Hello everyone,

Ive had my S40 for a month now and I want to see if anyone else has had this problem.

The problem that I am having is with the AC. Ive noticed that when I drive, air comes out of the vents with the AC off (set to 0) and when I open the front windows the amount of air coming out of the vents increases. I can make it blow hot air when I turn the temperature dial to the red and cold air when I turn it to the blue. To me it seems like the AC fan is not shutting off. I also noticed that when I set the Fan speed on Auto, the flow direction to Auto, turn on the AC compressor on, and set the temperature all the way to the blue the amount of "coldness" is less then that when I set the fan speed to 5 and the flow direction to blow from the top vents.

When I went to pick up my plates I told the sales person the problem and he said it was normal. For some reason this doesnt seam normal to mean. No other car I have driven has done this.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

If I'm not mistaken, there is a "fresh air" feature on the S40 that allows you to direct air to your face through the center vents, even though the climate controls are working to warm you.

It's used for keeping drivers awake in cold climates when the warm air from the heater can make you drowsy. By having this venting feature in place, it is supposed to allow cool air to your face while you drive.

I believe the lever in the center stack which is an up and down toggle controls this function. The lever in the blue position allows outside air to vent in; the lever in the red position should shut it off.

That's what works on mine.

i also found this to be true. but it is only that way with vent open. set to recirc and you won't have air coming in. (new v40 owner)

Of the current Volvo line-up, the S/V40s are the only models that I have (also) noticed this.

As far as the air coming in through the vents when the fan is set on "0", the problem is not that the fan is still running. Outside air is rushing through the vents as the car moves. I bet when you stop, nothing comes out of the vents. If this bothers you, then push the RECIRCULATION button and that "problem" will seize.

As far as the difference in temperature when you have everything in "AUTO" rather than the manual mode, that is attributed to the automatic climate control (when in AUTO) that is mixing different amounts of cold and warm air at different times in order to achive as optimally as possible (inside the cabin) the temperature that the computer dictates by what you have set the temperature selector at. When you are on manual mode, that changes. One reason why I do not really like the "AUTO" mode and never use it on either my car or any of my demos.

Lastly, I have no answer about the different amount of air when you have the windows either up or down. Perhaps, someone else can explain this.

Yannis

The reason more air comes in when the windows are opened is the there is now less back pressure. With the window up, the air can come in but can't exit the car easily. Windows down, flow thru.

robert

Right, essentially when the windows are down you're creating a low pressure system in the car versus outside. The low pressure in the car "sucks" air in through the vents. It is especially true if you open the moonroof partially (or all the way). No air comes in through the roof but you'll have a better suction affect through the vents with the AC off.

Happens in most cars. I like it in my Integra in the spring since the air (even with the AC off) is cooled if set in cold mode or warmed if on the hot side of the temp slide lever.

Alberto