With this system you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation for your
vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic): When this button is pressed and the temperature
is set, the system will automatically control the inside temperature, the air delivery
mode, the air conditioning compressor and the fan speed. AUTO will appear on the display.
- Press the AUTO button.
- Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting between 70°F (21°C)
and 80°F (27°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature setting
will not cause the system to heat or cool any faster. If you set the system at the
warmest temperature setting, the system will remain in manual mode at that temperature
and it will not go into automatic mode.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing
cold air into your vehicle until warmer air is available. The system will start out
blowing air at the floor but may change modes automatically as the vehicle warms up
to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The length of time needed for warm up
will depend on the outside temperature and the length of time that has elapsed since
your vehicle was last driven.
- Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from 10 to 30 minutes.
Then adjust the temperature, if necessary.
You can switch from English to metric units through the Driver Information Center
(DIC). If you have the base audio system, see
DIC Main Menu
. If you have the Navigation system, see "Setup Menu"
in the Navigation System Manual.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the air, so you may sometimes
notice a small amount of water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or after
turning off the engine. This is normal.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of the instrument panel,
near the windshield. For more information on the solar sensor, see "Sensors"
later in this section.
Manual Operation
(Mode): Pressing the mode switch
and changing the mode cancels automatic operation and places the system in manual
mode. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation.
The outboard air outlets
will always receive airflow regardless of the mode selected. See
Outlet Adjustment
to change this airflow from the outboard outlets.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
(Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument panel
outlets.
(Bi-Level): This mode directs approximately half
of the air to the instrument panel outlets, and then directs most of the remaining
air to the floor outlets. Some air may be directed toward the windshield. In automatic
operation, cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the floor
outlets.
(Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the floor
outlets with some air directed to the outboard outlets (for the side windows), and
a little air directed to the windshield.
The mode switch can also be used
to select the defog mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can be found later
in this section.
(Fan): Press this switch to increase
or decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch cancels automatic operation and places
the system in manual mode. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation.
If the airflow seems low when the fan speed is at the highest setting, the passenger
compartment air filter may need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
and
Scheduled Maintenance
.
(Recirculation): This mode keeps outside air from
coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering
your vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly. Press
this button to turn the recirculation mode on or off. The air-conditioning compressor
also comes on.
Recirculation is not available in the defrost mode and
will automatically turn off after 10 minutes when defog is selected.
Using recirculation for long periods of time may cause the air inside your vehicle
to become too dry or stuffy. To prevent this from happening, after the air in your
vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
PWR (Power/Driver's Temperature): Press
the PWR button located on the driver's side of the climate control panel to turn the
entire climate control system on or off. Press the up or down arrow on the switch
to increase or decrease the temperature inside your vehicle.
PWR (Power/Passenger's Temperature): Press the PWR button located on the passenger's side of the climate control panel
to turn the passenger's climate control system on. Press the up or down arrow on the
switch to increase or decrease the temperature for the front passenger.
A/C OFF (Air Conditioning): Press this button to manually turn
off the air conditioning compressor. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation or
press the A/C OFF button again.
Sensors
There is a solar sensor located on the instrument panel, near the windshield.
There is also an interior temperature sensor located to the right of the steering
wheel on the instrument panel.
These sensors monitor the solar radiation and the air inside your vehicle, then
use the information to maintain the selected temperature by initiating needed adjustments
to the temperature, the fan speed and the air delivery system. The system may also
supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The recirculation mode
will also be activated, as necessary. Do not cover the sensors or the automatic climate
control system will not work properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity (moisture) condensing
on the cool window glass. This can be minimized if the climate control system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog from your windshield. Use the defog mode
to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode
to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
(Mode): Press this button until
defog appears on the display.
(Defog): This mode directs the air between the windshield,
floor outlets and side windows. When you select this mode, the system turns off recirculation
and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature is at or below
freezing. The recirculation mode is cancelled when you enter defog mode. If you select
recirculation while in defog mode, it will be cancelled after 10 minutes.
If you have fogging on the side windows, turn the thumbwheel on the outboard outlets
to the side window defog position. See
Outlet Adjustment
for more information.
(Defrost): Pressing defrost directs most of the air
to the windshield, with some air directed to the side windows. In this mode, the system
will automatically turn off recirculation and run the air-conditioning compressor,
unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected
while in the defrost mode.
This mode may also cause the fan speed and
air temperature to increase.
If you have fogging on the side windows, turn the thumbwheel on the outboard
outlets to the side window defog position. See
Outlet Adjustment
for more information. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog or frost from the
rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the ignition is in ON.
(Rear Window Defogger): Press this button to turn
the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes after the button is
pressed. Or, if the vehicle's speed is above 30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger
will stay on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger will only run for about
five minutes before turning off. The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the
button again or by turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger button is on.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside
rear window. Do not adhere anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.