I was just wondering, since it reached -20 degrees celcius up here this morning, if I could run the AC (without damaging it), with the heat on, and using Recycled air.

The RX-8 takes forever to warm up, so instead of using front window defroster (which uses fresh air, and considerably slows up engine warmup), I switch the direction to body and feet and use recycled air. Unfortunately this can fog up the windows even with no one in the car, so hence my question. Using the AC to take out the moisture from the air.

I'm sure you could but it's better to use the defroster as the AC compressor runs in that mode.

When it's in defrost mode you're just running the A/C with the temperature set at hot.


It's in the manual.

ok thanks!

I was thinking that the condenser would freeze up or something like that. It's too bad most newer cars do not allow you to choose recycle and defrost so it won't take the engine as long to warm up.