With this system you can control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for the
vehicle.
Automatic Operation
Vehicles With Heated and Ventilated Seats Shown, Vehicles Without Similar
AUTO (Automatic): When this button is pressed and the temperature
is set, the system will automatically control the inside temperature, the air delivery
mode, the air conditioning compressor, and the fan speed. AUTO will appear on the
display next to the fan, mode indicators, and recirculation indicator if your vehicle
has a air quality sensor.
- Press the AUTO button.
- Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting, generally, between 70°F
(21°C) and 80°F (27°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool any faster. If the system is set
at the warmest temperature setting, the system will try to continuously heat the vehicle
and will not adjust the system down as the vehicle warms up.
In cold weather, the system can start at reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing
cold air into the vehicle until warmer air is available. The system starts out blowing
air at the floor, but can automatically change modes as the vehicle warms up to maintain
the chosen temperature setting. The length of time needed for warm up depends on the
outside temperature and the length of time that has elapsed since the vehicle was
last driven.
- Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from 10 to 30 minutes.
Then adjust the temperature, if necessary.
You can switch from English to metric units through the Driver Information Center
(DIC). See
DIC Controls and Displays
.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the air, so some water might
drip underneath the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This is
normal.
Manual Operation
(Mode): Pressing the mode switch
and changing the mode cancels automatic operation and allows the operator to manually
select the air delivery location. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation.
The outboard air outlets always receive airflow regardless of the mode selected.
See
Outlet Adjustment
to change this airflow
from the outboard outlets.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
(Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument panel
outlets.
(Bi-Level): This mode directs about half of the air
to the instrument panel outlets, and then directs most of the remaining air to the
floor outlets. In automatic operation, cooler air is directed to the upper outlets
and warmer air to the floor outlets.
(Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the floor
outlets with some air directed to the outboard outlets, and a little air directed
to the windshield and side windows.
The mode switch can also be used to
select the defog mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can be found later
in this section.
(Fan): Press this switch to increase
or decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch cancels automatic operation and allows
the operator to manually select the amount of airflow. Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation.
If the airflow seems low when the fan speed is at the highest
setting, the passenger compartment air filter may need to be replaced. For more information,
see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
and
Scheduled Maintenance
.
(Recirculation): Press this button to control the
air source for the climate control system. If in AUTO mode, press this button once
to select recirculation. This mode keeps outside air from coming in the vehicle and
recirculates the air in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle or to help cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.
Recirculation is not available in the defrost mode and shuts off when
defog mode is selected. Both of these features are designed to limit fogging in the
vehicle. If recirculation is selected during defog mode, it automatically turns off
after 10 minutes to limit problems with fogging.
In some conditions, using recirculation for long periods of time can cause the
air inside the vehicle to become too dry or stuffy. To prevent this from happening,
after the air in the vehicle has cooled, select AUTO to return to automatic climate
control operation or push the recirculation button again to select outside air.
Press this button a second time to select outside air.
(Outside Air): This mode forces the system to pull
air from outside the vehicle. It can be used to bring fresh air into the vehicle.
Air Quality Sensor: Your vehicle could have an air quality sensor
to help limit the climate control system from pulling in some harmful exhaust fumes
from older, poorly running, or diesel-equipped vehicles that are driving near you.
This sensor, when active, monitors the air quality in front of your vehicle and switches
to air recirculation when poor quality air is detected outside your vehicle. Press
the AUTO button on the climate control to activate the air quality sensor. The word
AUTO comes on the center of the climate control display. While the air quality sensor
senses poor quality air, the recirculation graphic displays.
Under some
conditions, the air quality sensor system does not operate. In cold weather, the system
might not be active (even if AUTO is displayed) because of concerns of fogging your
windows, which may occur by activating recirculation mode. Also, the air quality sensor
system does not remain in recirculation mode for extended periods of time that could
cause stuffy or very dry conditions in the vehicle. Following a poorly running vehicle
for an extended period of time may not keep recirculation active indefinitely.
The air quality sensor does not activate due to organic odors, like skunk, and
may not activate on many chemical-related odors. If you wish to limit these types
of odors, manually select recirculation. Your vehicle could also have a charcoal filter
that can limit many odors from being pulled into your vehicle. This filter, like your
engines air cleaner filter, needs to be changed periodically. See
Scheduled Maintenance
. The air quality sensor system does not protect
against carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell. See
Engine Exhaust
.
(Power Driver's Temperature): Press the power button
located on the driver's side of the climate control panel to turn the entire climate
control system on or off. Turn the knob to increase or decrease the temperature inside
the vehicle.
(Power Passenger's Temperature): Press the power button
located on the passenger's side of the climate control panel to turn the passenger's
climate control system on if they wish to have a different setting than the driver.
Turn the knob to increase or decrease the temperature for the front passenger. Turning
the passenger's side power button off will not shut off the climate control system
for the passenger. The system is set to the same setting as the driver.
(Ventilated Seat): Press this button, to turn on
the driver or passenger's side ventilated seat, if the vehicle has this feature. See
Heated and Ventilated Seats
.
(Heated Seat): Press this button, to turn on the driver
or passenger's side heated seat and seatback, if the vehicle has this feature. See
Heated and Ventilated Seats
.
(Air Conditioning): Press this button to manually turn
off the air conditioning compressor. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation or
press the A/C OFF button again. To limit fogging on the windshield, the air conditioning
compressor cannot be off while in the defrost mode.
Sensors
There is a solar sensor located on the instrument panel, near the windshield.
There is also an interior temperature sensor located next to the steering wheel
on the instrument panel.
These sensors monitor the solar radiation and the air inside the vehicle, then
use the information to adjust the temperature, the fan speed and the air delivery
system, in order to maintain the selected temperature. The system may also supply
cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. Do not cover the sensors or
the automatic climate control system will not work properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity (moisture) condensing
on the cool window glass. This can be minimized if the climate control system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog from the windshield. Use the defog mode
to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode
to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
(Mode): Press this button until
defog appears on the display.
(Defog): This mode directs the air between
the windshield and floor outlets with some air supplied to the outboard panel outlets
and side window defogging outlets. When this mode is selected, the system turns off
recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature
is at or below freezing. The recirculation mode is cancelled when the system enters
the defog mode. If recirculation is selected while in the defog mode, it is cancelled
after 10 minutes.
If there is fogging on the side windows, remain in defog
or defrost mode until they clear.
(Defrost): Press this button to direct most of the
air to the windshield, with some air directed to the side windows and outboard panel
outlets. In this mode, the system automatically turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
Recirculation cannot be selected while in the defrost mode.
This mode
can also cause the fan speed and air temperature to increase.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog or frost from the
rear window.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition is on or during remote
start, if programmed. See "Personal Settings Menu" under
Vehicle Personalization
for additional information.
(Rear Window Defogger): Press this button to turn
the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible.
The rear window defogger turns off about 10 minutes after the button is pressed.
If the vehicle's speed is above 30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger stays on
continuously. If turned on again, the defogger only runs for about five minutes before
turning off. The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the button again or by
turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors also heat to help clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger is on. See
Outside Power Heated Mirrors
.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside
rear window. Do not adhere anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.