My 2017 Subaru Crosstrek has always had very wimpy air conditioning, ever since I bought it brand new. When you first start it up, it blows room temperature, barely cool air until you get on the highway and drive a few miles. It doesn’t really get cold until you’ve been driving 10-15 minutes. It makes for an uncomfortable start to every trip in the summer, but I assumed it was just a crummy design and lived with it.
Well, the other day I started my car and noticed grey smoke billowing out of the exhaust. I was alarmed - this has never happened before - and at the same time, the AC started blowing ice cold air. Right after starting the car! The smoke stopped after about 30 seconds and the car drove fine for that trip, with great, ice cold air conditioning.
It hasn’t happened again. My AC is back to being… extremely lame. But now that I know it can be good, it’s got me thinking: what caused this puff of smoke followed by amazingly cool AC? Could the two be connected?
Has anyone ever experienced anything similar!?
Any ideas are welcome, no matter how crazy they might be…
Cool damp weather? What was the outside temperature and humidity level that day?
One crazy one b/c I have no idea if there’s any basis to the thought.
Are you familiar with the “SI Drive” options - I believe they are “intelligent,” “sport,” and “sport sharp.” If you don’t know about it, check the owner’s manual. I’ve never owned/driven a Subaru with those driving options, so I can’t say anything for sure about the “default.” But it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s “I” mode. “I” mode maximizes on fuel efficiency. The A/C system is a load on the engine that, under many conditions reduces fuel efficiency. Once again, I don’t know the specifics, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the A/C system is basically “held back” under certain conditions in “I” mode to aid in fuel efficiency.
I do know that my 2013 Prius does this in “Eco” mode (similar to “I”).
So…the thought - maybe you’re always in “I” mode. But something about the conditions on that day had the computer put it into sport or sport sharp mode (which it will likely do if necessary for some reasons - RTM). Thus the AC was not being held back on that trip.
If you are usually in “I” mode, switch it to sport and see what happens with the AC.
The puff of smoke is weird, but if there was some glitch that day, then…who knows?
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I believe it was hot and humid that day. Maybe less hot than some other recent days, but still hot, I think.
Oh wow, great idea. I’ll check the manual and see if my car has these modes. I honestly can’t remember!
Out of curiosity, have you measured the temperature of the air coming out of the vents a few minutes after starting the car? On the last three cars where I’ve done this, that temperature has been in the mid-40s when the outside temperature is around 80, so I’d say that’s roughly what you should be seeing as well. If you’re not, maybe you should visit a specialized A/C shop.
…grey smoke billowing out of the exhaust…at the same time, the AC started blowing ice cold air.
This will get explained right after we fix the weather.
?? Have no idea what you are trying to say.
Pushing a political view… His 2nd attempt at it… The other attempt was removed…