ECON BUTTON

[Sm3g]

IM I RIGHT IN THINKING IF I PRESS THE ECON BUTTON SO THE RED LIGHT IS ON, THE CAR WILL SAVE ON FUEL AND ALSO HAVE MORE POWER,SURELY WHEN THE LIGHT IS OFF IT MEANS THE AIRCON IS CONSTANTLY RUNNING SO IN THEORY USING FUEL AND SAPPING A BIT OF THE CARS POWER EXSPECIALLY WHEN THE FANS ARE CONSTANTLY RUNNING ASWELL??

 

[Dani_B19]

Eh. If the air con is switched off then its off, switch it on and its on, not the other way round haha.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Just turns off the aircon compressor but keeps the heater system working... different to the off button... Only fuel saving is due to less drag from the compressor.

Might wanna check your caps lock too

<tuffty/>

 

[The Doctor]

Press "Econ" = light on = aircon not working, only fan.

Press "Econ" again = light off = aircon on.

So yes, when the light's on the aircon's off => better mpg & more power, but tbh I don't notice any difference in performance whatsoever.

 

[Dani_B19]

Eh, on mine, pre-facelift, if the symbol isnt on the display then its off, little ice flake, press air con button ice flake comes on aircon comes on. You guys got facelifts?

 

[Sm3g]

haha,caps lock off now

 

[emery1990]

yer mines the econ button. light on meaning its in econ mode, just the fan, then press off button, no nothing what so ever. i only really uses it in extreme heat, or to de fog my windows, as its dry air.

 

[The Doctor]

Mine';s July '03, post facelift.

 

[Sm3g]

cheers the doctor thats exactly what i thought would happen,i can definatly tell when the aircon is off that the car seems to run alot quicker,the only thing iv noticed is the temp gauge semms to stay at 90 all the time,but if the aircons on it stays slightly below 90.

 

[<tuffty/>]

So yes, when the light's on the aircon's off => better mpg & more power, but tbh I don't notice any difference in performance whatsoever.

I concur, never noticed it on my old 2.6 V6 A4 and not noticed it on my S3... get better mpg from controlling your right foot tbh...

<tuffty/>

 

[nky_84]

Econ button on, air con compressor off, slight fuel saving and very slim power gain.

However, iirc, when fuel throttle is used, the power is cut to the compressor allowing max bhp to the wheels.

 

[<tuffty/>]

I've heard that too

<tuffty/>

 

[Dani_B19]

Pre-facelifts must not have this.

 

[jojo]

I believe all cars with CC switches the compressor off automatically under full throttle. Try driving the nut out of your S3(Where posssible) on a rainy day for 10 minutes, and your windows will steam up.

Pre-facelifts must not have this.

The Ice symbol button on a prefacelift dash is the same as the 'Econ' button on a facelift dash.

 

[madvw]

cheers the doctor thats exactly what i thought would happen,i can definatly tell when the aircon is off that the car seems to run alot quicker,the only thing iv noticed is the temp gauge semms to stay at 90 all the time,but if the aircons on it stays slightly below 90.

This is also a symptom of a failed radiator thermostat. With the Aircon on it forces the secondary fan on permanently - highlighting the overcooling.

The car should sit at 90 whether on or off.