What is the difference between AC and Auto in car air conditioning?
3 Answers
The differences between AC and Auto in car air conditioning are: 1. Different working principles: AC is the air conditioning compressor switch. When AC is turned on, the compressor will start cooling and dehumidifying; Auto is the automatic air conditioning switch. After setting the temperature, the air conditioning system will automatically control the compressor and air volume to maintain the set temperature. 2. Different fuel consumption: When the AC light is on, the air conditioning compressor starts, increasing engine load and fuel consumption; Auto is unrelated to the compressor and has no effect on fuel consumption. 3. Different usage methods: When using air conditioning in summer, turn on the AC button to start the compressor inside the car and blow cold air; when heating is needed in winter, there is no need to turn on AC as it does not help with heating, just turn on Auto for heating.
I've been driving various cars, and the difference between the AC button and the Auto function is quite significant. The AC button manually activates the air conditioning compressor. Once pressed, the engine drives the compressor to operate, and the car starts blowing cold air to cool down and dehumidify. The Auto button, on the other hand, is for the fully automatic air conditioning mode. Once you set your desired temperature, say 22 degrees, the system will automatically adjust the compressor's on/off status, fan speed, vent direction, and even the air circulation mode based on the actual temperature inside the car and the external environment, keeping you in a comfortable state. The compressor operation consumes a bit more fuel, so when the weather is hot but strong cooling isn't necessary, it's better not to turn on the AC. In Auto mode, it intelligently calculates to avoid unnecessary operation, making it more energy-efficient. I recommend using the Auto mode more often for convenience and peace of mind, especially during long-distance driving, as it eliminates the need to manually operate the controls.
I mostly use the Auto mode when driving, it's super simple - just set a temperature and the system automatically controls the fan speed and cooling/heating. The AC button is for manually turning the air conditioning on/off; you have to press it when it gets hot and turn it off when it's cold. The advantage of Auto is that it makes automatic decisions based on cabin temperature changes, like blasting strong cooling when the car is sun-baked, then reducing fan speed to save fuel once cooled down. Keeping AC on constantly consumes more fuel and is noisy, so I only turn it on when urgently needed. For daily commutes, Auto mode is hassle-free and intelligent, perfect for convenience-loving drivers like me. Just remember to set your preferred temperature button position and then relax - safe driving is what matters most.
