a good chance it's lost a little of its air conditioning mojo.

Get things icy cool again with this simple fix. Photo by Dan Bock.First, a disclaimer. If your air conditioning is completely dysfunctional and doesn't cool the air at all when it's on, it's probably best to brave the bill and go get it checked out by a professional. On the other hand, if your air conditioner is functional but lacks the frosty punch it used to have, you can easily recharge the coolant and get things back to their previous knuckle-freezing glory. How-to site wikiHow features a step-by-step guide to recharging the refrigerant in your car's cooling system. The tutorial includes some pretty stern (and justifiably so) warnings, but speaking from experience—I've recharged around a dozen vehicles both for myself and friends—it's a really straightforward tune as long as you follow the instructions.A few things we'd recommend should you decided to recharge your air conditioning: Put a meat thermometer in the vents to get a baseline temperature so you can see if your recharge job lowers the temp enough, and spend the extra few bucks to get a pressure valve so you're not left guessing if you're under or overpressurizing your system.