Climate control confusion

[jahciple]

when i start my car in the morning, i put my temp to 75 degrees and i try to put up the fan because it's only on 1 bar, but i can't until i drive couple minutes then i can adjust it. why does it do that?

if i hit the fan couple times both of the auto light will go on also to a certain setting, why is that?

also, if i have the temp set to 75 degrees, and hit auto does that turn on my ac on too?

[Phrost]

If you have it on AUTO, the fan will adjust itself and blow harder when the correct temperature air can come out. It will monitor the cabin temperature, and adjust the fan speed accordingly. This is very nice for winter, so it doesn't bast you with cold air.

A/C comes on automatically, when it needs to. Pushing the ECON button will not allow the A/C to come on, so it "saves gas and is economical".

You should be able to just press the FAN +/- buttons to manually control the fan speed, but pressing AUTO will make the car override your choice.

Pro Tip: If you hold down the AUTO button for a few seconds, driver side temperature buttons control both sides instead of just the one. Very convenient

[4-tified]

when i start my car in the morning, i put my temp to 75 degrees and i try to put up the fan because it's only on 1 bar, but i can't until i drive couple minutes then i can adjust it. why does it do that?

if i hit the fan couple times both of the auto light will go on also to a certain setting, why is that?

also, if i have the temp set to 75 degrees, and hit auto does that turn on my ac on too?

If you set the HVAC system to "auto" it will do what it thinks is necessary.
If you have the vent settings towards the windshield the system can activate the AC to keep the windows from fogging. Also, if you have the air vent set to "recirculate" the AC may come on to stop the fogging of the windows.

When the car is cold, the HVAC won't let you easily turn the fan speed up because it's waiting for the heat to build before it turns up the fan speed.

I don't like "automatic" HVAC systems as they tend to have a mind of their own. It's a car for christ sake not a house with various rooms.
I run my HVAC in a semi auto way, or as close to manual as I can.
This Audi system let's you get near manual but not completely.
Make sure you don't even turn "auto" on. If you do, then press the fan speed button a couple of times and the air vent options to turn the "auto" setting off. Now, set the air to blow where you want it. I press each of the 3 settings so that I have some air going to the windshield, from the dash, and in the footwells. Now, set the temperature where you think you want it. Then set the air flow speed. Also, make sure the "recirculation" button is not set to "recirculate", but set for fresh air to mix as it's coming in to the cabin.

Now, as far as temperature, I said set to where you THINK you want it, because, the system won't let you go fully manual. The cabin air temp sensors are still active even when in manual mode. If you set the temp at say 68F and it blows warm air at first, after a few minutes you may notice that the air blowing is not longer warm but somewhat cool. That's because as the cabins ambient air temp starts to rise to new the set temperature, the system decides to turn down the heat to maintain the 68F setting.
That's the "semi auto" part. You have to set the temp higher to get the warm air again, it has to be higher than the cabins ambient air temp.

Also, in the morning, you'll notice that the system likes to start at a low fan setting as it takes a few minutes to warm the HVAC system. Well, that's fine, however, after a few minutes as the engine temp rises you'll notice that the fan speed starts to rise all on it's own even though you don't have the system set to "auto". Again, that's part of the semi-auto manual mode.

Simply keep "auto" turned off. That way you can set fan speed and air flow direction. You can also turn the AC on and off as you see fit.
Make sure to leave the recirc set to outside fresh air as that keeps your windows fog free. If you have a situation where the windows fog up on you, simply turn the AC. The AC's dehumidified air will soon defog the windows. You can run the AC along with warm air setting to keep defogged even in cold winter temps. I like to use the AC with the heater on cold humid days when it's bone chilling. The AC gives a nice dry air and the heater gives nice warm air, together you get a nice warm, dry air making it more comfy when it's cold and damp outside.

[jahciple]

wow, you guys have explained it better than what's written in the manual.
But how come when i try to increase the speed there is a certain point when the auto will light up (both left and right)? it lights up in random speed settings.

im kinda new with these auto settings, i'm more like set it and forget it type. <x-mkiv gti owner>

[SGVA4]

wow, you guys have explained it better than what's written in the manual.
But how come when i try to increase the speed there is a certain point when the auto will light up (both left and right)? it lights up in random speed settings.

im kinda new with these auto settings, i'm more like set it and forget it type. <x-mkiv gti owner>

thats az for ya dude

god bless dudes like phrost and 4-tified

[4-tified]

wow, you guys have explained it better than what's written in the manual.
But how come when i try to increase the speed there is a certain point when the auto will light up (both left and right)? it lights up in random speed settings.

im kinda new with these auto settings, i'm more like set it and forget it type. <x-mkiv gti owner>

If you are in "auto" mode and you simply adjust fan speed, sometimes it won't register that you actually want manual mode control.
You have to select air flow direction as well to get the system out of auto mode.

In auto mode the system decides where the air should blow ie; windshield, dash, floor. When you select the air flow direction you will then be in manual mode and then you can set direction and air flow speed along with temp, recirc, and AC control.

The set it and forget mode is the auto mode. A lot of people like it.
You set the temp where you prefer, say 74F, the system will adjust the heater and/or AC to maintain that temperature. The system will also determine where the air flows to. It's the simplest way to go and the system does ok.

I prefer to adjust things myself though, so that's why I go manual.

BTW, you also have an optional auto setting that allows you to defrost/defog the windshield and front side windows. You'll note the "windshield" icon located on the right hand side. If you press that button the HVAC system goes into an automatic defrost/defog mode. It will direct airflow to the windshield and to the side windows, and it will also increase air flow quite a bit. The AC compressor should come on as well.
If you press the button again the setting will turn off and the system will go back to the previous settings.

[planktonamor]

I am asking to bring this thread back to life because I am not currently sure if I am having troubles or not. I have only owned the car for about six months, and when it was warm, I never questioned what was going on. Now that the temps are cold, I keep finding myself having to fiddle constantly with the settings. It blows hot when I want cold and cold when I want hot. The description from 4-tified sounds kind of right to what I am seeing, but mine is acting VERY much to the extreme.

It has been so concerning I took it into Audi (1 1/2 hour drive). On my way to Audi this morning it was 25 degrees F outside, and I had to have the manual setting down to 61 so that it didn't blast hot air at me. On the flip side, after they told me the system was running fine, on my 1 1/2 hour drive back, it was 40 outside and had to have the manual setting up to 78 so I didn't get cold air blown at me. Automatic never seems to do what I want.

Of course...when I was at the dealership, I got the exact temps I felt would be correct, and not what has been driving me crazy for the last month (which of course makes me look like a paranoid moron).

When it has been 70 outside I never had an issue. I have 9 months left of warranty, and want to make sure I understand if it is me hating the way this system works or that it is in fact broken.

Anyone care to shed some light on this? I am dumbfounded...this acts nothing like any other climate control system I have ever had before.

Thanks in advance.

[agsam01]

Pro Tip: If you hold down the AUTO button for a few seconds, driver side temperature buttons control both sides instead of just the one. Very convenient

THANK YOU!!!!!

I have been trying to figure this out since I got my car last week. I almost gave up thinking it just wasn't possible.