Nissan Rogue Forum

Air Conditioning turns on when switching Air Flow from Defrost to Floor. Was this the design intent or a malfunction?

It's normal and keep asking those questions because it's the best way for all of us to learn about the Rogue.




When illumination is ON, rear window is defogged.

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A/C is used by most newer cars to dry out the air sent to the windshield. It's perfectly normal.

But isn't it bad for the AC compressor to run even in the winter? Doesn't this wear it out faster and maybe use more gas? I have never owned a car that did this. I find it annoying.

No it's not bad for the compressor. If I'm not mistaken, todays compressors are not oil filled like the older ones. That was why you weren't supposed to run them as the oil got too thick in the cold. The "compressor on" feature is designed to remove excess moisture (water on the floor mats, etc) from the cabin. This prevents the windows from frosting up on the inside. Let it run....it actually works.

Thank you Squid for clearing that up. However, I think Nissan has it backwards. It would make more sense if the A/C came on when switching to defog not from it.

That is what it does: When you choose to defog, it turns on automatically the A/C. And since they don't want you to turn it off, they don't show it to you (in fact, they disable the knob).

When you turn it off defog to another position, since the A/C is on and now you are allowed to choose what you want, the light is turned on in order you to turn it off if you want.

It is the same thing for the air recirculation knob, you can use it only when you have at least to have air flowing to you (the two on the left). If you choose for example to send air only to your feet, the air circulation knob is disable.

Still didnot find a way to disable the disablement like for the hondas.

I don't think it can be disabled. Nothing to worry about it's 'working as designed'. That's an overused term used by auto manufacturers/dealers when responding to customer's complaints and queries.

This is one feature I greatly dislike. Not to keep the recirc closed if the windows get foggy and if you need more dehumidification turn the AC on for a bit is something drivers should know. I find this hand holding automation quite frustrating. For example while sitting at a stop light a person in a car near you is smoking you can't close the recirc for a bit (if the system is in defrost) to avoid the offending smell. Nor can you simply leave the venting on the window with out loosing performance and gas mileage to the compressor. If I had the option to over ride the system that would be one thing but being forced to having the compressor coming on is the one major complaint I have with this and other similarly equipped vehicles.

To add to the frustration: I have a 2011 with the "automatic" A/C system. The prayerbook (manual) says that putting the left and right knobs in the "auto" mode and then pressing the center button for more than 1.5 sceonds will cause the recirc and fresh intake lights to blink twice confirming that the auto system has taken control of the fresh air/recirc function. Doesn't work that way. I cannot get the lights to blink as the prayerbook says. Neither can the stinking dealer and they can't explain it. I intend to try another stinking dealer. Shouldn't the car work the way the manual states, and if not, shouldn't the dealer know why?

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