Auto climate control AC always on

Does anyone else find it odd that when using auto climate control for heat the AC compressor is always on? It could be 40 out and I set it to 68 and the AC goes on. I understand using AC for defrosting and maybe once in awhile in the winter to keep the compressor from freezing up but to always have it on seems like a waste in the winter months. I went into Techstream and you can actually set it so the compressor does not turn on automatically so I did and ill probably turn it back on come summer time but can anyone explain why it might be beneficial to leave it the way it was besides wasting more gas and wear on the compressor?

 

AC reduces humidity

 

Right which is why you'd want to use it for defrosting but humidity helps hold heat and makes you feel warmer. So unless your windows are fogging up you wouldn't want to remove humidity when heating you truck. There must be a reason why Techstream has the option to not turn the compressor on automatically, I'm sure others like it how I have it set also, atleast for the winter. I see you are in Tampa so you'd always want yours on I'd assume but here in New England it doesn't make sense to run the AC all winter.

 

Yup - same here...hate that it's ALWAYS robbing my (I know already crappy) fuel efficiency!

 

I think the AC compressor comes on no matter what in the defrost mode even if ac is not needed or is off. for example If you set the control to floor it won't come on if ac is off.
I can't remember if my Tundra has auto climate control or not but I never use it anyways. The auto climate conyrol in my other car cranks up the fan way up and does bunch of other stupid things so I never use it in any car.

 

Nope AC on ALL THE TIME...no matter where I directionally select the airflow to go. I just want it to keep my temp steady, not choose for me when I do/don't need AC to do that.

 

Keep in mind that just because that A/C light is on, doesn’t mean the compressor is actually engaged. All it means is it can engage the compressor if it feels like it needs it on.

 

....and mold loves humidity.

 

Correct.

On our sr5 once you switch to window air, compressor kicks in even if AC light is off. Atleast mine does, and i agree with OP, sometimes it's kind of irritating

 

Sorry, but what does "window air" mean?

 

5.7 L, it's not going to make a difference.

 

Alll new vehicles are designed that way. But you CAN turn it off, at least on the 2nd Gen Trucks. It'll look like this

then you just push the OFF button:

Then turn the tempuature and fan to where you want it:

What will happen is the A/C will again come on, but you just push the A/C button to turn it off. The recirc button below might also come on but you can likewise turn it off. So you end up like the picture above. Then you can adjust the temperature, the fan, and direct the air air to whatever outlets you want using the mode dial. The A/C will stay off, even when you shut down and restart later.

 

Window air means switching air flow to windshield. Will that clear things for you sir? Or you just being a troll?

 

Lol

 

On my 2020 it's a setting in the head unit. Can't remember what but I changed it so when using auto climate the AC no longer comes on. AC is not needed in the winter months and it was bothering me. Cold dry outside air coupled with being heated makes AC unnecessary

 

On mine if the AC button is on the compressor is on, you can hear the difference.

Must have been something they added to the head unit options for 2020, the 2019 I needed to use TechStream unless I missed the option somewhere.

 

I'll take a picture of the page or process on my 2020 for anyone who might not know our to check on previous model years

 

I was very serious. Thanks for the clarification. I had not heard that terminology before and was unclear.

 

In order. 2020 tundra

 

Thanks, just tried on my 19DC Limited,only have lights/door locks on last page.

 

Same