Is there a way to force the vent distribution to use the dash and floor while in automatic climate control?

I went through the owner's manual and could not figure this out. With automatic climate control ON, my ventilation system blows air through the floor and defroster ducts 99% of the time. On several occasions, it has blown air through the dashboard (~90%) and floor (~10%) vents. My wife and I purchased a 2016 Ford Edge a few weeks ago. I have experienced the same thing on one occasion. I would prefer to vent through the dash using automatic climate control on occasion. However, I cannot locate any discussion or button operation that switches to this mode nor understand why both vehicles do randomly vent in this mode.

 

Pretty sure it's not switchable once you hit the auto button.

Not really what you wanted to hear I'm sure but once you hit the dash/floor button it will blow out at the temp you have set but it won't change the fan speed like it will when you have it in "auto"

I had a car in the past that had "full auto" which was like the ford's "auto" but you could also set it in "auto" which held a temperature and regulated fan speed for the output method I wanted - which sounds like what you want...but to my knowledge that's not possible. Sorry I didn't have a better answer for you but that's what I've seen with mine so far.

I've got a 2015 lariat f150 - which I would assume would have the same climate controls as the 16.

 

You hit on the main reason that I strongly dislike ACC. When I bought my F-150, I made sure that it did NOT have it. I want to determine which vents, and fan speed, myself. On my 2010 Fusion I always use manual mode.

 

You can put the system in Automatic and then select the vents you'd like to be open. The system will then automatically control the temperature and fan speed, but not the vent positions.


I do this all the time in the summer.


-John

 

I stand corrected...

Good to know - I think I had always gotten impatient and started adjusting the fan once I hit the vent I wanted open.

Thanks!

 

Glad I could help


Just beware the recirculation feature. It seems to want to turn on a lot in the summer, to save on A/C parasitic losses, I'd imagine. Unlike previous vehicles I've had, the F-150 doesn't allow for automatic climate control with independent recirc actuation.


-John

 

"AUTO" does cycle between fresh air and recurc, depending on feed back from various HVAC sensors. But I get at you are saying, I too would like to control recurc myself all while in "AUTO".

I also hate that I can't control the A/C compressor myself in AUTO, windshield....In the winter I want heat on my windshield, but I need the A/C to dry that air. I can drive 95% of the time in the winter without the compressor. I stopped using windshield only or windshield and floor to avoid compressor operation. Floor only mode sends enough air to the windshield. Don't be fooled, even if the "A/C" button is not lit up, doesn't mean the A/C compressor is not making pressure, as our compressors are technically always spinning, just varying in load depending pressure request from HVAC.


My wife's VW auto HVAC has 2 recurc options, regular and auto recurc. I can also fully control the A/C compressor, A/C button not lit up or pressed to turn off, actually means the compressor is not making pressure. In AUTO, windshield mode...

 

I understand how the system works based upon the owner's manual. The confusing part to me is why it randomly blows through the dash vents when AUTO is selected. If I select AUTO and manually select one of the vent modes on the dash the AUTO light goes out. I was not aware that the temperature **** still worked. Good to know.

 

The random air through the vent is most likely the doors moving to change the direction of the air momentarily going through "dash" mode to another mode. I feel air momentarily coming out of the dash sometimes too.

 

Mine switches to the dash vents when it tries to cool it off to the desired temperature you have set. This also occurs during the cooler season (now), especially when it is sunny and the sun hits the sensor on top of the dash. Not very pleasant when you get cold air coming out of the dash all over sudden.


I keep it on Auto most of the time except when that happens.