Climate control?

[FiveLittleFish]

Hope I can get an understanding on here on air con and the differences between cars.

We have an A2 Sport Tdi, with climate control. The missus wants a new car, so we're looking at the Golf Plus which has Semi Automatic Air Con.

What is the difference? Is the A2 fully auto, whatever that means? What will she notice that's different?

Thanks...

[herusix]

Climate control will heat or cool the interior of the car to a programmed temp(ie.22C) and keep it there.

Whereas Air con acts just like a normal car heater when used for heat and will just get colder & colder when used for cooling.

(Thats my understanding anyway)

Not sure how semi auto works?

[ULP]

As noted, climate control maintains the pre-set temperature regardless of external conditions (unless, of course, it is cold outside, the engine is cold and there is no source of heat) - it does this by controlling the chiller and fan-speed.

Normal air conditioning is simply a case of turning on the chiller and then regulating yourself with the heater control and fan speed to get a desired temperature

Semi-automatic air conditioning, as used by most Volkswagon's and modern Skoda's, is a marketing ploy. Essentially, it gives you the opportunity to select a temperature (you will notice the usual blue-red gradings are replaced with temperature digits) but still requires the occupant to select the correct fan-speed; only by controlling both items can the interior climate be maintained.

For example, on semi-auto if it's 25C outside and the interior of the car is hot, just by selecting 18C alone nothing will happen to overcome the heat gain if the fan-speed is minimal - you'd need to increase the fan speed to move a specific amount of chilled-air into the car in order to remove the heat.

It's just VW-speak for 'numbers on the temperature gauge rather than red and blue lines'

EDIT: (Masogonistic hat on) Your wife won't notice any difference as it is impossible for women to comprehend climate control - the whole point is set a temperature and leave it there and the car will sort it out as soon as possible. How many women get into a cold car and, despite the climate being set to 22C still turn it right up, then moan about it getting hot and turning it down?

:) ;)

[FiveLittleFish]

As noted, climate control maintains the pre-set temperature regardless of external conditions (unless, of course, it is cold outside, the engine is cold and there is no source of heat) - it does this by controlling the chiller and fan-speed.
'

Thanks for the explanation - that was really easy to understand. So the A2 we have - does that have proper "climate control" ??

[ULP]

Thanks for the explanation - that was really easy to understand. So the A2 we have - does that have proper "climate control" ??

Yes it does - something that controls both fan speed and chiller/ heater performance is full climate, which the A2 system does.

[Havank]

Yes it does - something that controls both fan speed and chiller/ heater performance is full climate, which the A2 system does.


Only if you leave it on AUTO :D:D

[FiveLittleFish]

Thanks all!!

[FiveLittleFish]

EDIT: (Masogonistic hat on) Your wife won't notice any difference as it is impossible for women to comprehend climate control - the whole point is set a temperature and leave it there and the car will sort it out as soon as possible. How many women get into a cold car and, despite the climate being set to 22C still turn it right up, then moan about it getting hot and turning it down?
:) ;)

Ha ha - unfortunately she does comprehend the idea, all too well. It's kind of hard to explain why it costs so much as an option on the cars we are now looking at, when it was a standard on the A2.
The old saying is true - you don't miss something until it's gone...

[ULP]

It's kind of hard to explain why it costs so much as an option on the cars we are now looking at, when it was a standard on the A2.

The problem is you are looking at a VW, and if anybody knows how to charge for extras it is VW/Audi. The same upgrade, including a centre armrest with fridge, can be had on an Octavia for about £450 and upgrading to duel-zone climate from A/C on a Pug 308, for example, is only £250.

A big problem with the Golf Plus is that it hasn't had the equipment improvements the Golf hatch has received, so the Golf Match has about £1200 more stuff than the SE it replaced, the latter still comparable to the Golf Plus SE - by the time you've added leather wheel, iPod connector, remote stereo controls, electric rear windows the Plus looks expensive, oh and if you want the 1.4TFSI engine then spec-for spec, it's £2,500 more than the 1.6FSI.

Personally, if you want more space and a few luxuries, I'd be tempted by a last-of-the-line Peugeot 307SW 2.0HDI SE (136bhp); loaded with goodies, ride to shame any Audi/ VW and no-less reliable than a Golf... I really rate the 307SW, although no doubt people assume French = rubbish; my opinion on German built quality v French build quality say's otherwise...

[FiveLittleFish]

We've been looking at both the Golf Plus and a Merc A Class. If you think VAG are bad on extras, take a look at a Merc brochure!

Anyway, after a lot of conversations today with the missus, she's decided she can't bear to let the A2 go, so we're keeping it for another year!

I'm quite pleased actually...

[herusix]

"ULP" Jusr read the bit regarding women and climate control.......Do you know my wife as that is so true.

I've lost count of how many times I've tried to explain it too her ,but when its cold she insists on cranking it up to full and then complaining its too hot.

I've tried likening it too Central heating in a house and how the room thermostat controls the heating kicking in/off.

Still no joy getting her to understand.:-(

[ULP]

Still no joy getting her to understand.:-(

Some people say it's the 'fun bits' that seperate men and women, but I'd like to think it's more to do with comprehending climate control.

It must have been something to do with our discovery of fire many years ago - it's better to accept it than try to understand why; many a man has gone mad doing so...

A chap I know is actively looking for a car with air con rather than climate 'cos he's sick of the arguments with his wife when she gets in the car and slaps it up to the max only to moan about being too hot or too cold.