What is A/C Eco Mode? This is NOT about the green Eco Mode light on the dash

[RobS10]

I just bought Carista and was using Customize to change a few things when I ran into a section for Heater. and A/C. In that section there was a setting called A/C Eco Mode, which was enabled. Does turning this off make the A/C/ run colder (and kill MPGs?)

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I haven't see that before but my guess is auto recirculate when you select max AC.

 

[RobS10]

I haven't see that before but my guess is auto recirculate when you select max AC.

Actually, maybe it's so that Recirculate is the default setting. Every time I turn the AC on at any fan speed, it selects Recirculate.
We took a 2,500 mile road trip through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado a couple weeks ago. It was 95'+ most of the trip, but we ran the AC no more that two clicks up on the fan unless the car had been sitting.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Actually, maybe it's so that Recirculate is the default setting. Every time I turn the AC on at any fan speed, it selects Recirculate.

Possibly. It makes more sense to keep cool air cool vs cooling hot air. Cooling hot air would cycle the compressor longer and more often.

 

[RobS10]

Possibly. It makes more sense to keep cool air cool vs cooling hot air. Cooling hot air would cycle the compressor longer and more often.

I used to have the backward idea that Recirculate ran the AC harder, since it's louder and works faster. But now that I know better, I only use Fresh Air if someone farts .

 

[02SE]

Actually, maybe it's so that Recirculate is the default setting. Every time I turn the AC on at any fan speed, it selects Recirculate.
We took a 2,500 mile road trip through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado a couple weeks ago. It was 95'+ most of the trip, but we ran the AC no more that two clicks up on the fan unless the car had been sitting.

If you turn the temperature knob all the way over to 'MAX A/C', recirculate comes on automatically. If you dial it back just off of 'MAX A/C', then recirculate doesn't come on automatically.

 

[RobS10]

If you turn the temperature knob all the way over to 'MAX A/C', recirculate comes on automatically. If you dial it back just off of 'MAX A/C', then recirculate doesn't come on automatically.

The way mine ('22 ORP) seems to work...

If the Temp dial is set all the way to the left (coldest setting), turning the fan on, even the lowest setting, turns on the AC, with Recirculate selected. I believe I can deselect Recirculate unless it's on Max like you mention

If I just want fresh air, I turn the Temp dial one click to the right, and turn on fan. The AC does not turn on and I don't think this selects Recirculate.

 

[fkheath]

I just bought Carista and was using Customize to change a few things when I ran into a section for Heater. and A/C. In that section there was a setting called A/C Eco Mode, which was enabled. Does turning this off make the A/C/ run colder (and kill MPGs?)

My '21 RAV4 hybrid has a Eco button right on the climate control panel. The owners manual says this bout that button:
"The air conditioning is controlled with low fuel consumption prioritized such as reducing fan speed, etc. "

To me, that means with a lower fan speed it will take longer too cool down the cabin. I have no idea if the 4Runner runs the same way in A/C Eco mode.

 

[lewdog998]

Whatever u do, do not enable eco mode.

It limits top speed to 55mph and induces a strong craving for tofu and kombucha

 

[RobS10]

Whatever u do, do not enable eco mode.

It limits top speed to 55mph and induces a strong craving for tofu and kombucha

LOL! I think it's also been known to cause allergies to burgers, bacon, and chicken wings :sobbing:

 

[RobS10]

My '21 RAV4 hybrid has a Eco button right on the climate control panel. The owners manual says this bout that button:
"The air conditioning is controlled with low fuel consumption prioritized such as reducing fan speed, etc. "

To me, that means with a lower fan speed it will take longer too cool down the cabin. I have no idea if the 4Runner runs the same way in A/C Eco mode.

So far, the AC seems to do it's job just fine, with Eco Mode enabled by default. We live in San Francisco, so don't use the AC every day, but it worked great on our road trip.
Seems like a dumb "feature" to limit the effectiveness of a feature, if a driver find the AC kills their gas mileage, they won't blast it on high! But for me personally, I definitely don't want my mileage to get any worse, so plan on leaving it On as the AC works well enough with it enabled.