Disable A/C during defrost?
 

I've got a 2006 Elantra GLS. I hate the 25% HP loss when the A/C compressor engages while I've got the defroster on. I just want some warm air on the windshield, not to remove moisture from the interior. Is there a way to disable the A/C compressor while I've got the defroster on? I never had this problem with the 2001 model, so their engineers definitely broke this. :(

25% HP loss? Let's see, if I remember correctly, the 2006 Elantra makes 138-hp. So that mean your A/C compressor is using 34.5-hp to run. WOW! Sounds like you have a problem with your A/C compressor better get that fixed. Most A/C compressors only use about 2-3 hp.

Using the A/C helps the defrost. The engineers definitely did NOT break it.

LOL, I don't know if it's literally a 25% loss, that was spoken for dramatic effect. Using the A/C for DEFOG makes sense, for deFROST, the A/C does nothing. Frost is on the outside of the window, the A/C only works on the interior environment. Thing that's broken is that I can't run the defroster without the compressor kicking on. I'd like to have the option of using the A/C only when it's needed. Can you tell me how I might accomplish that?

Running the compressor doens't mean cold. Turning the temp to hot still gives heat but with the added benefit of defog.

Again, that's not broken. It's designed that way. Just like all modern cars are.

Disconnect the wires to the A/C compressor clutch or buy a different car.

The reduction in power and engine efficiency is not a benefit in my book, if I don't need defog.


Well, perhaps the engineers are broken. :D


I love my Elantra, but that's exactly what I'm thinking. I was hoping there was a way to just disconnect it from running when I don't want it to. I've always got the manual A/C switch for when it I do need to defog. Like I said before, it was that way with the 2001 model, and it worked just fine. This is deeply distressing.

Thanks for your input!

Seriously, the reduction in power and efficiency are minimal.