Econ button

**tomjj** · 16-09-2008,02:23 PM

Hi,
My golf (04 GT TDI) has the dual ( think - each side has a dial and digital screen anyway) climate control.

I seem to keep it around 21 on 'Auto'.

How much extra MPG does this use approx (i know very hard to say but approx).

Should i have this on ALL the time?

I believe i should not use the 'off' button very often?

When should i be using the ECON button and what exactly does it do?

On a side note under the 'off' button in the centre switch is blank - what is the optional button?

Thanks,

**RickT** · 16-09-2008,02:45 PM

In short... ECON turns the air con off.

In regards to MPG... not much really..

I tend to leave it on all the time..

Rick

**tomjj** · 16-09-2008,02:52 PM

Originally Posted by RickT

In short... ECON turns the air con off.

In regards to MPG... not much really..

I tend to leave it on all the time..

Rick

What does it leave on then? The climate aspect? What exactly - i don't get it?

**lanciamug** · 16-09-2008,05:35 PM

Off turns the air off- no air. Econ turns the air con off- no chiller, therefore warm if weather is warm and no dehumidifying effect, so steamy windows if wet! I find econ saves about 5%, you can try it on a journey. Cruise with it on, then econ and watch your average mpg drop. Its recommended to not use econ all the time. The air con compressor should be run at least once a week as there is lubricant in the refrigerant which keeps everything working well.

**Ben** · 16-09-2008,11:32 PM

so when you turn it off with the centre off button, the little yellow led light lights up to say it is off.

econ - is it off when its led light is on or off.

**lanciamug** · 17-09-2008,06:45 AM

Oddly, econ is on when the light is on. ie the air con is off when the light is on. You can tell by turning the temp down, say, 15 deg C. you will feel the cooling when econ os off. (aircon on)

**tomjj** · 18-09-2008,12:47 PM

Originally Posted by tomjj

On a side note under the 'off' button in the centre switch is blank - what is the optional button?

Thanks,

Thanks - it makes sense.

Anyone know the answer to my last bit by any chance? It's bugging me

**timp3243** · 22-09-2008,07:19 PM

Do you mean the little round 'button' surrounded by the heated rear window, recirculation and econ buttons?

This is the interior temperature sensor for the Climatic air-conditioning.

**timp3243** · 22-09-2008,07:26 PM

Though, I guess you're referring to the 2-Zone climate control.

In both cases, it is the interior temperature sensor.

It also combines a light sensor to measure the amount of light in the car in order to reduce the temperature if it's very sunny. This is definitely the case for the 2-Zone climate control but I'm not sure if this is true of the Climatic system.

For those more technically minded it is a 'NTC thermistor and photodiode'.