July 26, 2020 Lada.Online 58 583 1
All modern LADA cars (Granta, Vesta, Largus, XRAY, 4×4, Niva) are equipped with air conditioners. Among the owners there are many for whom LADA became the first car. In this regard, many questions related to the climate system arise. For example, how to turn on and use the air conditioner correctly or how climate control differs from air conditioning. Answers to questions related to air conditioning can be found in the vehicle's operating manual.
Unlike air conditioning, climate control automatically maintains the desired air temperature in the cabin. Climate control is a system consisting of an air conditioner, a heating system, a filtration system, special sensors located in different places, as well as an electronic climate control unit.
Important Notes
- The air conditioner will turn on only when the engine is running, the interior fan is turned on at any speed and when the outside air temperature is not lower than minus 5 ° C
- When the air conditioner is running, drops of water may appear under the bottom of the car - this removes condensed moisture from the air.
- When the button is pressed, at least one of the central or side nozzles must be open, otherwise the air conditioner evaporator may freeze and cut off the air supply to the cabin.
- It is recommended to direct the air from the ventilation nozzles slightly upward. Do not block the windshield and side window blower nozzles on the instrument panel, as well as the footwell blower nozzles of the front and rear rows of seats with various objects.
- When the car is moving, the heater/air conditioning fan should always be turned on, at least at 2nd speed, to create excess pressure in the cabin in order to prevent dust and dirt from entering through leaks in the body, as well as to avoid fogging up the windows.
- When washing a car, do not turn on the climate system fan.
- When using the air conditioner in conditions of high air humidity and outside temperature from minus 3 ° C to plus 5 ° C, it is recommended to turn on the air conditioner fan at least at speed 3 to avoid freezing of the cooler.
- Do not direct cooled air onto the windshield when the outside air humidity is high! This may cause the glass to fog up or freeze and impair your vision.
- It is not recommended to direct the flow of cooled air onto the face and open areas of the body - this can lead to hypothermia and illness.
- When the air conditioner is operating, the specific fuel consumption increases, because Additional power from the engine is required to drive the compressor.
- Driving in mountainous areas or in difficult road conditions with a trailer may cause the air conditioning compressor to be switched off to prevent engine overheating. In this case, the air entering the cabin will not be cooled. To turn off the air conditioner, press the “air conditioner” button again, the indicator light will go out.
How to check an air conditioner radiator
The condenser (air conditioning radiator) is located in front of the radiator of the engine cooling system. During operation, especially in the summer, it becomes dirty (dirt, midges, fluff, etc.). This leads to a decrease in heat transfer, and as a result, to a decrease in the efficiency of the air conditioner (barely cool air blows).
Checking the condition of the air conditioner radiator comes down to a visual inspection. We inspect it through the lower radiator grille. If it is very dirty, clean the radiator from dirt with compressed air (pressure no more than 3 bar) or with a brush.
About recycling
Recirculation is turned on using handle No. 3 (Granta, Kalina) or by pressing the arrow button in a circle No. 19 (Vesta, XRAY).
- To speed up the heating or cooling of the interior after parking the car, you can turn on the recirculation mode for a short time; after reaching a comfortable temperature or when the windows fog up, you must turn on the supply of fresh air.
- Prolonged use of the recirculation mode may cause the driver to become drowsy or drowsy and result in loss of control. Use recirculation mode only when necessary. It is recommended to preferentially use the supply air mode.
- You cannot sleep in a car with recirculation mode on. This could result in serious injury or death due to reduced oxygen levels in the vehicle interior.
How to use
Recommendations for choosing the operating mode of the air conditioner
:
- During the warm season, it is recommended to direct air to the adjustable central and side nozzles on the instrument panel for better ventilation of the cabin. Set the airflow to medium or high to effectively remove excess heat from the interior. Set the minimum temperature of the incoming air, adjust the temperature if necessary.
- To eliminate fogging of windows, for example in damp weather, it is necessary to direct warm air onto the car windows. Press the or button. Set the air flow speed to medium or maximum to effectively blow the car windows. Set the maximum supply air temperature, adjust the air temperature if necessary. The air supplied to the windows must be warmer than the outside air.
Recommendations for choosing the climate control operating mode:
- To automatically maintain thermal comfort in the cabin, you must turn on the “AUTO” mode. Use the handle to set a comfortable air temperature in the cabin.
- The information display displays the set value of the comfortable air temperature in the cabin. This value is conditional and it will not always be equal to the air temperature in the cabin. The control system automatically regulates the temperature, flow rate and air distribution in the cabin depending not only on the set comfort value, but also on the outside temperature, solar radiation intensity, driving mode and other factors.
- When you press any of the air flow distribution buttons (window, face, legs), the air flow is distributed in accordance with the selected directions. In this case, the control indicator on the “AUTO” button goes out, but the automatic mode is maintained, as evidenced by the absence of the fan symbol and its speed scale on the information indicator;
- When turning on automatic climate control, it is recommended to first set the information display to a value of 22 degrees comfortable temperature (the nominal value approved by most users), regardless of the surrounding conditions or the state of the vehicle (moving, parking). The system works in such a way as to quickly achieve a given level of thermal comfort and subsequently maintain it at a constant level.
- If, with the automatic mode turned on, being in the car for a long time (with the engine running, in motion or parked), you feel excessive heat or cold, change the set value of the comfortable temperature up or down, respectively. Use a small adjustment (±1 degree) to find the most comfortable value for you. It is not recommended to change the value of the set comfortable temperature too often, because the system requires a certain time to reach a given level of thermal comfort.
- If in the “AUTO” mode you set the minimum (LO) or maximum (HI) temperature value on the information display, the control of the air temperature in the cabin will stop and air will be supplied at the minimum or maximum possible temperature. To return to the automatic thermal comfort mode, set the digital temperature value on the information display.
- The minimum (LO) or maximum (HI) temperature mode will not cool or warm up the interior faster after the vehicle is parked. Always use the nominal comfort temperature of 22 degrees to achieve maximum comfort in the cabin as quickly as possible, including after the vehicle has been parked.
“Defrost MAX” mode (on Vesta, XRAY)
— the air conditioning is forcibly turned on (if conditions permit), electric heating of the windshield and rear windows and side rear-view mirrors. The entire air flow is directed to the blower nozzles of the windshield and front side windows, and the maximum speed and air temperature are set.
How to check the efficiency of the LADA car air conditioner
Do you think that the air conditioner does not cool the interior enough in hot weather, does not cope with its task 100% and the air coming from the air ducts is not as cold as you would like? Do not rush to seek help from specialists; first check the efficiency of the air conditioner yourself.
The air conditioning device on all modern LADA cars (XRAY, Vesta, Largus, Granta, Priora, Kalina and Niva 4x4) has no fundamental differences. Therefore, checking its operation is carried out in a similar way. The instructions will also be useful for owners of cars of other brands.
Air conditioner prevention
Before turning on the air conditioner for the first time after purchasing a car, as well as after a break in operation of the air conditioner for 60
days or more
, regardless of the external operating conditions and time of year, it is recommended to carry out preventive maintenance of the air conditioning system:
- start and warm up the engine until the idle speed stabilizes, the air conditioning should be turned off;
- turn on the fan at 6th speed;
- set the minimum cooling temperature;
- select the direction of air flow “into the face”;
- turn on recirculation;
- turn on the air conditioner and let it run for at least 5 minutes at an engine speed of no more than 1200 rpm.
When operating the vehicle in the cold season (winter)
It is recommended that at least once a month at positive outside temperatures (in a warm room, but not lower than +2 °C), preventive maintenance of the air conditioning system according to the algorithm described above.
What is needed to clean the Lada Vesta air conditioner?
The most important thing is the air conditioner cleaner itself. Most often this is a special disinfectant spray or aerosol that is sold in car stores. Since I often service cars and have cleaned the air conditioner more than once, I had no problems choosing a cleaning product.
In general, you can consider these options:
- Conditioner cleaner Liqui Moly Klima Anlagen Reiniger (article 7577)
- StepUP Car air conditioner freshener (SP 5150N)
- StepUP Foam cleaner for car air conditioning (SP 5152)
- StepUP Extension Hose (SP 5154 K)
- Kerry Cleaner and air conditioner freshener 400ml (KR-916)
Liqui Moly is the most expensive option. At the time of writing (08/21/2018), the cost of this cleaner was 1059 rubles. Almost all Liqui Moly chemistry is of the highest quality. But there is not always the opportunity and desire to spend so much money. Then you can consider more budget options - StepUP and Kerry. In essence, StepUP is no different from its analogues. The price is about 400 rubles per cylinder. But there is a significant drawback - the kit does not include a special hose, and it costs about 350 rubles. If you want to service your air conditioner on a budget, then you should go straight to the store for Kerry chemicals. This is our Russian brand, which absolutely anyone can afford. The price per can is about 250 rubles. To be honest, I used all of these liquids and did not have any complaints about them.
We will also need a TORX T20 bit attachment and a tool where to insert it. Here, see for yourself what is convenient for you.
