I noticed something while driving my 8 yesterday in the dallas rain. I had the windows closed, sunroof venting, AC off, fans on and I was of course, getting hot air from outside. I started to play around with the air direction setting in the car and it was at the point when i set it to the floor that I found I was getting the cold, outside air into the car w/o running the AC.

The defrost/defog/whatever it's called wasn't on either. I was just getting cold air, from outside. It was quite nice. By keeping the sunroof vented and the fan set to 2, it circulated through the vehicle pretty well.

I just thought I'd inform you all of this interesting thing I discovered. I used it again this morning and it was great (rain still today otherwise i'd just open the damn windows).

Ajax

 

Uh oh, don't get me started. Too late.

It actually _is_ running the AC, but isn't telling you. The RX-8 actually has _3_ modes where it runs air to the feet with the AC on, without the AC light being on:

1. The circulate mode is set to send air to feet only.
2. The circulate mode is set to send air to feet only w/ defog.
3. The windshield defog button is pressed.

All three of these modes direct air to the exact same set of vents, with the only different being the proportion of air that the different vents get. There is _no_ way to send air to the feet only without the car also turning on the AC. Why we need three modes to do essentially the same thing, I don't know.

This actually is mentioned in the manual.

See this thread for more:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/air-conditioner-always-31683/

 

That sucks

 

Wow. That is actually quite lame.

I guess I should read the manual and stop wasting gas running my AC...

 

Ajax, Where did you purchase your 8? I'm in McKinney and was wondering where you get your 8 serviced as well.

 

I found that ridiculous when i 1st read the manual and i still, after 18000 miles find this ridiculous !!! If i want normal air down low that's my prerogative, my GF has her sweet little feet freezing if the AC runs...:-)

Oh and this is the one single thing that sucks about this car: The whole vent-AC system

 

I DIDN'T buy it at el dorado.
I bought it at hiley mazda of hurst.
I get it serviced at hiley or town north depending on where I am.
my whole history w/el dorado is documented in the gulf forums and probably in the dealer forums.

For service, go to town north. I actually know the lead rotary tech at el dorado and he's a good guy, but i wont take my car there for anything. that dealership.... just makes me sick..

 

If the 8 had auto climate control, the a/c would always run unless the system was completely shut off.