Okay, I'm having a problem here. I've been told to not drive with the ac on because it lowers gas mileage. So I drive it with the ac off and the air circulator off(What ever the button next to it is) and the fan push off and the cold-hot pushed to hot. How ever the buttons above the cold-hot meter, 1 is always on. I cant turn them off. So my car is always blowing hot air in even though the fan is set to off. is there anyway to turn off the little buttons? it seems one is always lit up blowing hot air in.

 

Sorry for bump, I just got a long drive tommrow(200 miles) and Just want to make sure it wont kill my milleage like having the AC on. I can live with hot air seeping out if it cant be turned off.

 

Im pretty sure there isn't a way to cut the air flowing, unless you wanted to block the vents maybe? I've removed my AC compressor, pump, yada yada, and air still flows through.

 

I think myth busters shot down that myth. If your windows are up and closed, and your ac on full blast you make a little more MPG than if you had it off and your windows down. But I might just be making that up.

 

Ya maybe due to drag at 65 MPH but IDK...
I always have air coming from my vents even when I turn it off. Just put it on the feet only, you won't really feel it. And I'm pretty sure you can turn the dial to cool without the AC on and it won't affect gas mileage. It will still be warm air but not as hot as having the bar all the way on heat.

 

Alright this was the answer I was looking for i think, heres a pic i took to make sure u guys get what im saying.

Red is to show the light is on, since the flash got in the way. So theres no way to turn them off, One always has to be pushed in. If not I guess ill jsut set it to feet and hope I dont notice it.

 

Gee Whiz ! You have got to be kidding, Huh ? Is your comfort worth something ? The difference between your MPG with the AC off is almost undetectable, Perhaps 10 to 15 miles on a tank of gas. The reason for this is the fact that the AC Compressor is "ROTARY" (not like the engine) in design and compared to the old PISTON type of AC Compressors there is much less resistance.

Without the AC you most likely buy enough Gatorade ($$$$$ wise) to keep the thirst down than the gas you would use if you used the AC. Live a little, enjoy the AC, plus it will deteriorate from non use and have to be replaced. In cold weather you need it to keep condensation off the windows (Yes, it runs when the heater is on just for that).

I could go on and on, but you should have the picture.

 

The highlighted switches only control the air mix motor, which just changes the ducting inside the dash to change the direction in which the fan's output blows.

The "Cold - Hot" slider underneath controls the electric motor that opens and closes the heater valve, the blue side closes the valve while the red side opens it. This allows engine coolant to enter the heater core inside the dash. Leave it "Cold" for normal driving. (Note: If you need more engine cooling, you can move the slider to red, and turn on the fan, it's like a second radiator.)

The other slider controls the fan speed.

As for the other buttons, I never messed with them because my AC is removed anyway.

 

Running the air conditioner does reduce gas mileage. However, driving with your windows down also reduces gas mileage starting at about 30 mph. At highway speeds the increased drag from lowered windows will cause the gas mileage to decrease to just about the same level as if you were driving with the AC on and the windows rolled up. Therefore, it's just about equal either way.

Driving with the heater turned on will not increase gas mileage by a significant amount, unless you consider that you will sweat off a few pounds and therefore make the car a little lighter, lol. You are just torturing yourself.

The electric blower motor doesn't reduce gas mileage by a significant amount, so you can run the heater or the vent (A/C button off) at any airspeed and still get good gas mileage with the windows up.

Your best bet for highway gas mileage if it's moderately warm outside:
Temperature selector: Set all the way to blue (cold)
Recirculate button: Off
A/C button: Off
Blower speed: As desired
Windows: Up

More ways to save gas on the highway:
Accelerate and decelerate very gradually.
Drive with the windows fully up - do not even leave a crack open.
Drive at 55mph rather than 75mph.
Ensure the tires are at the proper pressure.