Idiot question: Do you run your AC all the time?

[tjnptel1]

My previous 3 cars (sedans) were luxury cars with auto climate controls and I was very anal about keeping interior clean that I rarely drove around with the windows rolled down so the A/C was always on "auto"

Now I am a little more lax with the 4runner and love driving with the windows down so my stupid question for the day is, do you run the AC while the windows are down? If not ran for a while, is there a smell that I need to worry about? feel free to :lmao: @ me. :angel:

 

[ProfessorP]

I live in Florida. The concept of driving with the window down and the AC off doesn’t compute. Between the bugs, humidity and heat I never bother turning off the AC and the windows stay up.

I can’t imagine why you would leave the AC on with the windows down. Don’t think it would hurt anything, but it’s not really helping. I’m not sure if leaving the AC off for extended periods will cause issues with mold and mildew. I would probably run it every now and then to keep weird things from growing in the duct work.

 

[JAXJeremy]

I live in Florida. The concept of driving with the window down and the AC off doesn’t compute. Between the bugs, humidity and heat I never bother turning off the AC and the windows stay up.

I can’t imagine why you would leave the AC on with the windows down. Don’t think it would hurt anything, but it’s not really helping. I’m not sure if leaving the AC off for extended periods will cause issues with mold and mildew. I would probably run it every now and then to keep weird things from growing in the duct work.

same here..my windows are up 98% of the time, might roll them down a few times in the winter or spring, but when the pollen is bad that's not fun..for the most part my A/C is set to run even in the winter, but if the windows are down I turn the A/C off..

 

[rkwfxd]

I run my A/C 100% of the time. It is never off. Usually on low and the coldest setting. If it gets cold out (like 50's in So Cal) I might adjust the temp slightly but other than that, A/C in my vehicle is always on.

 

[Jetboy]

It's not something I ever really think about. Where i live it goes from 0 to 100 throughout the year. So obviously I don't use AC in the winter. But I use it during the summer. And yes - sometimes I feel comfortable running the AC with the sun roof open or windows down. Similarly I also often run the heat with the windows down. Sometimes I even run the AC and the seat heaters at the same time.

Basically - if it feels right to you, it is.

 

[cbreze]

I frequently have the ac on with windows down. When it’s a warm day it’s nice to drive with the air blowing in and keeping me cool. But, when stopped at a light I like to feel the cool breeze coming from the ac. I’ve never had an ac problem in 50+ years of driving. The unit has always lasted the life of the vehicle. I don’t see it as a concern at all. I have always lived in a dry climate area.

 

[Jetboy]

I’ve never had an ac problem in 50+ years of driving.

You've never owned a GM... lol. I don't think the AC compressor in any GM I've owned has lasted past 150k.

 

[cbreze]

You've never owned a GM... lol. I don't think the AC compressor in any GM I've owned has lasted past 150k.

Ha, one GM vehicle for about 18 months, couldn’t wait to dump it, was nickel and dime-ing me to death. Surely the AC would have been next. Mostly Toyota’s from then on. Never a problem with them

 

[BobsTrail]

You've never owned a GM... lol. I don't think the AC compressor in any GM I've owned has lasted past 150k.

Ours lasted 60K then a small leak showed at the compressor shaft. Takes 1 or 2 cans of refrigerant each summer and an occasional 2 ounce can of compressor oil.

The GM system cools a lot better than the Toyota system.

 

[Jbellah]

i roll mine down all the time. I put the back window down a little and seems everytime the dash and front get s very dusty. Do others have this problem?

 

[Ray Dunakin]

I never drive with the windows down, so I always have the AC on.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

My AC runs 100% of the time. Even in the dead of winter I still have the AC Compressor running. It's helps keep the inside air dry and the moisture level inside the truck way down.

 

[tjnptel1]

i roll mine down all the time. I put the back window down a little and seems everytime the dash and front get s very dusty. Do others have this problem?

dash does seem to attract a lot of dust. i keep a cloth in the armrest just to wipe it down lol

 

[hallcs]

My previous 3 cars (sedans) were luxury cars with auto climate controls and I was very anal about keeping interior clean that I rarely drove around with the windows rolled down so the A/C was always on "auto"

Now I am a little more lax with the 4runner and love driving with the windows down so my stupid question for the day is, do you run the AC while the windows are down? If not ran for a while, is there a smell that I need to worry about? feel free to :lmao: @ me. :angel:

Try changing the cabin filter

 

[bigredmallrunner]

I try and drive with the windows down as much as possible only because I don't like the feeling of being in an enclosed temperature controlled space. That said, above 90F or so I'll roll up the windows.

My wife always insists on opening one of the windows a tiny crack though so the tailgate window is typically down a bit even when the AC is on. Minimises dust a lot.


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[IanB]

I did 3 hours of highway driving with the HVAC off and the rear window down on the weekend, it was great! Not too hot here yet though, summer would be a different story.

I find the 5th gens to be kind of noisy trucks on the highway, there was barely any noise difference between the rear window being open vs. closed.

Around town, if it's not cold or raining, windows down every time.

If you don't use the roll down rear window at every opportunity, why do you even have a 4Runner?

 

[SBRChris]

I will run it with the windows down at times. It helps with comfort if stopped at a long light or in slow moving traffic. This time of year when it really starts getting hot and the bugs are out, I leave the windows up and AC on pretty much all the time. It will get cold-ish in the winter here so the AC is not on at that time.

 

[BCMUSA]

In Vegas if it's hot enough to need the A/C, you're definetly keeping windows up lol...

In the spring I do like to roll with the windows down though. I leave A/C off though.

 

[cbreze]

I can't run with the back window cracked or down at all or it sucks in exhaust fumes. Isn't that the case with the rest of you ? about the only time I have the rear hatch window down is when I'm hauling something and it needs to stick out the back and then I have to have all the windows down for ventilation to prevent asphyxiation. Poor design if ever I saw one. Just about my only gripe with the 4Runner. Was thinking of piping the exhaust out the side but haven't done it yet.

 

[tjnptel1]

I can't run with the back window cracked or down at all or it sucks in exhaust fumes. Isn't that the case with the rest of you ? about the only time I have the rear hatch window down is when I'm hauling something and it needs to stick out the back and then I have to have all the windows down for ventilation to prevent asphyxiation. Poor design if ever I saw one. Just about my only gripe with the 4Runner. Was thinking of piping the exhaust out the side but haven't done it yet.

i have never had that problem but then either the front windows are rolled or the sunroof is open when the rear hatch window is rolled down so i have a good flow of air. feels good.